At Syracuse University, we’re proud to celebrate disability culture and identity as a part of the diversity that makes our community so vibrant. This year’s 3rd annual Disability Pride Week, running April 14-20, puts that spirit front and center.
Disability Pride is an attitude and a movement that challenges the idea of disability as inherently negative or shameful, and instead promotes disability as a natural part of human diversity worth taking pride in. While Disability Pride Month is celebrated internationally in July, the University dedicates a week each April to Disability Pride before the conclusion of the semester.
Disability Pride Week is a cross-campus collaboration, coordinated by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), Disability Cultural Center (DCC), Center for Disability Resources (CDR), InclusiveU, Center on Disability and Inclusion and the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach (OIPO) in the Burton Blatt Institute. Students, staff and faculty members have contributed to its development, and everyone from the campus community is invited to participate in this year’s exciting line up of events.
Get a taste of what’s to come this Disability Pride Week below, and be sure to check out the full calendar of events to learn more!
OrangeAbility
Kicking off Disability Pride Week will be OrangeAbility on Sunday, April 14, from 1-5 p.m. An annual hallmark of the celebratory week, OrangeAbility is an event that provides people with and without disabilities a chance to experience inclusive and adaptive sports. This year, power soccer will be featured at the Barnes Center at The Arch with athletes from the United States Power Soccer Association, and sled hockey will be featured at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion with members of the CNY Flyers and CNY Adaptive Sports. Come and go to one or both activities to try the sports out yourself or cheer on the players!
Disability Pride Space
Throughout the week, be sure to find a time to stop by the Disability Pride Space in the Schine Student Center 2nd Floor Tabling Area. There will be information about campus resources and Disability Pride Week events, and of course, free swag! The Space will be running April 16-18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day.
Disability Pride Week Keynote Speaker: Ali Stroker
This year’s keynote speaker is the incredible Ali Stroker! Ali Stroker made history as the first wheelchair user to appear on Broadway, and in 2019, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Ado Annie in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” You may also recognize her from her appearance on TV shows such as “Glee,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Ozark” and Comedy Central’s “Drunk History.” An actress, author, activist and all-around trailblazer, you won’t want to miss the chance to hear Ali Stroker speak (and sing!), so be sure to reserve your free tickets now. The event will be held Tuesday, April 16, from 7-8 p.m. in the Schine Underground.
ASL as a Career
If you’re interested in learning more about American Sign Language, interpreting and careers that support D/deaf individuals, this session will be perfect for you! ASL interpreter and award-winning educator Cheryl Murphy will be here on Friday, April 19, to give an informational session about ASL as a career. Join her at 113 Euclid from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Silent Disco
Closing out Disability Pride Week with a quiet, but no less exciting, bang will be the Silent Disco! Join the Disability Cultural Center and the Disability Student Union on Saturday, April 20, from 7-10 p.m. in 304 Schine Student Center for a fun, accessible and groovy time. A Silent Disco is a unique party experience where people dance to music broadcast through wireless headphones instead of speakers. This allows people to fully immerse themselves in the music or enjoy the party atmosphere without the overstimulation of loud music—or switch between both ways of enjoying the evening!
Disability Pride Week may wrap up on April 20, but also mark your calendars for Syracuse’s first annual Disability Community Graduation, hosted by the Disability Cultural Center, on May 4, 4-6 p.m. in 304 Schine Student Center. Disabled graduates can sign up now until April 21, and everyone in the campus community is invited to come celebrate the graduates at the ceremony.
If you have any questions about Disability Pride Week or would like to request accommodations for any of the events, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the contacts listed on the calendar event pages.
Written By Harper McKenzie G’25, School of Education