Photo Credit:FSU Communications Department
FSU Communications Department | September 12, 2025
A student in the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business has helped spearhead a major win for accessibility on campus.
When Michelle Maisonville, a former Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) Class Representative and current FSU Director noticed that some washrooms on campus were not equipped with sharps containers, she decided to take action.
“I am Type 2 diabetic and experienced a diabetic emergency,” Michelle said. “This necessitated me checking my blood sugar. I went to the washroom to use my monitor; but I noticed there was nowhere to properly dispose of my lancet. My concern was not only for students and staff who may need sharps containers, but also the safety of students and staff not being injured by sharps that are improperly disposed.”
Michelle immediately brought the issue to the attention of FSU President Jerry Thomas and FSU Vice-President of Student Engagement, Gideon Bett.
“Jerry and Gideon were very interested in learning more about the issue and making the health and safety of students and staff a priority,” Michelle said.
After a thorough review and some productive conversations with the Centre for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI), as well as Environmental Health and Safety Emergency Services (EHSES), new sharps containers were officially installed in Innovation Village.
In addition to the accessible washrooms on the first floor (F1057 and F1059), sharps containers will also soon be installed in accessible washrooms on upper floors, including:
- A2041
- B2009-2
- E2012
- F2014
- F2053
- F3011
- J2000-6
- J2001
- M2027
- M3027
- T2013
- T3013
- Y2008
- Y2012
- Z2004
- LDA217
- LDB232
- LDB434
- LDB532
At regional campuses, meanwhile, EHSES has confirmed that where there are no designated accessible washrooms, sharps containers have been placed in accessible stalls. Where accessible stalls are unavailable, containers have been installed directly in the washrooms.
“This is a significant step forward in ensuring safer and more inclusive spaces across our campuses,” said Fanshawe College Director of Students, Employees and Culture, Joseph Pazzano. “Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important initiative.”
For Michelle, who has a history with health care advocacy, seeing the initiative come to fruition feels like a win.
“Being able to inform students and staff and knowing that we will have greater access to such a needed resource is empowering!” she said. “As a mature student, I joined the Class Rep team to help become more involved in college life; but what was the real magic was the connection I was able to build with other students. This inspired me to always take action for their best interest.”
Thank you to Michelle, and to everyone else within the FSU and Fanshawe College who helped make this happen.
