Fulbright Scholars with Disabilities Share Their Experiences
UMBC Alum Mariam Yaldram featured on May 6!
Please join us for Fulbright's online events that review and unpack the Fulbright experience for Fulbright Scholars with disabilities from around the world:
May 2nd, 2024 3-4 pm- Navigating a Fulbright Study Grant as a Neurodivergent Scholar in the UK with Geglie Davis-Tillie (Online)
May 6th, 2024 3-4 pm Navigating a Fulbright ETA Grant as a Disabled Scholar in Taiwan with Speaker Mariam Yaldram, UMBC ALUMNI (Online)
Sessions are 45 minutes-1 hour
Feel free to register for any of these Fulbright events by scanning the QR code on the linked flyer or click on the website button below. Enjoy the webinars and best wishes with the Fulbright process.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Thumbnail of a student at a desk, writing on a paper tablet with a nearby smartphone and book "Oh The Places You'll Go" accompanies the myUMBC post. Photo credit Tamarcus Brown via Unsplash.com
]]>
Please join us for Fulbright's online events that review and unpack the Fulbright experience for Fulbright Scholars with disabilities from around the world: May 2nd, 2024 3-4 pm- Navigating...
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceYOKBsFNZs-iVoRK4J7CwH2gP1ofH3tSb8FmB3T-WiTbbmQ/viewform
Flyer
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/35e2e3a2af8d019bea5f886fff278ace/69f1649d/news/000/141/376/02be04785a6d4583b22d063e45342758/Fulbrighters with Disabilities Flyer.jpg?1714075484
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/141376/guest@my.umbc.edu/45c35d6855b96dea63c0f00162135eb5/api/pixel
disability
fulbright
international
kingdom
mariam
neurodiversity
scholar
taiwan
uk
united
yaldram
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/376/9be510fdc731894879fd3dfdfc2046f6/xxlarge.jpg?1714076244
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/376/9be510fdc731894879fd3dfdfc2046f6/xlarge.jpg?1714076244
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/376/9be510fdc731894879fd3dfdfc2046f6/large.jpg?1714076244
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/376/9be510fdc731894879fd3dfdfc2046f6/medium.jpg?1714076244
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/376/9be510fdc731894879fd3dfdfc2046f6/small.jpg?1714076244
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/376/9be510fdc731894879fd3dfdfc2046f6/xsmall.jpg?1714076244
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/376/9be510fdc731894879fd3dfdfc2046f6/xxsmall.jpg?1714076244
2
0
false
Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:46:19 -0400
National Assistive Technology Day is April 17
Join the U.S. Congress, Maryland Department of Disabilities and the disability community within UMBC and beyond to celebrate National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day.
National AT Awareness Day honors people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities. The day also recognizes the innovation of researchers, educators, and the dedication of AT specialists and program providers who operate AT programs so that millions of individuals can acquire and use low-cost and often no-cost AT.
Every state has an Assistive Technology Program that is a resource for its residents - information on Maryland's Assistive Technology program MDTAP is linked here. MDTAP AT loan libraries are located throughout the state with nine community locations so people can try out devices for suitability before committing to a purchase. Assistive Technology is in regular use on campus.
Learn more about Maryland's AT High Tech Reuse Program on June 12th via the MDoD webinar, register via this Zoom link - potentially a no-cost option for some Maryland residents.
More information about National Assistive Technology Day is available at the link below.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is in nearby Halethorpe and works with Marylanders and vision loss, including connecting with resources for incorporating assistive technology into daily living. Celebrate with group of AT users this Saturday at their upcoming Brew Reveal.
#ATAwarenessDay #disability #disabilityinclusion
A thumbnail of a laptop with braille assistive technology in the foreground accompanies this post, credit: unsplash.com
]]>
Join the U.S. Congress, Maryland Department of Disabilities and the disability community within UMBC and beyond to celebrate National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day. National AT...
https://ataporg.org/policy-and-advocacy/national-at-awareness-day/
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/139470/guest@my.umbc.edu/c89aba05aeda3e90c5d5d9506ea7d8a2/api/pixel
accessibility
accessible
audio
blind
cane
disability
inclusion
legally
loss
low
render
social
speech
technology
text
vision
white
work
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/470/5c11e476d0961163ae33f077635803fc/xxlarge.jpg?1713305285
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/470/5c11e476d0961163ae33f077635803fc/xlarge.jpg?1713305285
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/470/5c11e476d0961163ae33f077635803fc/large.jpg?1713305285
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/470/5c11e476d0961163ae33f077635803fc/medium.jpg?1713305285
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/470/5c11e476d0961163ae33f077635803fc/small.jpg?1713305285
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/470/5c11e476d0961163ae33f077635803fc/xsmall.jpg?1713305285
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/139/470/5c11e476d0961163ae33f077635803fc/xxsmall.jpg?1713305285
2
0
false
Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:17:20 -0400
Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:18:56 -0400
Autism: From Awareness to Acceptance in April
Making Inclusion and Acceptance the Norm
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Have a good April everyone!
Thumbnail Photo credit: unsplash.com
]]>
Autism is a Spectrum- from Awareness to Acceptance April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link). In listening to many within the Autism...
https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/autism-awareness-month/2023/
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/140531/guest@my.umbc.edu/e872b0bfee5ef9e3be3739db9b6fd761/api/pixel
ability
able
ableist
aspie
autism
behavior
black
disability
disorder
female
grandin
neurodivergent
neurotypical
race
social
spectrum
temple
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/140/531/7e31c8ae669ce78afa79682d6a0fa4ef/xxlarge.jpg?1712158047
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/140/531/7e31c8ae669ce78afa79682d6a0fa4ef/xlarge.jpg?1712158047
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/140/531/7e31c8ae669ce78afa79682d6a0fa4ef/large.jpg?1712158047
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/140/531/7e31c8ae669ce78afa79682d6a0fa4ef/medium.jpg?1712158047
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/140/531/7e31c8ae669ce78afa79682d6a0fa4ef/small.jpg?1712158047
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/140/531/7e31c8ae669ce78afa79682d6a0fa4ef/xsmall.jpg?1712158047
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/140/531/7e31c8ae669ce78afa79682d6a0fa4ef/xxsmall.jpg?1712158047
a silhouette of a person standing underneath a multi-colored spectral sky with the Milky Way illuminated
7
0
false
Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:34:14 -0400
Mon, 28 Apr 2025 11:35:22 -0400
REMINDER: unseen Documentary 3/14 at 4:30 PUP 105
Blind, Undocumented, and Launching into Social Work
Join ADS, SDS and Social Work for the UMBC (free) screening of unseen, an award-winning documentary described as:
Most people dream of a better future. Pedro, an aspiring social worker, is no different. But as a blind, undocumented immigrant, Pedro faces political restrictions to obtain his college degree, secure a job in his field, and support his family. As he finally graduates, uncertainty looms over Pedro. What starts as a journey to provide mental health care for his community ultimately transforms into Pedro’s path towards his own healing.
Through experimental cinematography and sound, UNSEEN reimagines the accessibility of cinema, while exploring the intersections of immigration, disability, and mental health.
When: Thursday March 14, 2024 at 4:30p
Where: Public Policy 105
Prepare for an experience that will leave you talking long after the credits roll - and may influence matters of inclusion, immigration, health care, public policy, film design, and raise your awareness of how people engage with the world.
Audience dialogue with Social Work faculty and ADS staff to follow the film.
The Public Policy Lecture Hall is on the first floor, has accessible seating, and a range of features that enhance accessibility for audiences. The film is captioned, and an audio-described version is available upon request. Mask use is very welcome. Please email any accommodation requests and event inquiries to slazar@umbc.edu with "Documentary" in the subject line
Co-Sponsored by The School of Social Work and Human Context of Computing
Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services celebrates Women's History Month, calling to mind all women who have contributed to pivotal moments and events in history and contemporary society. Today is also
International Women's Day with the theme of Inspiring Inclusion, and even with disabilities have always been an essential part of history. Here are some women who have made history recently:
These two articles showcase some of these women trailblazers, with links for more in-depth information:
Disabled Women from History You Should Know About- Sarah Bernhardt
- Adelaide Knight
- Raganhild Kata
- Rosa May Billinghurst
- Annette Kellerman
- Dorothea Lange
Take a moment, connect with the linked material, and learn more about these trail-blazers.
Disability-related resources at UMBC include:
Happy Women's History Month!
A photo of a woman in a power wheelchair stopped in front of a pedestal accompanies this post. Credit Carlos Navas via unsplash.com.
Rare Disease Day is the globally-coordinated movement on rare diseases, working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease.
Since its creation in 2008, Rare Disease Day has played a critical part in building an international rare disease community that is multi-disease, global, and diverse– but united in purpose.
Rare Disease Day is observed every year on 28 February (or 29 in leap years)—the rarest day of the year.
Though Rare Disease Day is patient-led, everyone, including individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, clinicians, policy makers, industry representatives and the general public, can participate in raising awareness and taking action today for this vulnerable population who require immediate and urgent attention.
By Sharing your colors via social media, events, illuminating buildings, monuments and homes, by sharing experiences online and with friends, by calling on policy makers and shining the light on people living with a rare disease, collectively we aim to change and improve lives of the 300 million people worldwide.
The overarching goal of the UN campaign is to recognize that People Living With Rare Disease (PLWRD) are an overlooked population requiring immediate and urgent attention, and global and national policies that address their needs and contribute to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and their pledge to ‘leave no one behind’.
The 300 million PLWRD around the world and their families face common challenges in all aspects of their daily lives. As a population with increasing vulnerabilities, they are disproportionally affected by stigma, discrimination and social marginalization, within their social environment and in society at large. The paucity of knowledge and expertise on rare diseases and the lack of awareness of the challenges faced by PLWRD mean that they are psychologically, socially, culturally and economically vulnerable.
There are a number of synergies between the rare disease community’s needs and goals, and those of the UN 2030 Agenda and its
Sustainable Development Goals , mainly the following ones:
- Challenges affect the whole family and cause overall increased isolation and impoverishment (SDG 1);
- PLWRD lack access to appropriate diagnosis and lifelong care and social support (SDG 3);
- PLWRD face challenges in accessing education at all stages of their life due to inaccessibility of facilities and non-adapted teaching methods (SDG 4);
- Women living with a rare disease face more difficulties in accessing care and, when a member of the family lives with a rare disease, the primary unpaid care role is most often assumed by women (SDG 5);
- PLWRD and their families face challenges in access, retention and return to employment (SDG 8);
- The disproportionate level of vulnerabilities means PLWRD face stigma, discrimination and lack of opportunities for inclusion in society (SDG 10).
A thumbnail of two young zebras peeking above the back of a third zebra, all with different black and white stripe patterns accompanies this post. Credit Hans Veth via unsplash.com
Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services joins The Mosaic Center and all UMBC partners with honoring Black History Month.
Rediscover how some members of the Black Civil Rights Movement also played essential roles as activists in the US Disability Rights Movement, and paved the way for disability rights activists to influence social change and legislation. Many people with disabilities were part of both movements and continue to be today.
Dr. Sami Schalk presented at UMBC less than a year ago on 504 and Beyond: Disability Politics and the Black Panther Partyvia the Dresher Center - the and co-sponsorship with ADS and I3B.
Why Black Disabled History Matters by Dikko Yusef of WID provides a great summary
Some of the intersectionality within the documentary Crip Camp shows how intersectional being black and disabled can be - beyond the Black Panthers. Further back in history, learn new things about the famous Black figures who also had disabilities. For instance, Harriet Tubman lived with epilepsy and narcolepsy, a reminder that disability is both directly and indirectly linked to many forms of violence.
In the links described below, you may rediscover or learn for the first time about Black history being made in this moment, and there is so much to learn from the past. Research forays have been known to start at Brad Lomax, and end up at the Wild Zappers, a DC-based all black all deaf dance company - what new-to-you ancestral influencers and history-makers will become front-of-mind to you? The research of Dr. Stephanie Keeney Parks takes a racially nuanced approach to Autism via In A Different Key. In 2022 Megan Thee Stallion launched a website to support mental health. Haben Girma remains an important advocate for disability inclusion.
Test your knowledge by taking this quiz with the National Black Disability Coalition (NBDC): (link)http://www.blackdisability.org/content/black-disabled-trivia
Important figures in Black History:
· Enter “Black History” plus any disability (i.e. "autism," "dyslexia," etc.) into a search engine and explore more about the intersectionality of disability.
Explore Black History and Disability Rights:
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has a great article about the integral role Black disability rights activists played in securing rights for all US citizens with disabilities. (link)https://www.ncld.org/news/honoring-black-history-month-unsung-heroes-of-the-disability-rights-movement/ For more on Brad Lomax, a leader in the 1977 protests that led to the implementation of section 504 of the rehabilitation act, see this NYT obituary (link) https:/www.nytimes.com/2020/07/08/obituaries/brad-lomax-overlooked.html
Black Disabled and Proud: College Students with Disabilities is a website by the HBCU Disability Consortium. Their page titled “Black Lives Matter and Disability” speaks to the recent and daily making of Black history as it intersects with disability. (link)https://www.blackdisabledandproud.org/black-lives-matter.html The page includes links to thoughtful articles as well as self-care info.
The Disability Visibility Project’s Black Lives Matter page has podcasts (with transcripts) that explore the individual experiences of people who are actively contributing individually and/or organizing to raise awareness about being Black and having a disability. (link)https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/tag/black-lives-matter/ Click through on the posts and find things like Jen White Johnson’s Black Disability Lives Matter mural (link)https://jenwhitejohnson.com/Black-Disabled-Lives-Matter-Mural-Project
The Zinn Education Project offers Teach The Black Freedom Struggle classes with ASL and transcripts via this link - with the reminder that violence in any format may create disability. If you are looking for UMBC-based disability resources - use these links:
Thumbnail image of two black young women with their hair in white headbands at a 1960's era protest with one larger sign behind them reading "Martyr Medgar Evers" and a poem that begins "The Black Man Fell and helpless lay/ A Gaping Wound upon his back/ A Witness to the Savage Way/ A Beast Had Made His Foul Attack...." accompanies this post. Photo credit: Unseen Histories downloaded from Unsplash.com
]]>
Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services joins The Mosaic Center and all UMBC partners with honoring Black History Month. Rediscover how some members of the Black...
https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/dreshercenter/events/113876
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/138609/guest@my.umbc.edu/17e7aa2b6ea800397f82a0e974042149/api/pixel
access
alice
art
black
blm
care
disability
evers
handicap
health
history
injury
intersectional
jen
johnson
lives
matter
medgar
musgrove
power
rights
white
women
wong
wound
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/609/9020bedcb8cbc9148e925ea0e1d18145/xxlarge.jpg?1706890794
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/609/9020bedcb8cbc9148e925ea0e1d18145/xlarge.jpg?1706890794
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/609/9020bedcb8cbc9148e925ea0e1d18145/large.jpg?1706890794
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/609/9020bedcb8cbc9148e925ea0e1d18145/medium.jpg?1706890794
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/609/9020bedcb8cbc9148e925ea0e1d18145/small.jpg?1706890794
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/609/9020bedcb8cbc9148e925ea0e1d18145/xsmall.jpg?1706890794
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/138/609/9020bedcb8cbc9148e925ea0e1d18145/xxsmall.jpg?1706890794
9
0
false
Sun, 04 Feb 2024 18:32:08 -0500
Tue, 12 Mar 2024 10:57:41 -0400
Survey Alert for People with Disabilities in Maryland+
Add Your Voice to the State Disabilities Plan/MCoC
The Maryland Department of Disabilities is gathering information for the next State Disability Plan. The State Disabilities Plan is a guide that helps all levels of government and all parts of the community coordinate efforts to improve the lives of Marylanders with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. The plan is created in collaboration with state agencies, community members, and other stakeholders.
MDoD NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Please take a few minutes to complete the MDoD survey to help them create the next State Disabilities plan. Tell them what is most important to you.
·What is working?
·What is not working?
·What would you like to see in the future?
They want the plan to reflect your priorities and goals. Give your honest feedback and suggestions for ways to improve the policies and systems that impact Marylanders with disabilities. Share the survey with your friends, family and community! The more input, the better our plan will be!
If you need the survey in an alternative format, please contact Yesheva Kelly, yesheva.kelly@maryland.gov or 410-767-3659.
The Maryland Disabilities 2020-2023 Plan is linked here as a reference
Second Opportunity: CAREGIVER SURVEY from the Maryland Commission on Caregiving
As the “Voice of the Caregiver” the Maryland Commission on Caregiving wants to know more about the experiences of family caregivers in the state and they want your help!
Family caregivers are people who assist adults aged 18 or older with disabilities, illnesses, diseases, or limitations that make it hard for them to take care of themselves. Caregivers help with things like personal care, household chores, managing money, arranging services from others, or regularly visiting to check on how they are doing.
MCoC has developed a 15-minute online and anonymous survey that asks questions about the person being cared for and the caregiver’s knowledge of available programs and priorities for supports and services. If you care for someone, they would appreciate it if you could take the time to complete the survey through the link below. If you aren’t a caregiver but know other caregivers, please consider sharing this information via copy and paste via email to them so they can obtain as many responses as possible.
If you complete the CAREGIVER survey, you will have the chance to enter a raffle where 50 people will be randomly chosen to get a $20 e-gift card.
Results from the survey will be shared publicly with special attention to legislators and the Departments of Human Services, Disabilities, Aging, and Health to improve policies and programs for MD caregivers just like you!
The Caregiver survey will remain open until December 31, 2023.
]]>
The Maryland Department of Disabilities is gathering information for the next State Disability Plan. The State Disabilities Plan is a guide that helps all levels of government and all parts of the...
https://mdod.maryland.gov/about/Pages/townhalls.aspx
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/137630/guest@my.umbc.edu/48a81d0bea0de162fe1c518e614a914c/api/pixel
caregiver
department
disability
maryland
plan
state
survey
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/630/1bb7f857472eaf607b1af013c7571e29/xxlarge.jpg?1702056744
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/630/1bb7f857472eaf607b1af013c7571e29/xlarge.jpg?1702056744
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/630/1bb7f857472eaf607b1af013c7571e29/large.jpg?1702056744
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/630/1bb7f857472eaf607b1af013c7571e29/medium.jpg?1702056744
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/630/1bb7f857472eaf607b1af013c7571e29/small.jpg?1702056744
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/630/1bb7f857472eaf607b1af013c7571e29/xsmall.jpg?1702056744
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/137/630/1bb7f857472eaf607b1af013c7571e29/xxsmall.jpg?1702056744
3
0
false
Fri, 08 Dec 2023 12:36:27 -0500
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023 (UN)
Disability-inclusive leadership and participation matters
December 1 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 2023 is "united in action to rescue and achieve Sustainable Development Goals for, with and by persons with disabilities. The theme reflects recent consideration of the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and the invasion Ukraine. More information about the UN Virtual New York Commemoration event, including registration is linked here. To view the December 1 10a-1p activities remotely, click here at that time.
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. Report barriers when you encounter them - at UMBC our
accessibility concern form is available 24/7 to report any issues that arise:
https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/.
A thumbnail of a signpost with more than ten colorful directional arrows naming several countries and their distances in French/kilometers
]]>
December 1 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...
https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/events/2023-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-idpd
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/136739/guest@my.umbc.edu/d367801e9688570b1b41b2aa1dcc37b5/api/pixel
access
accessibility
accommodation
day
disability
international
nations
person
service
technology
umbc
united
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941
Office of Accessibility & Disability Services
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/136/739/6e32a8e921c9158efaf09fd2e882a0e1/xxlarge.jpg?1701366610
https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/136/739/6e32a8e921c9158efaf09fd2e882a0e1/xlarge.jpg?1701366610
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/136/739/6e32a8e921c9158efaf09fd2e882a0e1/large.jpg?1701366610
https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/136/739/6e32a8e921c9158efaf09fd2e882a0e1/medium.jpg?1701366610
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/136/739/6e32a8e921c9158efaf09fd2e882a0e1/small.jpg?1701366610
https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/136/739/6e32a8e921c9158efaf09fd2e882a0e1/xsmall.jpg?1701366610
https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/136/739/6e32a8e921c9158efaf09fd2e882a0e1/xxsmall.jpg?1701366610
5
0
false
Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:09:38 -0500
REPOST: Accessibility, Alt Text, AI and Ally For The Win
Instructional Tech on Inclusion during NDLW
Instructional Technology/Dr. Mariann Hawken's shared about creating accessible course content via myUMBC for National Distance Learning Week. That informative post is shared via ADS here:
Providing accessible images is a crucial step to ensure inclusivity and equal access to learning. When images are properly described, students using screen readers are able to access an equitable educational environment. We use the alternative text field when placing images in documents, presentations, and in our Blackboard courses.
There are several tools available to help faculty with accessible images.
- Ally Course Accessibility Report provides a big picture overview of your course's accessibility score, growing content by type and identifying issues in your course that is easiest to fix. Clicking the Start button will open a panel that helps you find the images and enter alternative text for those images in your course.
- When using images in Google Slides or Documents, you can click on the image to activate a new menu, Format Options. Select Alt Text to enter a description. Repeat this process for every image.
- When embedding images into Microsoft Word/PowerPoint files, you can improve accessibility with a simple right-click on the image. This action will activate a menu where you can find Edit Alt Text. If the image does not contain information, such as a stylistic border, you can mark it as decorative.
What if your course uses complex images, bursting with intricate details? How can you ensure that every student, regardless of visual ability, fully grasps their significance?
ChatGPT 4* offers powerful image input functionality, allowing you to upload an image and generate complex descriptions. With its advanced language capabilities, ChatGPT can analyze an image, identify key elements, and produce informative alternative text that conveys the essence of the image. For example, we uploaded three complex images to generate extended descriptions of 100 words or less.
Alt-text-left: An image of Italy with no landmarks indicated. The AI identified specific geographical features based on the prompt and follow-up refinement.
Alt-text-center: An image of a desolate road in a dense autumn forest. The AI was not provided with specific instructions, yet produced a richly detailed description of the image.
Alt-text-right: An infographic about online learning modes. The AI identified three sections supporting online, hybrid, and in-person learning and the various delivery models within each scope.
It's important to note that ChatGPT might not always perfectly interpret every image, especially if it's highly abstract or intricate, and it might take a more cautious approach to its interpretation if it doesn't have sufficient context or guidance from the prompt provided with the image upload. As such, it's always a good practice to review the generated description to ensure its accuracy and appropriateness for your students. Follow-up questions can refine the output produced by ChatGPT, or instructors can revise the description.
For more information about accessibility or using AI tools, please contact Instructional Technology. To discover more about the impact of AI on distance education and training, the U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is hosting virtual webinars during the sixteenth annual National Distance Learning Week (Nov 6-10, 2023). All sessions are free to attend, but require registration via USDLA.
~ Mariann Hawken
UMBC resources for campus members with disabilities include: Student Disability Services, Accessibility and Disability Services (Employees and Visitors), and UMBC's online form for reporting accessibility concerns.