Disability Awareness Week, Oct 7-11, 2024

AUDIENCE: All NEIU Faculty, Staff, and Students

DATE: Monday, September 30, 2024

SUBJECT LINE: Disability Awareness Week, Oct. 7-11

Student Disability Services (SDS) invites the University community to participate in our Inaugural Disability Awareness Week events developed to educate, celebrate, and advocate for our disability community.

Join us for a wide range of workshops and presentations designed to uplift disabled voices and continue working toward an accessible, inclusive campus community. Attendees to the week’s events will be entered for a chance to win prizes!

Monday, Oct. 7

Noon-2:00 p.m.
Engage in a Community-Building event on the Main Campus with the Sins Invalid “Disability Justice from A to Z” coloring book, meet staff from SDS and speak with representatives from the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services.

5:00-6:15 p.m.
Join TRIO Student Support Services Teacher Preparation Program as they host a SPED Teacher Panel in the Main Campus Library’s lower level classroom or via Zoom.

Tuesday, Oct. 8

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
At the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS), faculty, staff and students will be able to participate in a Community-Building event with the Sins Invalid “Disability Justice from A to Z” coloring book, meet staff from SDS and speak with representatives from the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services.

2:00-3:00 p.m.
On the Main Campus, attend a presentation on Employment and Disability in the Student Union, Room SU 003 (cafeteria) by Assistant Director of Career Development Tammy Martin and Student Disability Services Program Director Nathan Rouse on Employment and Disability. A tour of NEIU’s Power Closet will follow.

3:00-4:00 p.m.
Join TRIO Student Support Services Access (Disability) program for their weekly Navigating While Neurodivergent peer support group in the Main Campus Library, 4th Floor, Study Room 401.

Wednesday, Oct. 9

3:00-4:00 p.m.
Professor of English and Disability Studies Ryan Poll, Ph.D., will lead a discussion on Disney and Disability on the Main Campus in Alumni Hall South or via Zoom.

Thursday, Oct. 10

Noon-1:30 p.m.
Aa CCICS we will screen the documentary “Code of the Freaks” with a discussion to follow. 

Noon-1:15 p.m.
At El Centro watch a presentation on NEIU Disability Resources.

2:00-3:00 p.m.
Enjoy “I Am Who I Am,” a performance by special guests Tellin’ Tales Theatre on the Main in Alumni Hall South.

3:00-4:00 p.m.

Following Tellin’ Tales, join current NEIU students as they share their experiences as people with disabilities navigating college and life during a Student Panel.

Friday, Oct. 11

10:00-11:30 a.m. via Zoom,
Join Assistant Professor of Literacy, Leadership, Development and Special Education Jody Siker, Ph.D., and Associate Professor of Literacy, Leadership, Development and Special Education Mark Melton, Ed.D., for a workshop on Supporting Neurodiverse Learners in the College Classroom.

*This Zoom Workshop is an approved professional development activity in Inclusive Pedagogy and Equity-Minded Practices and may be attended as part of faculty and staff annual evaluations.

1:00-2:30 p.m.
The Pedroso Center will host our final event of the week, a screening of the documentary “Code of the Freaks” with a discussion to follow. 

For any of these events, to request disability accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at (773) 442-4595 or sds@neiu.edu at least 48 hours in advance.

Posted on behalf of Amie Jatta, Senior Lead, Student Disability Services, Division of Student Affairs, by Anna Cannova, Public Relations.