Participants are invited to register for the Iowa Regents Institutions 2013 Disability Awareness Summit Thursday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Suite 2520 of the University Capitol Centre in downtown Iowa City. The theme is "Tools for Change."
All three state institutions are partnering on the summit, which is free and open to participants from post-secondary schools only from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and to both members of the community and post-secondary school participants from 1 to 4 p.m.
"The experience of people with disabilities in higher education continues to improve through both awareness and legislation," says UI Director of Student Disability Services Mark Harris. "For those of us working in the field, we want the summit to be full of practical information regarding putting our commitment into action."
During the morning, there will be affinity groups for technology, disability service for students, employment disability services, disability policy and compliance, and facilities.
Julie Brinkhoff, project director for the Great Plains ADA Center, will give the keynote address over the lunch hour. Brinkhoff has given numerous presentations on all areas of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) including employment, Title II entities obligations, web accessibility, and accessible web software. She oversees the Great Plains ADA Center's website and has a special interest in development and dissemination of user-friendly ADA information. Brinkhoff will also participate in an afternoon workshop.
"The experience of people with disabilities in higher education continues to improve through both awareness and legislation."
—UI Director of Student Disability Services Mark Harris
Afternoon workshop topics include the following: "Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals: Legal Issues and Challenges"; "Partnerships in Accessibility: The University of Iowa Facilities Toolbox for Change and the Hawkeye Accessibility Ambassadors"; "IT Accessibility: Reaching Everyone with Accessible Content"; and "Mental Health Disabilities in Higher Education: Advocacy and Accommodation."
Though the summit is free, registration is required by Oct. 4 or earlier if the event reaches its full capacity of 90 participants. Those who wish to register can do so online here. For more information or a schedule, visit the Disability Awareness Summit website.
The summit will culminate with a UI Disability Celebration from 4 to 5 p.m., also in the University Capitol Centre, which is free and open to the public. UI President Sally Mason will present this year’s Above and Beyond and Braverman Scholarship Awards. There will also be a presentation on the installment of hearing loops on the UI campus.
The UI Chief Diversity Office is sponsoring the event, and the following entities are organizing the summit and celebration: staff from the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity in the Chief Diversity Office, Student Disability Services, Faculty and Staff Disability Services, ITS, and UI Facilities Management.
The summit and celebration are just two of many events and initiatives taking place on the UI campus and in the local community during October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The month is organized by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity with support from many other offices and organizations, including the UI Council on Disability Awareness.
For more information on the summit and celebration, visit here.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this summit or the celebration, contact the UI Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity in the Chief Diversity Office in advance at 319-335-0705, 319-335-0697 (TDD), or at diversity@uiowa.edu.