SDS/ADS Fall 2025 Events Calendar Accessibility in action this Fall!

We are excited to share our Fall 2025 events with you. Students, staff, and faculty are all welcome to attend. From accessibility workshops and campus Walk & Roll Tours to Tea Time with Tori, we are offering a variety of opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with our community.

Please visit our [Events Page] to RSVP for the sessions you plan to attend so we can anticipate your participation.

A list of SDS/ADS Fall 2025 Events

Fall 2025 Highlights:

  • September 4: ADS-SDS Welcome & Open House Drop-in (Noon, MP 222)

  • September 8, 24, October 3, 8, 27: Campus Accessibility Walk & Roll Tours (Noon, MP 222)

  • September 12: ADA 101: Working with ADS/SDS, Requirements, Universal Design & Inclusion, Q&A (Noon, Commons 331, tentative)

  • September 25, October 24, November 26: Tea Time with Tori (Noon, MP 222)

  • October 13: Disability Awareness Month Film Screening: Quad Life (4:30–7 PM, UC 310)

  • October 15: Campus Accessibility: Facilities Management & ADS Project Discussion (Hybrid, Noon, ENG 027)

  • October 17: Accessible Documents and Course Materials: PDFs, PPTs, and More (Noon, MP 222)

  • October 21: FMLA & Job Accommodations (Non-Supervisors) (Noon, Online)

  • October 27: FMLA & Job Accommodations (Supervisors) (11 AM, Online)

We look forward to seeing you this semester.

Contact us: disability@umbc.edu | (410) 455-2459 | sds.umbc.edu

These events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all.  For additional inquiries about access or accommodation, please email disability@umbc.edu.

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Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services, in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the movement  with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this together, indeed, we are stronger together for mental health.



One challenging area is ending the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health or substance use disorders - On Our Own of Maryland's Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local Anti-Stigma initiative that support mental health by working to end stigma.  More information on their campaign (beyond some of the swag on campus) is linked here.

In addition to the above resources and information, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined below.


Students (undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:

If a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests via Student Disability Services (link) and work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services (link).  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student worker job-related situations.

Community

While some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen and help via the following resources:


Have a safe and healthy month!

Photo person wearing a black shirt with MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS in white capital letters displayed credit Matthew Ball via  Unsplash
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Happy New Year!

Accessibility and Disability Services, including Student Disability Services (SDS) will operate remotely this week (January 3rd through 7th) during regular business hours (8:30am through 4:30pm) and, in general, staff will not be available on campus to proctor in-person tests.  Employee accommodation requests and inquiries can be made online the ADS website (link). SDS questions and testing matters for this week should be emailed to disability@umbc.edu.  

As you know, UMBC has asked that students, staff, and faculty delay their return to campus, if at all possible, due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.  Anyone who wishes to return to campus must have a recent negative COVID test on file as well as meeting additional requirements.  See https://covid19.umbc.edu/

For students - the overwhelming majority of winter session courses are being taught online, and those courses with tests will be administered online as well.  Registered SDS students who would like to utilize approved testing accommodations for a Winter 2022 course,  must submit a Semester Request so that SDS can send your Letter of Accommodations to the instructor.  Instructions for submitting a Semester Request can be found at https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodate-semester-request/

For those who are new to requesting accommodations due to their health condition each process is available remotely 24/7 - however it is best to apply as soon as practical - details are here:

ADS and SDS will update operations and availability for next week as more information becomes available.

Stay safe and stay healthy!

ADS and SDS Staff

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Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services joins the movement  with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this together.

You are not alone - is more than a tagline:  more information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) is linked here.

Community Conversations are locally-hosted series of webinars that support mental health as we shift toward a more-vaccinated future.

NAMI's Strength over Silence series features stories of courage, culture and community to share lived experiences, resilience and recovery from African American, Latinx and other under-represented communities in anticipation of National Minority Mental Health Month in July.

In addition to the above resources and information, UMBC Fitness and Wellness has many activities that boost mental health - check out their myUMBC page here.  Other local resources are outlined below.


Students (undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:

UMBC Counseling Center (Link) which includes
University Health Services (link)
Wellness Initiative (link)
UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Student Group

Faculty and staff mental health supports available through Human Resources include:
If a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests via Student Disability Services (link) and work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services (link).  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student worker job-related situations.

Community

While some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen and help via the following resources:


Have a safe and healthy month!

Photo person wearing a black shirt with MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS in white capital letters displayed credit Matthew Ball via  Unsplash
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Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services joins the movement  with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this together.

More information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) is linked here.

While more people are on campus now we are sharing,  NAMI's Strength over Silence series  which provides stories of courage, culture and community to share lived experiences, resilience and recovery from African American and Latinx communities in anticipation of National Minority Mental Health Month in July.

Mindfulness and meditation practices can boost mental health - look into these apps to engage in this practice at a time that works best for you:

Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/
Smiling Mind:  https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
Calm: https://www.calm.com/
Head Space: https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
UCLA Mindful: https://www.uclahealth.org/ucla-mindful
Stop, Breathe, Think: https://www.stopbreathethink.com/

Being physically active also boosts mental health. If you would like to do more than walk around your neighborhood, see what classes UMBC's Recreation Department offers for remote participation via this link to their website.


While Accessibility & Disability Services works with faculty, staff, and student employee work accommodations and campus accessibility, and Student Disability Services manage academic accommodation requests, the following links for campus and community-based information and resources offer more depth:

Students (undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:

UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Group

UMBC Counseling Center (Link) which includes
University Health Services (link)
Wellness Initiative (link)

Faculty and staff mental health supports available through Human Resources include

UMBC's Wellness Initiative
Connecting with mental health providers and wellness coaches through employee health benefits, as well as
24/7 free confidential counseling via the Employee Assistance Program (link)

If a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests via Student Disability Services (link) and work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services (link).  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student worker job-related situations.

Community

While some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen and help at any time, including:


Have a safe and healthy month!

Photo illuminated neon "Open" sign by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash
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Undergraduate and graduate students who are immunocompromised in this manner may request new or supplemental academic accommodation by contacting Student Disability Services (link) via phone 410-455-2459, email disAbility@umbc.edu or through their Accommodate account.

Similarly immunocompromised UMBC employees - faculty, staff, and students - who wish to discuss work accommodation options shall contact Accessibility & Disability Services via phone 410-455-5745 or email slazar@umbc.edu if the need arises.


Follow UMBC's COVID-19 website for updates. 

March 16 update: The ADS office has resumed operating remotely, we look forward to working with you - give us a call, send us an email, or initiate the work accommodation process online (link).

Campus members with other risk factors (e.g. age, someone else at home) may also have questions. Support and instructions for all high-risk employees (beyond faculty, staff and student workers with disabilities) are linked here, 

General information for faculty with the provision of academic continuity if an emergency situation arises can be found on DoIT's website and Instructional Technology's myUMBC page.



]]> The COVID-19/Coronavirus situation can raise specific concerns for faculty, staff and students with compromised or suppressed immune systems due to a disability.  Campus members with diagnosed... https://accessibility.umbc.edu/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91077/guest@my.umbc.edu/102be9dd99ebb1c8dd750c2184024e2a/api/pixel accommodation cancer center coronavirus counseling covid disability faculty hiv hr human immunocompromised interactive leave organ resources staff student telework uhs 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/000/091/077/ab2f2370573e20f58dc8b5d7e79226d9/xxlarge.jpg?1583519515 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/091/077/ab2f2370573e20f58dc8b5d7e79226d9/xlarge.jpg?1583519515 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/091/077/ab2f2370573e20f58dc8b5d7e79226d9/large.jpg?1583519515 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/091/077/ab2f2370573e20f58dc8b5d7e79226d9/medium.jpg?1583519515 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/091/077/ab2f2370573e20f58dc8b5d7e79226d9/small.jpg?1583519515 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/091/077/ab2f2370573e20f58dc8b5d7e79226d9/xsmall.jpg?1583519515 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/091/077/ab2f2370573e20f58dc8b5d7e79226d9/xxsmall.jpg?1583519515 3 0 false Fri, 06 Mar 2020 19:45:17 -0500 Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:16:39 -0400 Designing Courses Inclusively for Students w/Disabilities Faculty know-how w/Blackboard Ally & UMBC Instructional Tech Instructional Technology is hosting a series of events for National Distance Learning Week, and many of concepts and skills that are imparted directly support better outcomes for students with disabilities.  These same strategies also work for faculty and staff with disabilities who use Blackboard to communicate with their classes, senates or groups.  Blackboard Ally has features and tools to support how content is shared with distance learners which can include a higher proportion of students with disabilities.

Universal Design for Learning, Accessible Content and Blackboard Ally is a one-hour session on Tuesday November 5, 2019 at noon, which includes lunch if you RSVP, and it also has an online option via Blackboard Collaborate.  Details are here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/76798

Additional course offerings next week can also increase accessibility of course materials, such as the adoption of Open Educational Resources, during which faculty share their experience with OER, use cases and resources.

We want more accessibility in course design, and we hope to see you there!

Accompanying thumbnail image:  hand holding sign stating "we want more"
]]> Instructional Technology is hosting a series of events for National Distance Learning Week, and many of concepts and skills that are imparted directly support better outcomes for students with... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/76798 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/88083/guest@my.umbc.edu/6b393f1bd61092430ccfd0c2ea205b59/api/pixel academic access accessibility accommodation ally blackboard cripple disability distance faculty handicap instruction learning staff student training 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/Instructional https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/088/083/317dd83cdefa95e3cb5b3f6f8ed3a72b/xxlarge.jpg?1572643288 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/088/083/317dd83cdefa95e3cb5b3f6f8ed3a72b/xlarge.jpg?1572643288 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/088/083/317dd83cdefa95e3cb5b3f6f8ed3a72b/large.jpg?1572643288 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/088/083/317dd83cdefa95e3cb5b3f6f8ed3a72b/medium.jpg?1572643288 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/088/083/317dd83cdefa95e3cb5b3f6f8ed3a72b/small.jpg?1572643288 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/088/083/317dd83cdefa95e3cb5b3f6f8ed3a72b/xsmall.jpg?1572643288 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/088/083/317dd83cdefa95e3cb5b3f6f8ed3a72b/xxsmall.jpg?1572643288 0 0 false Fri, 01 Nov 2019 17:45:41 -0400 World Autism Awareness Day is TODAY! Celebrate with Darryl Hannah, Dan Akyroyd, Temple Grandin...
The United Nations has declared April 2nd World Autism Awareness Day, and with its prevalence - which was recently updated by the CDC to occurring in 1 in 59 live births in the United States - UMBC has plenty to celebrate among 14,000 students and ~3,000 employees.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear in early childhood and affect a person's ability to communicate and interact with others to varying degrees. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum condition".  There is no known single cause of autism, and early intervention leads to significantly improved outcomes.  Some of the associated behaviors include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills and sensory sensitivities.  It bears repeating that a person on the spectrum might follow many of these behaviors, or just a few, or be subject to additional diagnostic criteria. The diagnosis is based on the totality of behaviors and their severity*.

What can you do if someone discloses that they have autism?
  • Don't jump to conclusions or make assumptions about what the individual's particular challenges related to autism may or may not be.  Every individual on the autism spectrum is different
  • Listen for why they might be disclosing to you.  They may only want to be better understood. If they have academic concerns related to their autism, they can work with Student Disability Services for specialized support, beyond existing resources for all students like the Learning Resource Center.  For campus work concerns beyond what Human Resources routinely covers, the Employee Accommodation Request process begins online.
  • Consider your role when information is shared with you.  As a peer, friend or colleague, ask them before disclosing to others.  As a supervisor, you might have a more nuanced discussion about if and how they might want the information shared with others if they are not requesting an accommodation.
  • If you are unfamiliar with autism, learn more about it**.
Individuals with autism are a reservoir of talent, and UMBC's community is enhanced by the inclusion of people who are known to be highly analytical, very focused and very task-oriented.  Dan Ackyroyd turned his youthful focus on law enforcement and the supernatural into the screenplay for Ghostbusters.  What will the rising tide of Autism Awareness bring with the next generation?

Feel free to extend the celebration by exploring the following links:

**Some reading

Disabled in Grad School: Autism Month
United Nations World Autism Awareness Day
Autism Awareness at Work
Interviewing and Autism - explore some tools for the hiring process
(*)Autism Society


**Some Viewing

Temple Grandin: The World Needs All Kinds of Minds 
Rosie King: How Autism Freed Me to Be Myself 
Sarai Pahla: Women and Autism
Autism in Love
Life, Animated

More locally, we have a student forming a self-advocacy group.  If you are interested in connecting, stop by Student Disability Services in Math/Psych 212 for a flyer or email slazar@umbc.edu for contact information.

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His advice for seeking accommodation? Get ahead of it if you can.  UMBC faculty, staff and student employees can learn more and request accommodation via UMBC's Employee Accommodation site linked here.  If you have questions about disability and reasonable accommodation on the job, contact Stephanie Lazarus, Accessibility Manager via 410-455-5745 or slazar@umbc.edu.  
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