Systems Unlimited is dedicated to not only growth within the organization but also cultivating change and providing knowledge to the community as well. In 2019, a collaboration was born between biology professor John R Manak and Systems Unlimited’s Supported Living Coordinator, Josh Super. This partnership was created because of the desire to connect University of Iowa students with the people we serve.
In Professor Manak’s genetics class, students learn about the types of genes that are associated with physical and mental disabilities. As a biology professor, it is not his job to teach inclusion to his students, but he decided to take on that mission anyway. Each year, Josh Super rounds up volunteers willing to share their testimonies about living with a disability to the biology class on campus. This semester, Kevin Kolsto, Scott W. and Brian B. have all shared their stories with the class. The stories shared by each individual are raw and display the genuine nature of the people here at Systems. Josh stated that “Stories are a way that people connect”, and he has seen it firsthand throughout this experience. When he listens to people share about their disabilities, he also witnesses the students in the class open up to ask questions and engage with people they haven’t interacted with before.
Josh also began a collaboration with another University of Iowa class called, “Characteristics of Disabilities” taught by a former staff, Ashley Rila. Steve Oulman went with Josh to be a guest lecturer recently. Steve stated he liked talking to the class and teaching others about his experiences at Systems. He let them know about not liking services at first but was able to gain the skills to be in his own apartment with limited supervision. He likes that much better and is grateful for what he has learned here.
Through this mutually beneficial collaboration of both classes, students are able to gain a new perspective and put themselves in the shoes of an individual who is living with a disability. On the flip slide, the adults we serve have the opportunity to connect to a new community of people. This partnership is one of the many ways Systems Unlimited works to educate and connect with the community around us.
