From Awareness to Action: Darden Disability Alliance Promotes Accessibility and Belonging

In her role as president of the Darden Disability Alliance, Seiver Jorgensen (Class of 2025) is doing her part to help the student organization have a lasting impact on the Darden School of Business and beyond.

“At its core, DDA is about creating a space where students feel they belong,” Jorgensen said.

Whether disabilities are visible or invisible, the organization, which was founded last spring, encourages students to share their experiences openly. Beyond formal meetings, it strives to create informal moments of connection – whether over coffee or in casual gatherings – where students can support one another.

“We want to make Darden feel like home for every student,” she said.

President of DDA, Seiver Jorgensen

Jorgensen recounted one anecdote with a personal connection that gave her an indication that the DDA’s focus is helping. During a conversation with a classmate earlier this year, Jorgensen, who is autistic and has ADHD, was struck by a simple but telling observation.

“It feels like this first-year class has more people with ADHD than ever before,” she recalled the classmate saying.

Jorgensen smiled and responded, “No, there are just more people who feel comfortable talking about it.”

The moment captures the essence of the DDA’s mission: creating an environment where students can fully express themselves without fear of judgment or stigma.

Christie Julien, Darden’s senior assistant dean and chief community and connection officer, emphasized the impact of Jorgensen’s leadership in founding the DDA.

“Seiver’s advocacy has resulted in tangible benefits, not only for students with disabilities but for the entire Darden community. Her work securing volunteers to read cases for Global Economics and Markets was a hallmark of true leadership, bringing together faculty, program teams, and students to create accessible recordings for First Year students,” Julien said. “This effort immediately enhanced learning and set the stage for future investments in inclusive resources.”

DDA’s work can be broken down into three pillars: community building, professional development and advocacy.

Jorgensen said the organization prepares members for professional success by equipping them with the tools to advocate for their needs in the workplace. “It’s essential that students know how to ask for the accommodations they need, whether they’re interviewing or already on the job,” she said. Through workshops, networking events, and partnerships, the DDA fosters conversations around disability-inclusive hiring practices.

The DDA’s work isn’t limited to students – it also involves shaping how disability is understood.

“We need to shift perceptions of disabilities – not just at Darden but across industries,” Jorgensen said.

Through ongoing collaboration with faculty, administrators, and other business schools, the DDA advocates for practical accommodations like standing desks and case recordings, creating more inclusive environments for learning and engagement. The club’s participation in diversity conferences and women’s symposiums ensures that disability inclusion is part of broader conversations.

Normalizing Conversations, Shifting Culture

What’s most exciting to Jorgensen is seeing the culture evolve.

“These challenges have always existed,” she said. “What’s different now is that students feel safe enough to talk about them. When we talk about these things, we empower others to do the same.”

As DDA members gain confidence in self-advocacy, Jorgensen said, they carry these lessons forward, helping to shape future workplaces where inclusivity and belonging are the norm.

“It’s not just about our time at Darden,” she said. “It’s about creating lasting change in business culture.”