International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 (UN) Disability-inclusive leadership and participation matters

December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world. 

The theme for 2024 is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.  The theme the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. More information about the UN In-Person New York Commemoration event is from 10-11a.  The event will be streamed online from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. You can watch it live at the following link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1wej4fsjh.


Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. As a campus, we engage together to create a future which insists that people are not needlessly excluded due to health conditions that create substantial limitations in how people engage with the world. Currently some ways that  campus members can participate are:


UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities. We have a strong partnership with Facilities Management and  UMBC Sustainability as well.

If there is an accessibility concern on campus - report it via this linked form.  With Facilities Management as central for maintenance or repair reporting - the best, first step is to report repairs to Work Control via 410-455-2550 or Workorder@umbc.edu.  For residential hall repair conditions, non-emergencies can be reported to http://fxit.umbc.edu, and emergencies can be called in to the FXIT line: 410-455-3948.

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 A Day For All discusses IDPD

Need a theme song?  Artist James Ian's song "Spaces" and inclusive, collaborative process with his Spinal Muscular Atrophy community were featured on CANVAS (link).  (Spaces song link).

Musician Gaelynn Lea shares how Accessibility is the New Punk Rock live on stage at The Moth 

Peace Corp Worker Josh Swiller on What I Lost in Africa

Professor Sara Hendren shares on Our Bodies, Aliveness and The Built World via the On Being podcast.





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November in the United States highlights travel, sharing meals and connecting with  family and friends, often highlighted with  Thanksgiving.  Make your celebrations more inclusive and disability friendly with these ideas for  a disability-inclusive experience.

People with disabilities also host fabulous meals:
Want to bring some disability-friendly ideas into kitchens this season?  Look over some cooking hacks for chefs with disabilities and check out Fall recipes from The Accessible Chef.

For those heading into shopping for the holidays, Yelp is providing crowd-sourced information about business accessibility - which can be an asset to dining out as well.  It's also helpful to call ahead with any public business for specific details from dietary restrictions and allergies to stair-free navigation to sensory-compatible environments. 

Travel is also a highlight of this season - given the diversity of disability, here is a more inclusive list of tips to ease travel hassles.

November is also about:

Epilepsy Awareness Month  and

COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Awareness Month 

American Diabetes Awareness Month 

Native American Heritage Awareness Month is also tied to November, and as all racial and ethnic identities intersect with disabilities we note:

Understanding Autism in Indigenous Communities

In this November 15 webinar, the National Autism Coordinator, Dr. Susan Daniels, hosts an illuminating conversation with clinical psychologist and parent, Dr. Crystal Hernandez (Cherokee), advocate Jim Warne (Oglala Lakota [Sioux] Nation), and autistic self-advocate Jules Edwards (Anishinaabe), who will talk about the intersection of their Native American heritage with their professional and lived experiences with autism. The discussion focuses on needs across indigenous communities in the U.S. and recent projects and initiatives to increase outreach and provide resources to help Native Americans with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Enjoy November and the holiday season with all that it celebrates and illuminates!


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As we're wrapping up National Disability Awareness Month, we're excited to announce that nominations are open for the Faculty Accessibility Trailblazer Award! This award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and student support.

Do you know a faculty member who goes above and beyond to ensure an inclusive learning environment? Nominate them today! 

Submit your nominations here. The deadline to submit is December 11.

Stay tuned for more details and don't miss the opportunity to highlight those making a difference!"

Accompanying thumbnail image shows close-up of a person in a suit holding a golden trophy with both hands. The background is softly blurred, showing an indoor setting with warm lighting. Credit: Pexels.com


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Don’t forget to schedule your final exams!

Make sure to submit your exam accommodation requests as soon as possible to ensure everything is in place on test day. If you need assistance,  email the SDS office at disAbility@umbc.edu or visit the SDS office located on the 2nd floor of the Math/Psychology Building.

We’re here to help you succeed—plan ahead so you can focus on doing your best!

Upcoming Event We Think You’ll Find Beneficial

This fall, the Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring (DREAM) group at the National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) is hosting multiple events aimed at building community, discussing careers, and promoting advocacy.

Check out all events and QR codes: DREAM Events & Activities
Questions? Email: DREAM@ahead.org

Highlighted Events

Share Your Feedback! Take a short, confidential survey about your experience with NCCSD and DREAM:

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Join us for the UMBC screening of By My Side - a short documentary that provides an intimate portrait of three veterans navigating their world with PTSD - an outcome faced by approximately 20% of veterans of the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq.  These veterans and their families bravely share their pain, fear and the experience that they have lost time and love that may never return.  All three found hope - in the heart of a loyal, faithful and well-trained service dog.  Through intimate interviews and revealing footage, the film demonstrates how these dogs help mitigate the trauma and scarring experienced by these veterans.

A brief Q&A and panel discussion will follow the film screening.

When:  November 11, 2024 Noon-1 p.
Where: Admin 101 (Lecture Hall)

Post Save-The-Date UPDATE: Please register as attending in this event link 

The film is captioned and a range of accessible seating options are available.  For additional inquiries about access or accommodation, email slazar@umbc.edu with "By My Side" in the subject line.

Organized by Accessibility and Disabilities Services, in partnership with Student Affairs' Veteran and Military Affiliated Services.

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NDAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with various types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Awareness Month" to address inclusion more broadly.

Americans with disabilities make up almost one-fifth of our population, which brings more celebration to this month, underneath the umbrella of the  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  celebrating its 32st anniversary, and Section 504 celebrating its 51st Anniversary. This month includes:

and given the beauty and complexity of being human, we respectfully nod to disability-related health conditions that are highlighted at other times.  We see you.  You matter.

Accessibility and Disability Services, remains committed to building on past progress and creating inclusive change as we work in partnership with the entire UMBC community, including Facilities Management, Human Resources and Instructional Technology. Student Disability Services provides support for students with disabilities, as education is a path toward progress.   While huge strides have been made with accessibility and inclusion (which can happen via accommodation), people with disabilities still face discrimination and lack of understanding. and has many events planned - the fight for full inclusion remains (Judy Heumann Ted Talk link). 

Accessibility and Disability Services

Student Disability Services
Retriever Integrated Health includes The Counseling Center as counseling (of course) as well as workshops and group meetings - they are recruiting for their Executive Functioning Workshop now.

Retriever Integrated Health also has a range of health services that support campus members of all abilities in the new, very-accessible Center for Wellbeing  across from Erickson Field (D7 on the map).

Student Organizations:
Faculty Group:  Disability Studies Working Group


A sampling of Disability Awareness Events:

Oct 2: Campus Accessibility Tour
Oct 3: Fix Your Content Day (Session 1 at 10am and Session 2 at 2p)  
October 9: Demystifying Disability (for Students) Hiring, Work and WRP
October 11: Delta Alpha Pi Disability Honor Society Meeting
October 14: Campus Accessibility Walk
Oct 15: Assistive Tech Open House
October 15: Voice Thread and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 
Oct 16:  Campus Accessibility Presentation with Facilities Management
Oct 16: UDL Guidelines 3.0: What's New and Why It Matters
Oct 17: Create Accessible Documents
Oct 17-19: Superfest Virtual Film Festival
October 22: Cyborg Meets AI Virtual Lecture with Dr. Ashley Shew 4:00
October 25: Dis/Ability on the Job: Accommodations and FML 101 (for non-supervisors)

Disability identity is intersectional with the history of the LGBTQ+ community that shares October as an awareness month.  October is also Relationship Violence Awareness Month, and we are very conscious that people with disabilities are at a much higher risk of Relationship and Sexual Violence and that any violence can cause, complicate and/or exacerbate disability.


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Creating a disability-friendly campus is a collaborative effort that benefits everyone, fostering inclusivity and ensuring equal opportunities campus wide.  By doing our part and working together, we create a campus environment where people with disabilities feel supported, respected, and empowered.  This post may be a gentle reminder of resources and departments for some, and create new awareness for others, as accessibility is everyone's responsibility. 

Everyone:

Read up on UMBC's Style Guide on Inclusive and Affirming Language to communicate well about disability 

Sign up for Accessibility and Disability Services myUMBC page

Go on UMBC's Accessibility Tour to better support your role as an accessibility ambassador.

Report Accessibility Concerns online via the ADS website.

Students (Undergraduate and Graduate):

Check out Student Disability Services Student (SDS) Resource Pages.
  • Getting Started: Registering with SDS for Accommodations
  • Returning students may complete a semester request in Accommodate to communicate approved accommodations to their new classes
  • Look over syllabi and schedule accommodated tests early.
  • If a need for accommodation has changed, or there is a new request - reach out for an update via Accommodate.
  • Get busy with student organizations that are welcoming and inclusive for students with disabilities.  UMBC has the Gamma Kappa Chapter of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society for Students with Disabilities - join an upcoming meeting.
  • Find and use an accessibility checker on documents, presentations, and digital content to assure that all that you are sharing socially, academically and vocationally has ideal accessibility.

Faculty:

Check out Student Disability Services' Faculty Resources Page

As course syllabi are updated, add or confirm UMBC's recommended Disability Syllabus Statement 

Take advantage of all that Instructional Technology and Blackboard (via Ally) have to offer for course accessibility:

Whether through accessible facilities, inclusive policies, or awareness initiatives, each step we take brings us closer to a campus that celebrates diversity and offers a welcoming space for everyone to thrive. Let's embark on this journey together, co-creating a community that values accessibility, dignity, and mutual respect.

A photo of a woman with dreadlocks and noise-canceling headphones sitting at home with a laptop accompanies this post.  Credit: Surface via Unsplash.

Enjoy some of the excellence from this year's Paralympic Games in Paris (they always follow the Olympics)
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"To change the way people think about and define 'disability,' to break down and end the internalized shame among people with disabilities, and to promote the belief in society that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disability can take pride." 

The Disability Pride movement is long-standing, and became more evident as a day of celebration in 1990 - the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law.   Boston celebrated its first Disability Pride Day that year, however many are also familiar with the earlier 504 disability civil rights movements of the 1970s which is chronicled in the movie Crip Camp, (Crip Camp Netflix link, Crip Camp YouTube link, which highlights the advocacy efforts of Judy Heumann and James LeBrecht, among others).  The Capitol Crawl in March of 1990 created momentum for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act later that year. This July marks the 34th anniversary of the ADA, and many cities across the country celebrate disability pride with parades and festivals.  Let's work together to support access and inclusion so more people can say it loud, "I'm disabled and I'm proud!" 

Learn more about Disability Pride from the Valuable 500, including the design concept of the flag.

Celebrate the Anniversary of the ADA on July 29th by stopping by UMBC's ADS/SDS Open House, or going on theADA Celebration and Accessibility Walk and Roll at noon.

Learn more about the lived experience of people with disabilities:

Other ways to celebrate Disability Pride: 
Get familiar with local resources and technical assistance - here is a sampling of what is available at UMBC: 

We look forward to celebrating with you all month long.  We ALSO celebrate Disability Pride every day, and especially in October, when more students are on campus.
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What Inequities Do Disabled People Face? Share Your Thoughts

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is seeking input from the disability community to help steer evidence-based federal policy to advance equity for people with disabilities in areas such as health, employment and education. 

OSTP had webinar on June 28, 2024, at noon ET, to learn more about this request for information and how to submit your comments. You may also submit your comments directly through the Federal Register website until July 15, 2024.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/30/2024-11838/notice-of-availability-and-request-for-information-federal-evidence-agenda-on-disability-equity
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Debuting in the Fall 2024 semester, the Department of English is now home to a new Critical Disability Studies minor.

Students in this interdisciplinary minor will encounter both the lived experiences of disability, past and present, and a critical analysis of intersecting systems of ableism, heteropatriarchy, white supremacy, colonialism, and capitalist violence.

To earn a minor in Critical Disability Studies, students will complete 15 credits of coursework: one introductory course (3 credits), two core courses (6 credits), and two elective courses (6 credits).

Fall 2024 Course Offerings:

  • AGNG 200 - Aging People, Policy and Management (multiple sections)
  • ENGL 320 - Disability and Technology: Writing, Design, and Resistance (Dr. Drew Holladay)
  • ENGL 461/669 - (Dis)ability in Asian American Literacture (Dr. Sharon Tran)
  • GLBL 410 - I'm a Cyborg But That's OK: Technology, Culture, and Disablity (Dr. Tania Lizarazo)
  • PBHL/PHIL 375 - Philosophy of Medicine (Dr. Jessica Pfeifer)
  • PSYC 305 - Children with Exceptionalities (Dr. Laura Rose)
  • SOCY 351 - Sociology of Health, Illness, and Medicine (Dr. Karon Philips)

For more information, use the link below to access course/catalog details or email Dr. Tania Lizarazo, lizarazo@umbc.edu

Thumbnail of a person in red sitting in a racing wheelchair with arms raised victoriously accompanies the post, Photo by Audi Nissen on Unsplash
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