November is American Diabetes Month! 85 Years of Progress, Hope, and Action

Since 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has been a relentless force for change and fighting for those affected by diabetes through research, advocacy, education, and community. This American Diabetes Month, we reflect on the journey that has transformed lives and continues to inspire progress.

A Legacy of Breakthroughs and Compassion

The Good Fight: It All Matters

Eighty-five years later, the ADA remains at the forefront of the fight to end diabetes. From improving access to care and advocating for equitable treatment, to funding cutting-edge research and building supportive communities—the mission endures.

This American Diabetes Month, we celebrate the courage, resilience, and unity of everyone impacted by diabetes—those who live with it, those who support loved ones, and the healthcare heroes who dedicate their lives to care and research.

Supporting Our Community During Diabetes Awareness Month

For UMBC students and employees who are managing diabetes, whether newly diagnosed or navigating ongoing treatment, please know that Student Disability Services (SDS) is here to support you. Diabetes has a broad global impact and meets the definition of a disability. At times, concerns about managing its flares—especially for individuals with Type 1 diabetes—arise, so we encourage students and staff to seek on-campus resources such as:

If your health needs are affecting your academics or work, we encourage you to register with Student Disability Services (SDS) to explore available accommodations and support options. We're committed to ensuring you have access, understanding, and the resources you need to thrive. 

Get involved and make a difference!

Expanding Awareness Beyond Diabetes

While we honor American Diabetes Month, November also highlights many important causes that intersect with accessibility, inclusion, and health. As we enter a month known for travel, shared meals, and family gatherings, let's make our celebrations more inclusive and disability-friendly with thoughtful approaches to dining and travel.

Inclusive Celebrations and Accessible Cooking

People with disabilities also host fabulous meals and lead the way in accessible cooking:

Want to bring some disability-friendly ideas into kitchens this season? Check out cooking hacks for chefs with disabilities and Fall recipes from The Accessible Chef to inspire your table.

Accessible Travel and Broader Awareness

Travel is also a highlight of this season—so here's a more inclusive list of tips to ease travel hassles for all kinds of disabilities.

And as we raise awareness this month, we also recognize:


]]> Since 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has been a relentless force for change and fighting for those affected by diabetes through research, advocacy, education, and community. This... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/154216/guest@my.umbc.edu/2af3630cfa933697ad8ef82bb51b0614/api/pixel accessibility american awareness campus chronic diabetes disability equity health illness inclusion month sds services student support umbc wellness 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/000/154/216/6ac1ebd04a86b45a2fc307bbd42aad01/xxlarge.jpg?1762283008 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/154/216/6ac1ebd04a86b45a2fc307bbd42aad01/xlarge.jpg?1762283008 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/154/216/6ac1ebd04a86b45a2fc307bbd42aad01/large.jpg?1762283008 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/154/216/6ac1ebd04a86b45a2fc307bbd42aad01/medium.jpg?1762283008 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/154/216/6ac1ebd04a86b45a2fc307bbd42aad01/small.jpg?1762283008 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/154/216/6ac1ebd04a86b45a2fc307bbd42aad01/xsmall.jpg?1762283008 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/154/216/6ac1ebd04a86b45a2fc307bbd42aad01/xxsmall.jpg?1762283008 An image of a woman injecting herself with diabetes medication. The text reads "November is Diabetes Awareness Month." 4 0 false Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:00:27 -0500 Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:00:52 -0500 Heading into the Holiday Season with Disability Awareness and Inclusion A Cornucopia of Ideas, Capabilities and Celebrations
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!


]]> 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... http://www.accessibility.umbc.edu https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/145468/guest@my.umbc.edu/29aaf67d3e12a9018b0ac6cd66067e2c/api/pixel accessibility american autism copd diabetes dining disability epilepsy hacks holiday inclusion indigenous native november thanksgiving tips travel 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/000/145/468/244a01310cdd05930bafd7392d3c4f86/xxlarge.jpg?1731029712 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/468/244a01310cdd05930bafd7392d3c4f86/xlarge.jpg?1731029712 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/468/244a01310cdd05930bafd7392d3c4f86/large.jpg?1731029712 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/468/244a01310cdd05930bafd7392d3c4f86/medium.jpg?1731029712 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/468/244a01310cdd05930bafd7392d3c4f86/small.jpg?1731029712 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/468/244a01310cdd05930bafd7392d3c4f86/xsmall.jpg?1731029712 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/468/244a01310cdd05930bafd7392d3c4f86/xxsmall.jpg?1731029712 harvested vegetables: squash, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, pepper next to diabetes/insulin monitoring devices 0 0 false Fri, 29 Nov 2024 23:59:46 -0500 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 20:15:04 -0400 Accessibility and Disability Update: May News and Events AAPI, GAAD, DAPi + Nominate UMBC Accessibility Champions
May contains multitudes beyond finals and commencements:

Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) Heritage Month has a lot of intersectionality with disability beyond luminaries like Alice Wong and local Lydia X. Y. Brown -  Read more about the Asian Americans with Disabilities Initiative here.

May 16th is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) - click on the link to learn more about how to celebrate and enhance accessibility, especially digital accessibility, such as:

Know or experience a UMBC faculty or a department that champions accessibility?  NOMINATE THEM for the ADS Accessibility Trailblazer Award via this link.  Last year's awardees:

Dr. Laura Rose, Psychology (Faculty) and the Chemistry Department (2023)

Want to learn more about course accessibility, read on:

On May 21st Improve Course Accessibility with a 30 minute Quick Start with Instructional Technology, faculty can sign up for this online session here.

Learn more about ADS collaboration with UMBC's Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence research on neurodiversity in language teaching and learning (TESOL)

Also, on May 10, UMBC's Gamma Kappa chapter of Delta Alphi Pi International Honor Society for students with disabilities had its Induction, welcoming seven (7) new member and celebrating three graduating seniors.

In closing, don't forget to take care of yourself (Take the Moment) throughout all of May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month!
]]> May contains multitudes beyond finals and commencements: Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) Heritage Month has a lot of intersectionality with disability beyond luminaries like Alice... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/141941/guest@my.umbc.edu/c6e614a6a25b08352394a2a89f21e57b/api/pixel aapi accessibility ally alpha american asian autism awareness blackboard brown buendens champion day delta department disability faculty fulbright gaad gamma globla health heritage islander kappa kostgen language learning lydia may mental month neurodiversity nominate pacific pi tesol wong 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/000/141/941/f1115c8027498aeac65064341c26b183/xxlarge.jpg?1715634155 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/941/f1115c8027498aeac65064341c26b183/xlarge.jpg?1715634155 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/941/f1115c8027498aeac65064341c26b183/large.jpg?1715634155 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/941/f1115c8027498aeac65064341c26b183/medium.jpg?1715634155 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/941/f1115c8027498aeac65064341c26b183/small.jpg?1715634155 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/941/f1115c8027498aeac65064341c26b183/xsmall.jpg?1715634155 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/141/941/f1115c8027498aeac65064341c26b183/xxsmall.jpg?1715634155 3 0 false Tue, 14 May 2024 08:10:46 -0400 How Do You Sign Black Lives Matter? Race, Identity and Context: Angelenos and Gallaudet weigh in
The constantly evolving world of inclusive language that UMBC explored last week extends to the nuance, dialect and context of Black American Sign Language within the Deaf* and Black community.  In this national, and now global, moment of affirmation with Black Lives Matter, the Black and Deaf community explore the haunting question, "Am I Next?"**

While the protests continue, American Sign Language, and interpreting while Black and Deaf* is complicated by race, history, local dialect and more as this linked article explores.

Rorri Burton, an American Sign Language interpreter who has been working for Los Angeles County, breaks down how to sign “Black Lives Matter” in ASL and explains why not everyone signs it the same way in this related video (link).

Related history from Carolyn McCaskill, a professor at Gallaudet University's Department of ASL and Deaf Studies, explains how deaf African Americans show their shared identity through BASL, beginning with her experience in Mobile Alabama via this supplemental video (link).

Black Deaf Culture Through the Lens of Black Deaf History by Benro Ogunyipe  provides additional background (Link)

Some hope as we hold fast to the dream of creating progress:  Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (part of Gallaudet) signing BLM's guiding principles with this linked video:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKloUuV_M2A


*Most members of the Deaf community use identity-first language, however it is a best practice to ask and get a clear understanding of how a person with a disability would like to be identified. We value consent as a community, as well as the agency of a person with a disability to decide how they, and their experiences, are represented by others.  We encourage everyone to provide that respect.

We must avoid paternalism and internalized ableism by making assumptions about the wishes of others and speak from our own concerns, even if it's to discern supplemental information that has been shared via direct communication.  Accessibility and Disability Services wants to follow up on disability-related questions and concerns from anyone, especially allies, who may benefit from more information about disability-related rumors, concerns and questions via email: slazar@umbc.edu, phone 410-455-5745 (it's forwarded and has voicemail) and our online reporting form (link).  We appreciate all that our community partners and allies do to co-create a welcoming and inclusive community for people with disabilities.

**Am I Next? Written and Produced by ⁣⁣ Natasha Ofili & Storm Smith⁣⁣

Thumbnail photo of protester's sign "I'm DEAF, but I HEAR YOU #BLM" ]]> The constantly evolving world of inclusive language that UMBC explored last week extends to the nuance, dialect and context of Black American Sign Language within the Deaf* and Black community. ... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/93693/guest@my.umbc.edu/50dc566dcbc6294c3ad2e14be33208b1/api/pixel american asl audism black blm burton carolyn deaf galludet intersection language lives matter mccaskill race rorri sign white 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/000/093/693/1b7cd6dd486fdd631a020dcdf57a9e17/xxlarge.jpg?1592406552 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/093/693/1b7cd6dd486fdd631a020dcdf57a9e17/xlarge.jpg?1592406552 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/093/693/1b7cd6dd486fdd631a020dcdf57a9e17/large.jpg?1592406552 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/093/693/1b7cd6dd486fdd631a020dcdf57a9e17/medium.jpg?1592406552 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/093/693/1b7cd6dd486fdd631a020dcdf57a9e17/small.jpg?1592406552 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/093/693/1b7cd6dd486fdd631a020dcdf57a9e17/xsmall.jpg?1592406552 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/093/693/1b7cd6dd486fdd631a020dcdf57a9e17/xxsmall.jpg?1592406552 4 0 false Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:47:30 -0400 Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:48:02 -0400