University Holds First Disabilities Awareness Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas will hold the first Disabilities Awareness Week starting Tuesday, April 19, with guest speakers, an educational forum, and the “Step Into Our World Experience” program, which provides wheelchair and visual impairment simulations. There will be drawings held for prizes during the events, ranging from iPods to a $2,000 Visa gift card.

“Our students with disabilities have important viewpoints and contributions to make to this campus,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “Creating awareness of what daily life can be like for these students can only help to ensure that their voice is heard and respected. We always strive to be an inclusive university community that serves the needs of all of our students. This is what our ‘students first’ philosophy is all about.”

The awareness week kicks off with a luncheon and keynote address on Tuesday, April 19, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Multicultural Center in the Arkansas Union. The keynote speaker is Deidre Davis, director of Americans with Disabilities Act Services for Walmart since 2005. She has been involved in the conceptualization, drafting, implementation and enforcement of civil rights legislation for 20 years. The Fair Housing Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act are among her areas of expertise. Due to space limitations this event is open to the first 50 people who RSVP to the Campus Life Center at 575-5255. All other events are open to the public.

Step Into Our World Experience is a disability simulation to help people understand what it is like to navigate the campus while either in a wheelchair or as someone with impaired vision. This event will be held Wednesday, April 20, from noon to 4 p.m. on the Central Quad between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library. During this experience there will be a community disability resource fair adjacent to the simulation, with information from various community and campus disability agencies.

"University of Arkansas students are very understanding and appreciative of the overall diversity of the student body," said Danny Pugh, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students. "This first-ever Disability Awareness Week at the university presents a wonderful opportunity for our students to enhance and expand their current beliefs regarding persons with disabilities and gain important insight into the lives of others."

The event was planned and organized by several groups on campus, and those who volunteer to help with the various activities can sign up for community service hours through the Volunteer Action Center, at volunteer.uark.edu.

“I hope that this experience will inspire students to ask questions they have never asked and to gain a greater awareness of the strengths and needs of those living with disabilities,’ said George Turner, a junior from Dallas who is majoring in communications and came up with the idea for Disabilities Awareness Week on the University of Arkansas campus. “My hope is that this event is just a starting point for student participants and that they will be inspired to learn more and be driven to do more.”

The week’s final event is a talk by motivational speaker Spencer West.

“Inspirational and charismatic, Spencer West speaks candidly about the struggles he overcame after losing his legs at the age of five. He speaks about overcoming stereotyping and bullying, about finding meaning and happiness in a material world and how he never lost the hope or courage needed to mount personal obstacles,” states his website. “Infused with humor and humility, his thought-provoking message inspires people to find opportunity in every challenge. With every speech, Spencer leaves an indelible mark on his audiences, instilling hope and strong leadership so that they can inspire others to create positive change.” An educational student forum will be held immediately following West’s presentation.

There will be prizes given throughout the week, starting at the Step Into Our World Experience on April 20. Current students who participate in one of the events will be entered into the drawing for all prizes, from T-shirts and gift cards to local restaurants, to iPods and Visa gift cards.

The $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 Visa gift cards will be drawn for during the final event, and students must be present to win.

Disabilities Awareness Week Schedule of Events:

• Tuesday, April 19, Noon to 2 p.m., Multicultural Center: Keynote address luncheon by Deidre Davis, director of ADA services for Walmart. RSVP required, open to the first 50 responders.

• Wednesday, April 20, Noon to 4 p.m., Central Quad between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library: Step Into Our World Experience, wheelchair and visual impairment simulations. Community disability resource fair adjacent to the “experience.”

• Thursday, April 21, 7-8:30 p.m., Reynolds Center Auditorium: Spencer West presentation and educational student forum. Winners for the large cash prizes will be drawn, and students must be present to win.