U of A Celebrating Disability Awareness Month Throughout October

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The U of A is committed to providing an accessible, usable and welcoming environment for faculty, staff, students, applicants, visitors and participants in programs and services on our campus.

Throughout the month of October, the U of A will be hosting educational opportunities and honoring some members of its campus community as part of National Disability Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.”

"We are proud to continue providing educational opportunities to our campus community about disability topics," said J'onnelle Colbert-Diaz, director of accommodation and accessibility services/ADA coordinator. "Disability Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to highlight the day-to-day work the campus does. We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities."

It is the policy of the U of A to provide equal access and opportunity to qualified persons with disabilities in compliance with Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008. The university prohibits discrimination based on disability in all services, programs and activities, aspects of the application process and employment relationship. The university will make good-faith efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants, employees, students, visitors and participants in programs and services.

As part of this year’s theme, the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services within the Department of Equal Opportunity, Compliance and Title IX (OEOC) will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate the campus community on disability issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture.

These efforts include a series of informative webinars on topics related to disability awareness and the first Disability Awareness Awards ceremony. Registration is required for all events. Webinars will cover a varity of topics including: advertising accessibility, disability etiquette and accessible attitudes.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• PDF and Advertising Accessibility Webinar: Tuesday, Oct. 18 – 1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Disability Etiquette Webinar: Thursday, Oct. 20 - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
• Accessible Attitudes Webinar: Monday, Oct. 24 – 10 - 11:30 a.m.
• Disability Awareness Recognition Event: Thursday, Oct. 27 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The webinars have been approved for SHRM PDC credits. The Department of Equal Opportunity, Compliance and Title IX is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits for the trademarked SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification activities.

More About Accessability at the U of A

Accessibility is the degree to which a product, device, program, service, resource or environment is available to a given user. If a building on campus has a wheelchair ramp leading to its main entrance, that entrance is accessible to wheelchair users. If a lecture includes sign language interpreters, that lecture is accessible to attendees who are deaf or hard of hearing and who understand sign language.

It is the policy of the U of A to provide equal access and opportunity to qualified persons with disabilities in compliance with Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008. The university prohibits discrimination based on disability in all services, programs and activities, aspects of the application process and employment relationship. The university will make good-faith efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants, employees, students, visitors and participants in programs and services.

The U of A provides academic and housing accomodations through the Center for Educational Access. For employees, including student employees (GA/TA/RA) seeking workplace or housing accomodations, the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services is available also.

The university also offers resources for vistors. Vistors are asked to give a 10 business day notice for accommodations when visiting campus. For accommodations for campus visits, please contact the Office of Admissions.

An interactive map is also available that highlights accessible building entrances and also gives direction to accessible parking spots, accessible entry points and single-use bathrooms across campus.

Accessibility doesn’t just apply to the physical campus. Razorback paratransit services are also available and can be utilized for anyone who qualifies. For more information about paratransit services at the U of A, please visit the “Getting Around” tab on the accessibility website.

For more information about how the U of A is continuing to be an accessible campus for all, please visit the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services website.