The University of Iowa Council on Disability Awareness (CDA) recently announced its new officers for 2012-13.

They are Carly Armour, co-chair, disability advisor with Student Disability Services; Teresa Kout, co-chair, participant services coordinator in study abroad services with UI International Programs; Kathy Ford, public relations coordinator and administrative coordinator and assistant to chair, UI Department of Music; and Deanna Carter, treasurer and assistant professor, UI Department of Dance, both in the Division of Performing Arts in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The secretary position is currently open.

The council is comprised of UI staff, faculty, students, and community members working together to encourage the inclusion of individuals with and without disabilities in all aspects of life at the UI.

Members of CDA represent several departments and organizations across campus. Representatives are also from community organizations including Access 2 Independence and the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

CDA members are involved in different events including Disabilities Awareness Month in October with the Regent's Disability Summit Oct. 10 at the University of Northern Iowa. The UI Chief Diversity Office/Disability Planning and Action Committee will host its own Disability Celebration in October on campus with more information to be posted on the CDA website.

CDA will also host a Mental Health Awareness Campaign encouraging the campus to wear a shirt with the quote ““Give Depression a Voice…Talk About It” on each Friday during the month of October. Those who want a shirt can contact carly-armour@uiowa.edu.

Interested individuals are welcome to attend monthly CDA meetings and participate in ongoing events. For more information or a complete list of meeting times and locations visit www.uiowa.edu/cda.