On March 31, Lindenwood University students put their problem-solving skills to the test in a unique, hands-on experience during the fourth edition of the “Amazing Race: Ability Edition.” Inspired by the popular reality TV show and designed to combine competition with education, aiming to raise awareness for disability, accessibility, and adaptability.
Before the race began, keynote speaker Kelsey O’Connor addressed the participants, speaking about identity, resilience, and the importance of looking beyond labels. Reflecting on her own experiences as a former Division I athlete forced to medically retire after facing a life-changing brain injury. Reflecting on her own experiences, O’Connor emphasized how easy it is to become tied to one’s role or achievements.
“So much of who I was used to be tied to my sport,” O’Connor said. “But you have to measure yourself not on your title, but who you are.”
She also highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding, reminding students that not all challenges are visible.
“A lot of the issues people face aren’t visible,” O’Connor said. That’s why how you choose to treat others matters; it’s about who you want ot be as a person.”
O’Connor encouraged participants to define success on their own terms.
“I decided I was going to measure success by who I wanted to be,” she said. “Everything else was just a bonus.”
Following the keynote, 14 teams, each comprising 4-6 participants, competed in challenges
across the Lindenwoods campus. Each activity simulated a different type of disability, encouraging participants to step outside their comfort zones and gain a deeper understanding of the barriers others may face.
The event was a collaborative effort between Phi Sigma Sigma, the Kinesiology Club, and the Psychology Interest Club, bringing together multiple organizations to promote awareness and inclusivity. Participants took on a variety of challenges designed to simuate different disabilities, including answering questions using only sign language, playing basketball and moving around campus with a wheelchair to navigate mobility limitations, reading phrases with scrambled letters to mimic the experience of dyslexia, putting clothes with their non-dominant arm to understand limb differences, and walking around campus while blindfolded to experience the challenges of impaired vision.
The event highlighted a central message: having a disability does not mean a person is unable to participate in everyday activities; it simply means those activities may require adaptation.
For many participants, the experience offered a new perspective on accessibility and inclusion. Isa, a first-generation university student and resident at Lindenwood who works for student involvement, said the challenges were eye-opening.
“Honestly, seeing how difficult these challenges are with different disabilities is really eye-opening; it’s like walking in someone else’s shoes,” said Isa.
Another student, Alve, emphasized the broader impact of the event.
“This should be a mandatory event every year to bring awareness, Alve said.
Beyond competition, the event served as a learning experience for students, faculty, and staff. It not only emphasized the importance of inclusivity but also revealed how campus environments can present unexpected challenges for individuals with disabilities.
By combining interactive activities with meaningful discussions, Lindenwood’s Amazing Race: Ability Edition continues to promote awareness and foster a more inclusive campus community, encouraging participants to look beyond limitations and focus on adaptability, understanding, and what it truly means to be inclusive.
