October is National Disability Awareness Month. This month brings awareness to the value of diverse perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities. The Disability Cultural Center (DCC) is one of the ways Syracuse University lives out its commitment to diversity, inclusion and access for students, faculty, staff and community members with and without disabilities. Throughout October, the DCC will be cohosting workshops, conversations and activities in partnership with other administrative units, student organizations, and academic programs across campus, as well as with the Syracuse Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center.
“This October marks five years since the labor of love known formerly as the ‘DCC Initiative’ turned into a Disability Cultural Center, in the hiring of its founding, full-time professional director. It remains a privilege and an honor to direct our innovative center as we embark upon our next five years and beyond, celebrating Disability Awareness Month in October and all year long,” says Diane R. Wiener, director of the DCC.
For any and all questions or comments regarding Disability Awareness Month, contact the DCC.
This month’s events include:
Thursday, Oct. 13
Author Laura Mauldin, “Made to Hear” Public Discussion, 2-3:20 p.m.
228B Schine Student Center
Mauldin shares public remarks on cochlear implant (CI) clinics and the CI industry. She pays particular attention to the role of neuroscience and the culture of medical interventions as they impact d/Deaf children, Deaf culture and deafness in general. ASL interpretation provided. Free and open to the public.
This event is sponsored by the Renée Crown University Honors Program.
Saturday, Oct. 15
Disability Dance Workshop and Inclusive Dance Party, 8-11 p.m.
Schine Underground
For SU and SUNY-ESF students. ASL interpretation and light refreshments provided. Please direct any questions to ljsloane@syr.edu.
Hosted by the Disability Student Union (DSU) in partnership with the DCC.
Monday, Oct. 17-Monday, Oct. 31
Bird Library, first floor
Annual Disability Cultures and Disability Studies book display. All of the books are available to be borrowed. Please direct any questions to Mary DeCarlo, subject librarian for education, at mmdecarl@syr.edu.
Special thanks to the Learning Commons in Bird Library.
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Chalking the Quad with the Disability Student Union, 3:45-6:45 p.m.
Meet on Quad sidewalk near Hendricks Chapel
For SU and ESF students, and open to the entire campus community and visitors. Please direct any questions to ljsloane@syr.edu.
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Disability Mentoring Day
The DCC will again be among many campus partners hosting mentees around Syracuse and the U.S. Learn more about Disability Mentoring Day nationally and locally.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Honoring and Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Syracuse VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Ave., auditorium on the ground floor, south wing
Wiener and SU undergraduate Justin Bachman are partnering with the VA to engage in programming to honor and celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Free and open to the public. Questions about event details and accommodations requests can be directed to Daniele Dunham at Daniele.Dunham@va.gov.
The DCC is also planning to host its annual Open House later in October in celebration of Disability Awareness Month and to welcome everyone to the DCC’s new space in 230 Schine Student Center.
The DCC coordinates campuswide social, educational, and cultural activities on disability issues for students, faculty, staff and community members with and without disabilities. To learn more about the DCC and other events throughout the year, visit the DCC website.
