University News
Disability Awareness Week
March 4, 2008
MACOMB, IL -- Disability Awareness Week (DAW) at Western Illinois University, which will be held Monday-Saturday, March 24-29, provides opportunities for members of the campus community to learn about the physical, learning and attitudinal barriers that face individuals with disabilities.
According to Disability Support Services Director Tara Miller, DAW is designed to promote awareness and change attitudes toward people with disabilities.
"We would like for people to consider the wide variety of abilities and gifts that individuals with disabilities have to offer the community rather than focusing on the disability," she added. "Western is committed to providing services that remove barriers to make University programs accessible for all people, regardless of ability. Accommodations provided by offices such as Disability Support Services (DSS) do not provide unfair advantages for students, rather they level the playing field and provide a fair chance to compete, succeed, learn and demonstrate ability while minimizing functional limitations."
DAW will expose participants to some of the everyday barriers encountered by people with disabilities and the modifications and accommodations that provide equal opportunities to participate and demonstrate ability. The schedule of events follows:
Monday, March 24, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Welcome Reception and Student/Employee Panel, Horrabin Hall 1. Opening remarks will be given by Provost Jack Thomas, and snacks will be provided. This is also the opportunity for members of the campus community to ask the questions they may have always wanted to ask but never felt comfortable asking.
Tuesday, March 25, 10-11:30 a.m.: Tour of accessible housing and Hanson Field stadium contrasted with inaccessible areas, beginning at the southwest entrance of Grote Hall. For more information contact Becca Groves at DSS, 309/298-2512.
Tuesday, March 25, 4-5:30 p.m.: Horn Field Campus accessible climbing tour. Join the Student Therapeutic Recreation Society for a demonstration of accessible climbing equipment and climb the tower at Horn Field Campus.
Wednesday, March 26, 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Faculty Awareness Seminar, University Union Lincoln Room. Presentation of topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the rights and responsibilities of faculty in providing accommodations, universal classroom design and web accessibility. An accessible website review will be held from 1-3 p.m. in the University Union DuSable Room. Faculty will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Instructional Technology Systems Manager Karmon Runquist to test the accessibility of their website. Walk-ins are welcome.
Thursday, March 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Disability Awareness Day (DAD), Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center. DAD focuses on adaptive recreational activities with demonstrations of adaptive equipment and informational booths. Topics include wheelchair rugby and basketball; accessible kayaking, bicycling and climbing; Special Olympics; power soccer; visual impairments; and more. Keynote speaker and WIU alumna Tabi Cooper will discuss her experiences overcoming everyday barriers. Informational exhibits will be presented by the Macomb Park District, University Counseling Center, University Psychology Clinic and West Central Illinois Center for Independent Living.
Saturday, March 29: Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center. Organize a five-person team to participate in the basketball tournament. Sport wheelchairs will be available. For more information contact Judy Yeast at the Student Recreation Center, 309/298-1670.
Disability Awareness Week is sponsored by Disability Support Services, the history, psychology and recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA) departments, Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, RPTA 251, Students for Disability Awareness, Student Therapeutic Recreation Society and Campus Recreation. For more information or to request special accommodations to participate, contact DSS at 309/298-2512.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
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