Ohio State students host dinner event for individuals on autism spectrum

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Ohio State students host dinner event for individuals on autism spectrum

'Hospitality Listens' also served individuals with developmental disabilities

Students in The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE) Hospitality Management Programrecently hosted a free dinner event for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other disabilities, along with their families. EHE presented Hospitality Listens at Lower.com Field's event suite in downtown Columbus.

The event was designed to provide attendees with a fun night out where they can experience hospitality tailored to their needs, said EHE Clinical Assistant Professor Annemarie Turpin. It also served as an experiential learning opportunity for hospitality management students.

"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," she said. "Through this experience, students are learning how to apply what they study in the classroom to real community needs."

Hospitality Listens included a quiet room for attendees who needed time away from sensory stimulation, as well as food stations staffed by student servers. The event also included family games such as cornhole, coordinated by Ohio State student volunteers.

The students trained for the event through OCALI's Many Faces of Autism course. The course presents information about autism spectrum disorder, including verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions, patterns of behavior and sensory processing. Students applied this training through their roles as planners, servers and volunteers during the event.

Hospitality Listens was also open to individuals with other developmental disabilities and their families, said Erik Porfeli, chair of the EHE Department of Human Sciences and incoming dean of the college.

"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," he said. "Our students have studied issues related to disabilities, and they've designed this event to be for and ofour families, particularly those on the spectrum and those with other developmental disabilities."

Students who served on the planning committee and in volunteer roles said participating in Hospitality Listens gave them a broader understanding of how to provide comprehensive customer service.

"Ohio State has provided so many great opportunities for student volunteers," said Danielle Johnson, a fourth-year hospitality management major and planning committee member. "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."

Sophia Peacock, also a fourth-year hospitality management major who served as a volunteer, said being a part of Hospitality Listens provided her with valuable experience that will benefit her when she enters the workforce.

"Hospitality is about taking care of everybody, no matter their background, no matter their experiences in life," she said. "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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