In a gesture of inclusion and experiential learning, The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology's Hospitality Management Program students recently put together a free dinner event dedicated to individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other disabilities — a worthy initiative that speaks to the heart of community engagement and education. Held at Lower.com Field’s event suite in downtown Columbus, the event, dubbed Hospitality Listens, aimed to provide a welcoming environment for guests, according to a statement obtained by Ohio State News.
Annemarie Turpin, a Clinical Assistant Professor at EHE, elaborated on the purpose behind the event: “It started out as an opportunity for our students to learn about autism spectrum disorder and how to design more inclusive events for children, adults and their families,” according to Ohio State News. The event also included considerate amenities like a quiet room for moments away from sensory stimulation. Unexpectedly, the students received hands-on service through their roles as planners and servers while managing activities like family-favorite cornhole.
As reported by Ohio State News, to prepare for the event, students underwent training with the Many Faces of Autism course offered by OCALI. The course provided insight into a variety of aspects associated with autism, from communication challenges to sensory processing nuances. This primed the students for a better understanding and interaction with the event’s attendees.
Erik Porfeli, chair of the EHE Department of Human Sciences and the incoming dean, emphasized the educational benefit for the students: “This event aims to teach our students how to create a genuinely inclusive evening for families facing a diversity of great opportunities along the way,” according to Ohio State News. His comments underscore the importance of aligning academic study with pragmatic, real-world applications, especially for those students on the planning committee who gained anecdotal exposure to comprehensive customer service.
Adding a personal perspective, Danielle Johnson, a senior in the hospitality management program and part of the planning committee, conveyed her experience to Ohio State News, "This event has made a real impact on me in how I communicate and interact with others. It has taught me what it truly means to think of all communities." Similarly, Sophia Peacock, also a senior and event volunteer, highlighted the practical benefits, "Getting that practical experience before you graduate is always going to help. When you gain experience working with people from different backgrounds, you are better prepared to step into the real world and more competitive in the future."
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