Cervical cancer is preventable, and January is a time to learn, take action, and help spread awareness. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) works year-round to promote cervical health through education, vaccination, and regular screening, in alignment with the World Health Organization's goal to eliminate cervical cancer.

New screening options, including HPV self-collection tests approved by the FDA, may allow some individuals to screen without a pelvic exam. These tests check for high-risk types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer and have the potential to increase access to lifesaving screening.
Partners, families, and caregivers also play an important role. Learning how to support a loved one through abnormal screening results, follow-up testing, or a cervical cancer diagnosis can make a meaningful difference.

You can get involved by downloading NCCC's advocacy toolkit, connecting with a local NCCC chapter, or sharing cervical health prevention messages throughout the month. Resources include free educational materials, survivor stories, and downloadable posters to help spread awareness. 

Screening is easy to schedule at UMBC! You can make an appointment with Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) for cervical screenings and preventive care: UMBC Health Appointments. Learn more, get involved, and help promote cervical health and cervical cancer prevention.

January is Braille Literacy Month, and January 4th marks World Braille Day, honoring the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille code. This month is all about raising awareness of the importance of braille literacy and recognizing how braille supports independence, education, and access for people with visual impairments and beyond.

When many people hear "braille," they think only of blindness, but braille benefits individuals with low vision, dual sensory loss, and multiple disabilities.

Here are 6 things you may not know about Braille:

• Louis Braille was just 15 years old when he invented Braille
• Braille is a tactile code, not a language—many languages can be read and written in Braille
• A braille cell is made up of 6 raised dots
• Braille includes letters, numbers, punctuation, music notation, and even formatting like bold and italics
• Braille takes up more space than print—Webster's Unabridged Dictionary is 72 volumes in braille
• There are two levels of braille: uncontracted (letter-by-letter) and contracted (a shorthand version)

Want to try it yourself? Here's a link to type and see your name in Braille.

As you go about campus this month, take a moment to notice braille on signs, elevators, and other materials. These small adaptations make a big difference in accessibility and independence. Let's celebrate Braille literacy, accessibility, and inclusive learning this month and all year long.

Faculty are invited to meet one-on-one with SDS staff members Tori Jakpa and Michael Canale for hands-on support to help move your Ally score from red to green. Sessions are practical, supportive, and designed to leave you feeling accomplished.

We're also happy to answer questions about:

• Accommodations

• Working with students with disabilities

• General digital accessibility concerns

Webex Details: 

• Dates: January 6–27
• Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (daily)

Please use this link to schedule a session.

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 2025 is: Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress, reaffirming the commitment to building a just, inclusive and equitable world.  The theme the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and accessible 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.  You can watch it live at the following link: https://zoom.us/j/91600322753.

World AIDS Day is a global movement dedicated to uniting communities in the fight against HIV, honoring the lives lost to AIDS-related illnesses, and standing in solidarity with people living with HIV. Since 1988, this day has brought people together to confront stigma, share knowledge, and reaffirm our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.

Globally, an estimated 38 million people are living with HIV. More than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS-related illnesses over the past four decades, making it one of the most significant public health challenges in modern history. Thanks to medical advancements, individuals living with HIV today can live long, healthy lives with proper treatment. We now have the tools to stop HIV transmission entirely, yet stigma and misinformation remain major barriers to prevention, care, and equity.

The Red Ribbon, created in 1991 by a group of artists seeking a symbol of compassion and support, has become the universal emblem of HIV awareness. Its bold red color represents the heart, passion, and commitment to supporting those affected by HIV.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to highlight the real experiences of people living with HIV, celebrate the resilience of affected communities, and encourage the leadership necessary to end stigma and improve access to prevention and care.

UMBC World AIDS Day Event

• Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: The Commons 1A02 (next to the bookstore)

For the past three years, UMBC's Office of Health Promotion has hosted annual World AIDS Day events focused on education, awareness, and testing.

The 2025 World AIDS Day program will be held:

This event includes free, anonymous HIV testing, educational opportunities for reducing risk, and guidance on how to help break the stigma around HIV testing. Participants may also contribute to a panel honoring the AIDS Memorial Quilt, remembering and celebrating the unique lives of those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS.

This event is open to all individuals in accordance with UMBC's nondiscrimination policies.

Baltimore World AIDS Day Community Celebration
Hosted by Begin Anew and Community Partners

• Date: December 1, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
• Location: 4 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Lexington Market, Baltimore, MD

Begin Anew invites the community to its 4th Annual World AIDS Day Community Celebration, one of Baltimore's largest and most vibrant observances of the day. Guided by the theme, "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Embracing the Future," this event brings together residents, advocates, and partners for an uplifting afternoon of education, reflection, and celebration.
The program features keynote speaker Jason E. Farley and special awards recognizing local leaders who have dedicated their efforts to eradicating HIV/AIDS, advancing health equity, and expanding access to care. Attendees will experience moving tributes, personal stories, and moments that honor the resilience and contributions of those on the frontlines.
Guests will also enjoy a complimentary lunch, live entertainment, and opportunities to connect with advocates, service providers, and organizations addressing social determinants of health. The event is free and open to all, welcoming community members, families, and allies to join in solidarity and shared purpose.

World AIDS Day in Frederick County, Maryland

The Frederick County Health Department is partnering with The Frederick Center to provide free HIV testing and education in honor of World AIDS Day.

Event details:

• Date: November 30, 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Location: The Frederick Center, 25 East 2nd Street, Frederick, MD 21701

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have access to confidential HIV testing, information on prevention strategies such as PrEP, and connections to local resources and support services. Knowing your status is an important step in prevention, treatment, and helping to reduce transmission.

Kenneth Melnick, Disease Intervention Specialist at the Frederick County Health Department, shared that World AIDS Day represents a commitment to community health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of ensuring everyone has access to testing and care.

The Frederick County Health Department also offers free walk-in HIV testing every Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, as well as appointments by phone.

How You Can Participate in World AIDS Day

• Wear a Red Ribbon to raise awareness.

• Get tested and encourage others to know their status.

• Learn about HIV prevention methods, including PrEP.

• Share accurate information to help combat stigma.

• Honor loved ones affected by HIV or AIDS-related illnesses.

• Support local and national organizations committed to HIV advocacy, care, and education.

Collective action continues to play a crucial role in ending the HIV epidemic. Through awareness, compassion, and a commitment to equitable access to care, we can work toward a future where HIV does not stand in the way of anyone's life.

This tribute is based entirely on reporting from Disability Scoop.

Alice Wong, the groundbreaking disability rights activist known for her wit, creativity, and willingness to shock systems into accountability, has died at the age of 51. Disability Scoop reports that she passed away following an infection at UCSF Hospital.

Wong was widely recognized for her radical imagination and her fearless approach to justice. She called herself a "cyborg oracle" and used technology, storytelling, and political strategy to confront ableism. Her national profile rose in 2013 when President Obama appointed her to the National Council on Disability. She later attended a White House reception through a telepresence robot, a moment that symbolized both her ingenuity and her insistence on access.

Disability Scoop highlights her influence as an author, podcaster, editor, and founder of the Disability Visibility Project. Her #CripTheVote initiative shifted political conversations, and her advocacy helped thousands of high risk Californians gain earlier vaccine access during the COVID pandemic. She also challenged policies like plastic straw bans that ignored disabled people's needs.

Wong received a MacArthur Foundation genius grant in 2024 for exposing systemic prejudice and expanding public understanding of disabled lives.

After her passing, a prewritten message was released. In it she wrote: "Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you." She reflected on her childhood, internalized ableism, and the power of storytelling. She urged the world to create more space for disabled culture, saying "You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment."

Friends, leaders, and organizations described Wong as a visionary. Sandy Ho called her a "disabled oracle" who could see the future. San Francisco's mayor praised her courage. The American Association of People with Disabilities wrote that she made the "complexity of disabled experiences visible to the world."

Born in 1974 to immigrants from Hong Kong, Wong grew up in Indianapolis. She lived with a rare form of muscular atrophy, used a wheelchair from grade school, and relied on a BiPap ventilator. She wrote powerfully about her relationship to technology, calling her devices "bits of hardware" that grounded and liberated her.

Her writing explored how painful labels like "defect" and "abnormal" became sources of power and resistance through creativity. Her memoir, Year of the Tiger, blended vulnerability with cultural critique, imagination, and her belief in collective liberation through art and storytelling.

Disability Scoop notes that Wong was known for her red lipstick, black power chair, and gray ventilator. She wrote for Teen Vogue, The New York Times, and many other outlets. She addressed issues ranging from medical crowdfunding to national health policy. She spoke about the danger that political shifts posed for disabled people and insisted on a world where disabled joy and survival are prioritized.

Her final message, released by her family and shared by Disability Scoop, ended with words from Year of the Tiger: "The real gift any person can give is a web of connective tissue. If we love fiercely, our ancestors live among and speak to us through these incandescent filaments glowing from the warmth of memories."

Rest in power, Alice Wong. You changed the world and expanded what is possible. Visit the Disability Visibility website she created here.

Code Switch (NPR) Podcast (12/6) Honoring Alice Wong

Read her work: 

• Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire
• Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life
• Disability Visibility: First‑Person Stories from the Twenty‑First Century
• Disability Visibility (Adapted for Young Adults): 17 First‑Person Stories for Today
• Resistance & Hope: Essays by Disabled People
• Visit the Society of Disabled Oracles - a creation of Alice Wong, Aimi Hamraie and Jen White Johnson. 

Each November, we recognize and honor the more than 63 million family caregivers across the United States who devote their time, energy, and love to supporting a family member or friend with health needs.

Caregiver Action Network, the nationally recognized leader of National Family Caregivers Month (NFC Month), partners with organizations and advocates across the country to highlight caregivers' challenges, celebrate their dedication, and connect them with the resources they need.

About National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Caregivers Month is a time to:

• Raise awareness of the essential role family caregivers play in our healthcare system

• Educate communities about the challenges caregivers face and the supports they need

• Connect caregivers with trusted resources that make their journey easier

• Honor caregivers for their commitment, resilience, and love

Since 1994, November has been recognized through presidential proclamations, nonprofit campaigns, and community events nationwide. Each year features a unique theme chosen by Caregiver Action Network.

2025 Theme: Plug-in to Care

The focus for 2025 is connection—helping caregivers plug in to care by accessing vital support tools, networks, and educational resources.

Get Involved

• Spread the Word
  Share messages, graphics, and stories using #NFCMonth

• Join Events
  Participate in webinars, conversations, and activities throughout November.

Support Caregivers
Use the available toolkits to recognize caregivers in your workplace, community, or organization.

• Download the Campaign Toolkit
  

• Become a Nonprofit Partner
  

• Explore Past Campaigns

Past themes include:

• 2024: iCare…
  

• 2023: #CaregiversConnect
  

• 2022: #CaregivingHappens
  

Why Connection Matters

Family caregivers are the backbone of our healthcare system. They provide billions of hours of unpaid care each year while navigating work responsibilities, family life, and their own health needs.

By recognizing National Family Caregivers Month, we highlight their experiences and connect them to the resources, support, and community they deserve.

Empowering Future Leaders in Aging at UMBC's Erickson School of Aging Studies

The Erickson School of Aging Studies at UMBC is dedicated to preparing leaders who will improve the lives of older adults, including the millions who rely on family caregivers.

The Erickson School:

• Offers unique interdisciplinary programs that prepare students to lead organizations serving or advocating for older adults

• Connects the strength of a leading research university with the real-world expertise of leaders in the aging services field

• Provides Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Education
  

• Blends knowledge of human aging, public policy, and management, developing essential skills such as communication, financial acumen, critical thinking, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making

• Provides Undergraduate Program Internships that give students hands-on experience and career exploration in aging services

• Requires Capstone Projects in both undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing students to apply their learning and design innovative solutions that support older adults and caregivers

By educating emerging professionals with this strong interdisciplinary foundation, the Erickson School helps strengthen programs, services, and systems that support caregivers and older adults across the nation.

This month, we're joining the Epilepsy Foundation of America in going "All In for Epilepsy." Being All In doesn't mean doing everything; it means doing something to support the epilepsy community. Whether that's learning seizure first aid, sharing facts, wearing purple, or showing compassion to someone who lives with epilepsy, every action counts.

Recognizing National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM)

November is a time to educate, advocate, and empower. Epilepsy affects 3.4 million Americans, including about 456,000 children, yet it's often misunderstood. Through awareness and education, we can build a stronger, more informed community that ensures no one faces epilepsy alone.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can affect anyone, regardless of race, age, or gender.

• 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime.

• 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy.

• Seizures can look different for everyone (not all seizures involve convulsions).

Unfortunately, misunderstanding and stigma still surround epilepsy. Many individuals experience "felt stigma" — a fear of discrimination or shame about their condition — which can negatively impact mental health and quality of life, even when seizures are well controlled.

Together, we can change that narrative.

Take Action: Go "All In" This November

This month, you can make a difference by taking one meaningful step:

• Learn Seizure First Aid

Register for a free Seizure Recognition and First Aid Training to gain the skills and confidence to help someone experiencing a seizure. 

UMBC community members can also review SDS's emergency steps here:

SDS Emergency Response: What to Do in an Emergency

• Share Your eJourney

Your story can inspire hope and remind others they're not alone. Submit your epilepsy story on the Epilepsy Foundation's eJourney Blog and help empower others to speak up.

• Spread the Word on Social Media

Use your voice to educate others. Share facts, experiences, or resources using #NEAM2025 and #AllInForEpilepsy. Encourage your followers to re-share Epilepsy Foundation content to help stop the stigma.

• Get Involved Locally

Find your local Epilepsy Foundation and participate in NEAM events, from walks and fundraisers to community education sessions. Every connection strengthens the movement.

We're All In

Epilepsy affects everyone, everywhere — but together, we can build a safer, more inclusive future. This November, let's commit to learning, advocating, and supporting our epilepsy community. Because when we're All In for Epilepsy, no one faces it alone.

Learn more and get involved: www.epilepsy.com/NEAM