November 3-14, 2008

(DIS)ABILITIES AWARENESS WEEK

November 3-14, 2008


As a premier institution, The University of Akron focuses on fostering a community built on inclusiveness and access for all. Within the ranks of our citizen scholars, we welcome the opportunity to create an environment that not only recognizes and appreciates the talents, skills, and perspectives of every individual, but also uses those skills to reach educational and organizational objectives.

It is important for us to take advantage of the multiple opportunities our campus offers to enhance our knowledge and respect for all facets of our common humanity. Continuing to produce better outcomes for our community exemplifies the very essence of inclusive excellence, one of the five Institutional Design Principles. This, in turn, enables us to contribute to our diverse, global community.

The official campus-wide celebration of Disabilities Awareness Week is from November 3 through 14. The purpose of this week is to increase the knowledge of disability-related issues on campus, and to raise consciousness of social justice as it pertains to students, faculty, and staff with disabilities and their allies.

Throughout the week there will be various events including an Opening Gala, an amazing photo exhibit, a presentation by American Storyteller Nelson Lauver, Faculty and Staff Workshops, the Celebrating Inclusive Excellence Awards Reception, Comedian Will Marfori, and much more!

Please take this opportunity to join the campus community as we unite together to increase the awareness and knowledge of disability-related issues and overall inclusion on campus.


Dr. Charles J. Fey
Vice President for Student Affairs

Lee A. Gill, J.D.
Associate Vice President for Inclusion & Equity/
Chief Diversity Officer

Stepping into The Office of Accessibility as an undergraduate student looking for a job, my knowledge of issues surrounding people with disabilities was limited. In my mind, giving people equal access to an education meant supplying ramps, elevators, and handicap signs to the campus, allowing students a barrier-free passage to a physical location where learning occurs. As my employment continued, however, my definition of this passage gradually expanded.

As a student assistant, I worked with students having all types of disabilities, many of which were not visible to me. Why should a “barrier-free passage” include only access to a classroom location? In its truest sense, the “location where learning occurs” is not in a physical classroom but is actually the state of mind of the individual. Accommodations, therefore, give students with disabilities an opportunity to reach this state of mind where learning occurs.

My experience at The Office of Accessibility has sparked a passion to work with people who have disabilities. Now, as graduate assistant, I am determined to see students with disabilities succeed in the educational setting. I realize that, as a university that promotes diversity, it is our responsibility to provide equal access to an education not only by allowing our students to physically enter a classroom, but also by tearing down barriers that prevent learning from occurring. Whether this occurs by having extended testing time, note-taking, alternative text formats, or by the use of an elevator, students with disabilities are now able to access education.

Nicole Allison, B. A.
Graduate Assistant
Office of Accessibility

Over the past few weeks you have probably seen many different forms of advertising from Zipmail announcements to posters to word of mouth promoting this year’s Annual Disabilities Awareness Week (DAW). This campus-wide celebration is taking place from November 3rd until November 13th. This year there are a vast array of activities for the community to participate in including an Opening Gala, an amazing photo exhibit, a presentation by American Storyteller Nelson Lauver, Faculty and Staff Workshops, the Celebrating Inclusive Excellence Awards Reception, Comedian Will Marfori, and much more!

As members of the community participate in these various activities it is important that participants understand the purpose behind DAW. The established purpose of DAW is to increase knowledge of disability-related issues on campus and to raise consciousness of social justice as it pertains to students, faculty and staff with disabilities and their allies.

So first step as a member of the community is to attend at least one of these events on campus, and then it is important to talk about your experiences with other members of the community. By sharing your experiences and knew found knowledge with others, you are helping to spread awareness of disability-related issues and exposing more members of the community to these ideas. However, please do not let it stop there…to ensure that you continue to spread awareness of these issues it is important to become a Disability Ally. You may be asking yourself, “What is a Disability Ally and how can I become one?”

Well in order for you to become a Disability Ally there are three strategies you can focus on which are self-education, raising awareness and advocacy, and direct action. By simply attending these events and reflecting with others you are already on your way of becoming a Disability Ally. Beyond attending the events during DAW here are a few ways to enhance your skills as a Disability Ally:

Self Education:
• Continue reading, asking questions, and listening to others about the oppression of persons with disabilities
• Be aware of your own situation in life whether as a person with a disability or as a person who is not disabled.

Awareness Raising and Advocacy:
• Question accepted practices…Just because they have been that way in the past does not mean they should or need to be that way now.
• Ask about the availability of alternative formats when handouts or other material are distributed and request that the issue be addressed.
• When attending events, notice if the location is accessible from both a physical and communication perspective
• Question behavior or words that continue the pattern of oppression towards persons with disabilities

Direct Action:
• True allies live their lives in accordance with their beliefs…so if you are going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk!
• Support persons with disabilities in taking leadership roles
• Challenge and intervene to prevent harassment, bullying and other forms of overt hostility
• Be a support system for persons in the process of disclosing a disability. Disclosing a nonapparent disability can be particularity striking.

Remember it is everyone’s responsibility as members of this community to do their part to make this an accessible, academic and fun environment for everyone. Please help do your part and become a Disability Ally today…the first step is to attend an event. Help continue to keep the University of Akron a community built on inclusiveness and access for all.

Bobbi-Lynn Anderson
Graduate Intern
Office of Accessibility

Purpose

The purpose of Disabilities Awareness Week is to increase knowledge of disability-related issues on campus and to raise consciousness of social justice as it pertains to students, faculty and staff with disabilities and their allies.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize outstanding faculty and staff who have clearly demonstrated excellence in teaching and/or service provision for students with disabilities. Nominations are solicited from students with disabilities across campus. Students are asked to indicate in detail how the faculty or staff member being nominated exemplified inclusiveness of disability in teaching or in service.

The winners of the 2008 Celebrating Inclusive Excellence Awards are:

• Thomas Beck
• Joseph D. Brookhart
• Dr. Susan Hines
• Debra Huff
• Lance Nelson
• Dr. Andrew Stypinski

Sponsors

• Office of Accessibility
• Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
• Associate Vice President Inclusion & Equity/Chief Diversity Officer
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Institute for Teaching and Learning
• Residence Hall Program Board
• Student Union
• Office of the Senior Vice President & Provost/Chief Operating Officer
• College of Education
• University College
• University Dining Services