There's nothing like personal experience to learn what others might need. And, if that need isn't being fully met, count on Cornell students to find a way.

Take Sara Furguson '10, who suffered a high-level spinal cord injury from a head-on automobile collision that paralyzed her from the neck down at age 3.

"I do everything with my chin and mouth (driving my chair, computer, etc.). Regardless of having no arm [or leg] movement, I have learned to do just about everything, but in a different way," says Furguson, who also uses a ventilator and relies on family to help her with daily needs.

Cornell has done a "fantastic job" in accommodating her needs, from scanning her books into her computer so that she can use a digital pen in her mouth to do her work to providing CU Lift, a shuttle service that helps her get around campus.

"However, even the most insignificant physical disability can make day-to-day activities challenging," says Furguson, who is interning full time this semester at a law firm in Rochester and is on track to graduate from the ILR School next December. The "simplest tasks can take most of an injured or disabled student's time, which makes for unnecessary stress."

To help other injured or disabled students, Furguson has founded and is president of a student-based organization called Disabilities Service Team (DST), whose members volunteer to help those with temporary or long-term disabilities with daily tasks.

"Members of the DST can help by getting groceries, walking with someone to class or a job, pushing one's wheelchair, picking up or returning library materials, or doing anything else that may be difficult," says Furguson. For example, earlier this month a volunteer helped with doing laundry for someone requesting this service and a student who had injured her back asked for help carrying her backpack, Furguson says.

Furguson decided to set up this service after joining the Cornell Union for Disability Awareness (CUDA), which strives to educate students about disabilities by doing volunteer activities in the Ithaca community and by presenting informational events and speakers on campus. She and several other students in CUDA worked with their adviser, Kappy Fahey, director of Student Disability Services, to get the support of Gannett Health Services, the Public Service Center, Cornell Tradition and the Undergraduate Student Assembly for this volunteer service.

"As someone with a disability, I was able to pinpoint what types of services to offer and target the appropriate audiences," Furguson says. "Instead of excluding those with temporary disabilities, we expanded the program to include both permanent and temporary conditions. Generally, we provide a helping hand to those who may need assistance with the activities that most of us take for granted. Our mission is to make the simple tasks less challenging so that students or faculty located in Ithaca can focus on more important things."

With 20 volunteers already on hand, the DST started advertising in January and has set up a Web site, http://disabilitiesserviceteam.blogspot.com/, for those interested in volunteering or requesting assistance.

"The response from those interested in volunteering has been great," Furguson says. The focus now is on getting the word out so that those who can use assistance know where to find it.

"I have always been active in disability and human rights issues, and I see this service as a way to give all students a fair opportunity to succeed at Cornell," she says. "The simplest tasks in daily life should never prevent one from living his or her life to the fullest.

"My hope is that DST will become a widely used service and will continue for many years to come. I feel that DST offers a service that will improve the college experience for all students."