Workshops Set for National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance will host nine campus workshops during October as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The educational sessions are intended for U of A staff, faculty and students to raise awareness as well as provide tools and resources pertaining to individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

Advance registration and more information are available through the OEOC website.

Disability Employment Awareness sessions

• 10-11 a.m.  Tuesday,October 1: Requesting Reasonable Accommodations for Employees. Hudson Conference Room, Administration Building, room 429, 1125 W. Maple St. Presenter: Toya Williams, ADA coordinator, U of A Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance. This workshop is intended for U of A faculty and staff.
• 9 – 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2: Everything You Want to Know About ADA Employment Requirements. A livestream presentation by Sashikala Nisankarao, legal specialist for the Southwest ADA Center. Any supervisor attending this presentation can receive credit to satisfy the ADA training requirement.
• 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8: Overcoming Barriers to Inclusion and Access in the Workplace. Pat Walker Health Wellness Center, 616 N. Garland Avenue. Presenters: Melanie Thornton, coordinator of access and equity outreach and Julie Petty, staff member, both with U of A Partners for Inclusive Communities, Southwest ADA Center, Arkansas affiliate.
• 9-11 a.m. or 1– 3 p.m., Thursday Oct. 9:  Identifying Effective Reasonable Accommodations. Pat Walker Health Center, room 2074, , 525 N. Garland Avenue. Presenters: Melanie Thornton, coordinator of access and equity outreach and Roberta Sick, project director, both with Partners for Inclusive Communities, Southwest ADA Center, Arkansas Affiliate; and Toya Williams, ADA coordinator, U of A Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance. This workshop is intended for Human Resources staff and supervisors. Any supervisor attending this presentation can receive credit to satisfy the ADA training requirement.
• 1-2:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10: Disability Etiquette/Sensitivity Informational Session. Pat Walker Health Wellness Center. Presenter: Yvonne Rowland, business engagement administrator, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services.
• 9-10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22: Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace. A livestream presentation by Diego Demaya, director of ADA Technical Assistance, Southwest ADA Center.
• 9-10:30 a.m.; 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23: Assistive Technology and Accommodations in the Workplace. University House, 1002 West Maple Street. Presenters: Bradley Marsh, rehab program coordinator and Nathan Winter, commissioner of access and accommodations, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. A 30-minute interactive demonstration of equipment will follow each presentation.
• 1-3:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25: The Fundamentals of Web Accessibility. A livestream presentation by Joe Dolson, team representative, WordPress Accessibility Team.
• 9-10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 29: Substance Abuse and Alcoholism in the Workplace. A livestream presentation by George Powers, J.D., legal specialist, Southwest ADA Center.
• 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, October 30: Requesting Reasonable Accommodations for Employees. Two sessions: one at the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, room 11, 344 West Avenue; the second is livestreamed; Instructions for logging into the session will be provided to registrants the day prior to the event. Presenter: Toya Williams, ADA coordinator, U of A Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance. This workshop is intended for U of A faculty and staff.

To register for any of the sessions listed above, visit OEOC’s October training calendar at: https://oeoctraining.uark.edu 

Instructions for logging into the Live Stream sessions will be provided to registrants the day prior to the event.

For more information, contact Toya Williams, at 479-575-4019 or oeoc@uark.edu.

About the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance: The Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance engages with the campus community to proactively advance the University’s initiatives and resources to create a more inclusive educational and work environment.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2.7 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.