Empathy in Action: A DeSales Senior’s Vision for Inclusion Becomes a Campus Movement
When Adam Perone was a sophomore at DeSales University, he and two classmates recognized the need for a space where students with disabilities could connect, find support, and help others better understand their lived experiences. Now a graduating senior majoring in Criminal Justice, Perone has spent the past two years transforming that realization into meaningful action.
At the end of his sophomore year, Perone founded the Differently Abled Group (DAG) alongside classmates Evan Colburn and Sophia Keddie. The group’s name was chosen intentionally.
“A lot of people in the disability community don’t like being labeled,” Perone explained. “We wanted something neutral and inviting.”
The acronym DAG struck that balance by being welcoming, accessible, and designed without stigma.
The idea grew organically from conversations among his classmates. Keddie shared that she wished a group like DAG had existed when she first arrived on campus. Recognizing the gap, the group made it their mission to fill it.
DAG began with monthly meetings structured as a support group. During each gathering, a plush bulldog was passed around the room as a simple but powerful gesture giving each participant the opportunity to speak openly. Students shared personal challenges, offered feedback, and felt genuinely heard. For many, the circle became a lifeline.
“There’s always a cascading effect,” Perone reflected. “You never really know the impact you’re going to have.”
From there, DAG expanded beyond its meetings into campuswide educational and awareness events aimed at closing the gap between sympathy and true empathy.
This spring, the group hosted Mobility Matters: Empathy in Action, an event focused on wheelchair awareness. Perone led a presentation speaking from his own experience and addressed common stereotypes and misconceptions, reframing the conversation around empathy. Drawing on the work of researcher Brené Brown, he reminded attendees that empathy isn’t about “walking in someone else’s shoes,” but about listening deeply to the person wearing them. Students then took part in hands‑on activities, navigating wheelchairs through obstacles to gain a deeper understanding of challenges many individuals face every day.
Last fall, DAG presented Discovering Deafness: Etiquette and Empathy, where participants learned respectful etiquette, experienced a hearing‑aid demonstration simulating varying degrees of hearing loss, and practiced signing their names in American Sign Language. The event was hosted in collaboration with fellow student, Janae Topor, who shared her expertise on the culture of the Deaf and hard‑of‑hearing community.
DAG’s impact has been amplified by strong campus support. Carolyn Tiger, director of student accessibility, has been among the group’s most enthusiastic champions, helping extend its reach through the Office of Student Accessibility.
“Adam is the vision behind DAG and has been the driving force from day one,” Tiger said. “He didn’t just create a space; he sparked a movement. His passion turned challenges into community, giving others the opportunity to belong, lead, and be seen.”
As Perone prepares to continue into DeSales’ 4+1 graduate program, pursuing his master’s degree through May 2027, he is focused on ensuring that DAG’s work will endure.
“Awareness of accessibility will always be necessary,” Perone said. “Living with a disability is an ongoing journey, and there will always be a need.”
“At DeSales, DAG creates opportunities for differently abled students to not just participate, but to reshape the community,” Tiger added. “Their perspectives challenge assumptions, expand empathy, and remind us that inclusion isn’t an accommodation; it’s a source of strength that makes everyone’s education richer. As our Salesian mission calls us to welcome, accompany, and uplift every person, DAG’s purpose is to build a more compassionate campus.”