REPOST: International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 Disability-inclusive leadership and participation matters

December 3rd 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 2022 is transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.  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.

UMBC is recognizing this important day with the screening of the documentary, I Didn't See You There on Monday December 5 at 4p in Admin 101 (link) - please join us for this award-winning film, which will be followed by discussion/Q&A.


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/.

UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities.

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

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 discusses IDPD

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

Photo still from I Didn't See You There documentary accompanies this post: Closed reflective doors with fill the screen, showing a large red circus tent with a silouhette of a man in a power wheelchair in the foreground.

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National Disability Awareness Month is a national campaign held in October that raises awareness about issues for people living with disabilities, and celebrates the many and varied contributions of Americans with disabilities.

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

However, the fight is not done.

Americans with disabilities make up almost one-fifth of our population, but are unemployed at a rate that is twice that of people without disabilities; and for women and racial/ethnic minorities with disabilities, the rates are even higher.  People with disabilities still face discrimination by employers, limited access to skills training, and, too often, unfairly low expectations.  

We must continue to promote inclusion in the workplace and in our society. 

We must tear down the barriers that remain -- in hearts, minds, and in policies -- to the security and prosperity that stable jobs provide and that all people deserve.  

And we must actively foster a culture in which individuals are supported and accepted for who they are and in which it is okay to disclose one's disability without fear of discrimination. 

The Presidential Proclamation of 2015 states: “America is at its strongest when we harness the talents and celebrate the distinct gifts of all our people.  This October, as we observe the 70th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let us pay tribute to all who fought for better laws, demanded better treatment, and overcome ignorance and indifference to make our Nation more perfect.  In their honor, and for the betterment of generations of Americans to come, let us continue the work of removing obstacles to employment so every American has the chance to develop their skills and make their unique mark on the world we share.”

Disability Awareness Events:
Oct 1 - Open House with Office Accessibility & Disability Services
Oct 7 - Mission Possible! Disability & Accessibility Scavenger Hunt
Oct 23 - Campus Accessibility Project Update and Discussion
Oct 30 - Trick or Treat: Accessibility Walk, Tap, and Roll 

For information on Mosaic Disability centered events, please email Carlos Turcios Coordinator for Student Diversity and Inclusion at carlos6@umbc.edu, Heidy George, Program Associate for Student Diversity and Inclusion at hmg@umbc.edu, or at mosaic@umbc.edu.
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For those who missed it, please click here to view the PAWTalk. 

Be sure to stay tuned on our myUMBC page for next semester's PAWTalks or email Carlos Turcios and Erin Waddles, Coordinators for Student Diversity and Inclusion at carlos6@umbc.edu and waddles@umbc.edu for further details. 

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Dear Members of the UMBC Community,

UMBC is committed to fostering a campus community that promotes and enhances access and inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

As part of our efforts to progress beyond compliance and towards seamless access to University services and spaces, we are pleased to announce the expansion of the Office of Student Disability Services that will now fall under the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services (ADS) within the Division of Academic Affairs. The ADS will be the central office for managing resources, initiatives, and concerns related to accessibility and will serve as the primary resource for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. ADS will also provide expertise to the UMBC community regarding workshops and training, emerging issues, updates on acquisition of resources, facilities planning, and policy reviews. As the focal points, ADS will be responsible for the coordination of all disability accommodation requests by UMBC employees and students and will also serve as the first point of contact for any disability access-related concerns or campus complaints.
ADS will work closely with Facilities Management, Human Resources, Student Affairs, Human Relations, the Division of Information Technology, and the Library to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Current SDS Director, Tawny McManus, will lead the ADS office. We are also excited to announce that Stephanie Lazarus, UMBC's current ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, formerly with the Office of Human Relations, has transitioned to join ADS. Ms. Lazarus will continue to serve as the campus ADA/Section 504 Coordinator and assume the new role of accessibility manager.

We are confident this new centralized structure will offer improved service to the campus community through an organized, multi-disciplinary, comprehensive, and systematic approach to accessibility.

Provost Philip Rous and Antonio Moreira, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs


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