Zoe Allen-Lewis accomplished her dream of being accepted at Virginia Commonwealth University. Unless VCU changes their housing policy for the intellectual disabilities program, Zoe will not be able to attend and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will end before it begins.

VCU has an amazing program called ACE-IT that gives people with intellectual disabilities the college experience. The program has a rigorous selection process and Zoe was only one of two people recently accepted in the entire country. However, Zoe was informed by VCU that she will not be allowed to live in on-campus housing despite all other freshmen being guaranteed housing -- just because ACE-IT offers a certificate instead of a degree. This is not fair and VCU’s policy needs to change.

Zoe lives over 2 hours away and is unable to drive. Unless VCU amends their policy, the way they already do for international students in certification programs, Zoe’s dream of college will not become a reality.

I met Zoe in 4th grade when she and her family moved here to Northern Virginia. Over the years, Zoe has inspired me with her spirit, perseverance, and the pursuit of her goals. Going to college was always important to Zoe and she worked hard to make her dream a reality. When she was accepted to VCU it was an amazing validation of all her hard work. When I saw how devastated Zoe was when she learned she couldn’t live on campus and wouldn’t be able to attend, we decided to start a petition on Change.org.

We can’t let Zoe’s hard work be for nothing. VCU should either provide a waiver for Zoe or change the housing policy to be fairer to students in the ACE-IT program.

It feels like everyone in our hometown knows Zoe. She is always engaged in the community and at her high school. Zoe was elected homecoming queen, attends every sporting event, and is revered as a bright student who is ambitious to learn despite her disability.

Our goal is for the VCU administration to give Zoe a waiver or change the housing policy to include ACE-IT students. It is a needed step to ensure their commitment to diversity and access to education is fully realized. This petition calls for the support of anyone who believes in equal opportunity, and the right for a deserving student to be able to attend the school she was accepted into. Your support will help get Zoe’s dream back on track.