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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="149628" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/149628">
  <Title>May is Mental Health Awareness Month</Title>
  <Tagline>In Every Story, There is Strength</Tagline>
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    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div><div><img src="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/149628/attachments/57100" alt="Illustration for Mental Health Awareness Month featuring a gold and black ribbon in the center surrounded by diverse outstretched hands. Text reads: ‘May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Get involved and make a difference!" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  <a href="http://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services</a>, which includes Student Disability Services, joins the movement in solidarity and partnership with <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/hr/posts/149717" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Human Resources</a> with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this together, indeed, we are stronger together when we embrace and support mental health.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">#In Every Story There is Strength</a> is this year's motto from NAMI:  <a href="https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">more information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), including promotional material, is linked here.</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">NAMI shares information about identity and cultural aspects</a> that influence individual journeys, including <a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/People-with-Disabilities" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">people living with a disability</a>.  They also link to <a href="https://themighty.com/2020/06/therapists-with-disabilities/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">this article on why having mental health professionals with disabilities is important</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's NAMI student organization's</a> outreach, to  end the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders - <a href="https://www.onourownmd.org/s/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">On Our Own of Maryland</a>'s Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local Anti-Stigma initiative that supports mental health with local outreach to end stigma.  <a href="https://refocuslookagain.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">More information on their campaign is linked here</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><div>In addition to the information above, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined here:</div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><strong><u><em>Student Resources for undergraduate and graduate students</em></u> </strong>include:</div><div><br><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/counseling/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Retriever Integrated Heath has counseling and related services (Link) which includes</a><a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><br></a><div><ul><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed/posts/115499" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">In-person space for private virtual appointments and Mind Spa amenities</a></li><li>Online support via <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/resources/togetherall/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Togetherall, Welltrack</a> and Kognito.</li><li><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/resources/on-campus-resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Mind Spa</a> (on the first floor of the Center for Wellbeing</li><li><a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative (link)</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/health/posts/119224" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Reach out Retrievers for connecting with a peer</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Student Group</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><em><strong>Faculty and staff</strong></em> mental health supports available through Human Resources include:</div></div><div><ul><li>Access to mental health providers and wellness coaches through <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">employee health benefit</a><a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">s</a>.</li><li>EAP provides <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-information/employee-assistance-program/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">24/7 free confidential counseling to employees and their household members via the USM Employee Assistance Program (link)</a></li><li>UMBC's <a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative</a> provides a range of activities that support mental health</li></ul></div><div><div>If a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests via <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link) </a>and work-related accommodations via <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility &amp; Disability Services (link)</a>.  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student employee job-related situations.</div><div><em><strong><br></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>Community</strong></em><br></div><div><br><div>While some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen and help via the following resources:<br></div></div><br><div><ul><li><a href="https://988lifeline.org/chat/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">988 Lifeline for Suicide and Crisis Support</a></li><li><a href="https://211md.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Maryland 211, as in, dial 2-1-1 for help</a><br></li><li><a href="https://afsp.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a> 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741<br></li><li><a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Trevor Project link for LGBTQ Crisis Services</a></li></ul></div></div><div><br></div><div>Have a safe and healthy month!</div></div>
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  <Summary>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services, which includes Student Disability Services, joins the...</Summary>
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  <Tag>ads</Tag>
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  <Tag>bipolar</Tag>
  <Tag>campaign</Tag>
  <Tag>coping</Tag>
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  <Tag>depression</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
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  <Tag>is-spring-distinghuised-lecture</Tag>
  <Tag>mental</Tag>
  <Tag>nami</Tag>
  <Tag>ptsd</Tag>
  <Tag>sds</Tag>
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  <Tag>student</Tag>
  <Tag>suicide</Tag>
  <Tag>trigger</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <PostedAt>Fri, 09 May 2025 15:48:01 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:46:06 -0400</EditAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="148382" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/148382">
  <Title>Celebrating Women with Disabilities Making History</Title>
  <Tagline>Moving Ahead Inclusively for Women's History Month</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div>Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services celebrates Women's History Month, calling to mind all women who have contributed to pivotal moments and events in history and contemporary society, especially through the intersectional identity of disability. We celebrate  beyond <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">International Women's Day</a> with the theme of Moving Forward, and even with disabilities have always been an essential part of all history.  Here are some women who have made history recently:</div><div><ul><br><li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/brief/393179/judy-heumann" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Judy Heumann</a>, Mother of the Disability Rights Movement</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/us/shafiqah-hudson-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ak0.S9k3.wIuI3qX4hmjK&amp;smid=url-share" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Shafiqah Hudson</a>, Black Feminist Who Saw The Alt Right Coming</li><li><a href="https://19thnews.org/2022/12/lois-curtis-advocate-legacy-disability-community/?" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Lois Curtis</a>, the artist behind the Olmstead decision</li><li><a href="https://people.com/human-interest/amanda-gorman-opens-up-speech-impediment-oprah-winfrey-interview/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Amanda Gorman</a>, <a href="https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/_Tn3PHNuuweaZLonmg5Z7l8Bq8a0ifM5/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Poet Laureate</a></li><li><a href="https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/justice-sonia-sotomayor-diabetes#3" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Sonia Sotomayor</a>, Supreme Court Justice</li><li><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much?utm_campaign=tedspread&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=tedcomshare" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Stella Young</a>, Comedian (who takes on how inspiration is a loaded word in the disability community)</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MA7o6FgPRU" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Dr. Sarai Pahla</a> on women and Autism, toward a better understanding</li><li><a href="https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/about/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Alice Wong</a>, creator of the Disability Visibility Project</li><li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/greta-thunberg-year-change-world/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Greta Thunberg</a> Environmental Activist</li></ul><div>Local People Making History in this area:</div><ul><li><a href="https://autistichoya.net/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Lydia X. Z. Brown</a> Autistic Disability Rights Advocate </li><li><a href="https://becomefearless.com/fearless-leaders/erricka-bridgeford/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Erricka Bridgeford,</a> Baltimore Ceasefire Advocate (pictured in the thumbnail)</li></ul></div><div><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/148388" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">On April 4th, The Ride Ahead is being screened via Zoom</a>, <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_k4dRe0oQTRGQZ0Ou1Mncow#/registration" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">(registration link)</a>and the following people are interviewed </div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/brief/393179/judy-heumann" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Judy Heumann</a>, Mother of the Disability Rights Movement (interviewed before she passed in 2023)</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buRLc2eWGPQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Maysoon Zayid</a>, Comedian, Actress and Activist</li><li><a href="https://autistichoya.net/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Lydia X. Z. Brown</a> Autistic Disability Rights Advocate </li><li><a href="https://www.alistroker.com/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ali Stroker</a>, Tony-Award Winning Actress</li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>These two articles showcase some of these women trailblazers, with links for more in-depth information:</div><div><br></div><a href="https://lcelliott2.medium.com/badass-disabled-women-from-history-you-should-know-about-part-one-1509a938fefc" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disabled Women from History You Should Know About</a><div><ul><li>Sarah Bernhardt</li><li>Adelaide Knight</li><li>Raganhild Kata</li><li>Rosa May Billinghurst</li><li>Annette Kellerman</li><li>Dorothea Lange</li></ul></div><div><a href="https://lcelliott2.medium.com/part-two-badass-disabled-women-of-colour-who-made-history-1b06b4264e0b" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disabled Women of Color from History You Should Know About</a></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.disabilityhistorysnapshots.com/post/sojourner-truth-1797-1883" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Sojourner Truth</a></li><li><a href="https://msmagazine.com/2022/02/10/harriet-tubman-disability-democracy/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Harriet Tubman</a> (<a href="https://msmagazine.com/tubman200/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Celebration link</a>)</li><li><a href="https://www.disabilityhistorysnapshots.com/post/eliza-suggs-early-disabledsnark-at-its-finest" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Eliza Suggs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.chronicmom.com/2021/04/disabled-women-in-history-noor-inayat-khan-wwii-spy-and-indian-princess.html/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Noor Inayat Khan</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/fannie-lou-hamers-america-9knshm/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Fannie Lou Hamer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.unified-solutions.org/wilma-mankiller/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wilma Mankiller</a></li></ul></div><div>Take a moment, connect with the linked material, and learn more about these trail-blazers.  </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Disability-related resources at UMBC include:</div><div><ul><li><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services</a></li><li><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</a></li><li><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Retriever Integrated Health</a></li><li><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Report an Accessibility Concern via this link</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><p><br></p></div></div>
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  <Summary>Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services celebrates Women's History Month, calling to mind all women who have contributed to pivotal moments and events in history and...</Summary>
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  <ThumbnailAltText>Erricka Bridgeford, a medium complexion black woman with a bemused smile and a frohawk, wearing a Black Lives -build, create, achieve, inspire - Matter hoodie offering a mask with the same message with her partial right arm</ThumbnailAltText>
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  <PostedAt>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:32:07 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Tue, 29 Apr 2025 20:07:45 -0400</EditAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="147380" important="true" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/147380">
    <Title>Spring 2025 Accessibility and Disability-Centric Events</Title>
    <Tagline>For all - please join us!</Tagline>
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      <![CDATA[
          <div class="html-content"><span>Join us for a variety of events focused on accessibility, inclusion, and building a supportive campus community!</span><div><ul><li><p><strong><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/141201" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">March 25 – Spring Disability Film Screening</a></strong><br>Time: 4 PM<br>Location: MYER 030 (Lecture Hall)<br><span><span>Please join us for a powerful screening of The Ride Ahead: Love, Tattoos, &amp; Other Disabled Things. </span>Samuel Habib is a typical 21-year-old, itching to move out, start a career, and find love. But no one tells you how to be an adult, let alone an adult with a disability. Can a community of disability activists help him follow his dreams?. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMkdjTW5Zvc" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Feel free to watch the trailer here</a>, and free popcorn will be provided for the screening!</span>  .</p></li><li><p><strong>March 26 – Tea Time with Tori (Held Monthly, next one 4/25)<br></strong>Time: 12-2 PM<br>Location: Mathematics/Psychology 222<br>Join us for a relaxed and welcoming space where students, faculty, and staff can connect over tea and light snacks to discuss disability, accessibility, and campus experiences. Curious about how Assistive Technology can enhance learning and the classroom experience? Let’s chat!</p></li><li><p><strong>April 8 – <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/137103" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Inclusive Excellence in Action</a><br><span>Location: Virtual Event (Invitation Link Provided)</span><br></strong>A conversation on fostering inclusivity and accessibility across UMBC.</p></li><li><p><strong><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/141256" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">April 16 - Facilities Accessibility on Campus: ADS &amp; Facilities Management Partnership (Spring Update)</a> </strong>Starts at Noon - RSVP at the link for virtual or in-person attendance in ILSB 116A) </p></li><li><p><strong><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility Walk and Roll Tours – 3/10, 3/27, 4/7, 4/28</a><br></strong>Time: 12-1 PM<br>Start Location: Mathematics/Psychology 222<br>Join us for a guided tour of UMBC’s accessibility features, including the Skywalk and recent upgrades, while discussing ways to advocate for inclusion. Learn how to navigate campus, report accessibility concerns, and connect with key resources supporting physical and mental health.</p></li></ul><div>Earlier this semester:</div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><p><strong>February 5 – AT Open House (Held Monthly)<br></strong>Time: 12-1 PM<br>Location: Mathematics/Psychology 222<br>Explore assistive technology tools and resources available to support students.</p></li><li><p><strong>February 19 – SDS New Student Open House: Explore, Connect, and Learn</strong><br>Time: 12–2 PM<br>Location: Mathematics/Psychology 222<br>An opportunity for new and returning students to learn about SDS services, meet staff, and connect with peers. Visitors are invited to join us at noon for an Accessibility Walk &amp; Roll tour of campus before the Open House. Those interested can meet in Math/Psychology 222.</p></li></ul></div><div>ADS and SDS events are open to all members of the UMBC community. We especially encourage participation and connection of new students registered with SDS and allies and friends of our students and employees with disabilities. Stay connected for more updates, events, and ways to get involved!  </div></div><div><br></div><div><p><em>This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's <a href="https://ecr.umbc.edu/discrimination-policy/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">nondiscrimination policy</a>.</em></p><div><em><span>UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all.  To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please contact us via <strong><a href="mailto:disability@umbc.edu">disability@umbc.edu</a></strong> with the event name in the subject line and we will connect you with the event organizer.</span></em></div><div><em><span><br></span></em></div><div><em><span>A thumbnail image of seven young adult students gathered at a table, with two seated, accompanies this post.</span></em></div></div></div>
      ]]>
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    <Summary>Join us for a variety of events focused on accessibility, inclusion, and building a supportive campus community!    March 25 – Spring Disability Film Screening Time: 4 PM Location: MYER 030...</Summary>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="146879" important="true" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/146879">
    <Title>Welcome to the Spring 2025 Semester, Faculty!</Title>
    <Tagline>Let&#8217;s Make Spring 2025 a Semester of Success!</Tagline>
    <Body>
      <![CDATA[
          <div class="html-content"><p>As we begin this new semester, we want to highlight a few key updates and resources to help you support our students with disabilities. Here's what you need to know:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Updated Spring 2025 Memo</strong>: The new memo for working with SDS and supporting students with disabilities is now available on our <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/resources/information-for-faculty/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">SDS Faculty Resources Webpage</a>. </p></li><li><p><strong>Recording of 1/29 Faculty Session</strong>: If you missed our session "I Got an Accommodation Letter, Now What?", we're uploading the recording to our Faculty Blackboard organization shell, where you'll find additional resources. Access the session recording by self-enrolling in our <a href="https://tinyurl.com/SDSfacultysupport" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Blackboard Shell</a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>Upcoming Events</strong>: We encourage you to participate in the following events throughout the semester:</p><ul><li><strong>Accessibility Walk &amp; Roll Tours</strong> (monthly)</li><li><strong>Assistive Technology Demos </strong>(monthly)</li><li><strong>Inclusive Excellence in Action</strong>: A session on <strong>Disability Awareness and Inclusion</strong> will be held on <strong>April 8th</strong>.</li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Join the Sunflower Initiative</strong>: Be part of supporting students with hidden disabilities. Learn more and get involved <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/sunflower" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">here</a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>Look Ahead</strong>: Stay tuned for our upcoming <strong>Faculty Accessibility Challenge</strong>, which will help raise awareness and highlight best practices in accessibility.</p></li><li><p><strong>Testing Services Reminder</strong>: Our testing hours and location remain the same. </p></li></ul><h6><ul><ul><li><strong>Location:</strong><span> Math/Psychology Building, Room 212 and UC Testing Room</span></li><li><strong>Monday, Thursday, &amp; Friday</strong><span>: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM</span></li><li><strong>Tuesday &amp; Wednesday</strong><span>: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM</span></li></ul></ul></h6><blockquote><h6>Please remind students to schedule their accommodated exams and tests in advance to ensure a smooth process.</h6></blockquote><h6><br></h6><p>Thank you for your continued support and commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students! We look forward to working with you this semester.</p></div>
      ]]>
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    <Summary>As we begin this new semester, we want to highlight a few key updates and resources to help you support our students with disabilities. Here's what you need to know:    Updated Spring 2025 Memo:...</Summary>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="144620" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/144620">
    <Title>Hope after Trauma: By My Side Documentary</Title>
    <Tagline>Nov 11 Admin Lecture Hall at Noon</Tagline>
    <Body>
      <![CDATA[
          <div class="html-content"><div>Join us for the UMBC screening of By My Side - a short documentary that provides an intimate portrait of three veterans navigating their world with PTSD - an outcome faced by approximately 20% of veterans of the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq.  These veterans and their families bravely share their pain, fear and the experience that they have lost time and love that may never return.  All three found hope - in the heart of a loyal, faithful and well-trained service dog.  Through intimate interviews and revealing footage, the film demonstrates how these dogs help mitigate the trauma and scarring experienced by these veterans.</div><div><br></div><div>A brief Q&amp;A and panel discussion will follow the film screening.</div><div><br></div><div>When:  November 11, 2024 Noon-1 p.</div><div>Where: Admin 101 (Lecture Hall)</div><div><br></div><div>Post Save-The-Date <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/135797" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UPDATE: Please register as attending in this event link</a> </div><div><br></div><div>The film is captioned and a range of accessible seating options are available.  For additional inquiries about access or accommodation, email <a href="mailto:slazar@umbc.edu">slazar@umbc.edu</a> with "By My Side" in the subject line.</div><div><br></div><div><span>Organized by </span><span><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility and Disabilities Services</a>, in partnership with <a href="https://veterans.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Affairs' Veteran and Military Affiliated Services</a>.</span></div><div><br></div></div>
      ]]>
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    <Summary>Join us for the UMBC screening of By My Side - a short documentary that provides an intimate portrait of three veterans navigating their world with PTSD - an outcome faced by approximately 20% of...</Summary>
    <Website>https://bymysidedoc.com/</Website>
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    <PostedAt>Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:52:35 -0400</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="142762" important="true" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/142762">
  <Title>Celebrating Disability Pride in July '24 at UMBC and Beyond</Title>
  <Tagline>On Belonging, Ending Stigma and Being Authentically Known</Tagline>
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    <div class="html-content"><a href="https://www.thevaluable500.com/spotlight/disability-pride-month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disability Pride Month</a> is celebrated in July each year - and in 2013, Chicago's Disability Pride Parade explained their mission as:<div><br></div><div>"To change the way people think about and define 'disability,' to break down and end the internalized shame among people with disabilities, and to promote the belief in society that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disability can take pride." <div><br></div><div>The Disability Pride movement is long-standing, and became more evident as a day of celebration in 1990 - the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law.   Boston celebrated its first Disability Pride Day that year, however many are also familiar with the earlier 504 disability civil rights movements of the 1970s which is chronicled in<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crip_Camp" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> the movie Crip Camp</a>, (<a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Crip Camp Netflix link</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFS8SpwioZ4" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Crip Camp YouTube link</a>, which highlights the advocacy efforts of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Heumann" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Judy Heumann</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_LeBrecht" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">James LeBrecht</a>, among others).  <a href="https://newmobility.com/the-capitol-crawl/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">The Capitol Crawl in March of 1990 created momentum for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act</a> later that year. This July marks the 34th anniversary of the ADA, and many cities across the country celebrate disability pride with parades and festivals.  Let's work together to support access and inclusion so more people can say it loud, "I'm disabled and I'm proud!" </div><div><div><br></div><div>Learn more about <a href="https://www.thevaluable500.com/spotlight/disability-pride-month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disability Pride from the Valuable 500</a>, including the <a href="https://www.meriahnichols.com/the-disability-pride-flag/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">design concept of the flag</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>Celebrate the Anniversary of the ADA on July 29th by <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/118571" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">stopping by UMBC's ADS/SDS Open House</a>, or going on the<a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/130290" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">ADA Celebration and Accessibility Walk and Roll at noon.</a></div><div><br></div><div>Learn more about the lived experience of people with disabilities:</div><div><ul><li>Explore access to large events with <a href="https://naricspotlight.wordpress.com/2023/06/21/a-view-from-the-accessible-seats/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">NARIC's A View From the Accessible Seats article</a> - there are tips and resources for hosting as well.</li><li>Accompany <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/how-to-be-blind" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Andrew Leland's journey from sightedness to navigating blindness with How To Be Blind</a>.</li><li>Learn of <a href="https://newmobility.com/the-lowdown-on-lauren-lolo-spencer/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Lolo Spencer's journey from advocate to acto</a>r.</li><li>Engage with Naheen Ahmed's CBC First Person article: <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/living-with-a-dynamic-disability-first-person?" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">My Disability Makes My Body Feel Unpredictable: Art Helps Me Lean Into the Chaos</a> </li><li>Navigating Personal Living Space with<a href="https://www.autostraddle.com/making-accessibility-part-of-my-home/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Heather Hogan on Making Accessibility a Part of My Home</a></li><li>Navigating the existing healthcare system as exemplified with a <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/unitedhealth-healthcare-insurance-denial-ulcerative-colitis?" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">chronically ill college student fighting against United Heathcare's denial of coverage</a>.</li></ul></div><div><br></div></div></div><div>Other ways to celebrate Disability Pride: </div><div><ul><li>Participate in the <a href="https://adata.org/ada-anniversary" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">ADA National Network's 34th Anniversary Awareness Campaigns</a> </li><li><a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/vu47vr5?source_id=d960ae6f-e333-4180-9991-5cfac1289d2f&amp;source_type=em&amp;c=y3CsrSWy38_ZH5v-ER530DTeZJ-QamsFIOF3bj2oYy_REMi1l_sbRg==" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Patapsco Valley State Park/A Park for Everyone (link)</a><span> has a webinar on Adaptive Initiatives to ensure recreation for visitors of all abilities July 17 2-3:30 pm</span></li><li>Take<span> in an </span><a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/disabilitysociology" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">interview of Guinevere Chambers, Disability Sociologist via the Ologies podcast</a><span> whose content is described as "</span><span>Sexuality and disability! Invisible illnesses! Airline frustrations! How many of us are disabled!...[B]ust myths and provide perspective on everything from the history of ableism to sign language to eyeglasses, the criminal justice system, caregiving, how to ask for what you need, handling curious strangers, disclosing disabilities, where ADHD and autism come into play, and how to follow this study path." Transcript available at the link.</span></li><li>The <a href="https://www.nypl.org/blog/2022/07/01/celebrating-disability-pride-month-books-all-ages" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">NYPL has a range of titles for reading a book about disability</a><span>.</span></li><li><span>Take in <a href="https://www.ogrefairy.com/disabled-beauty" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Michaela Otera's 2023 Disabled Beauty Series</a>.</span></li><li>Watch a <a href="https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/slideshow/2507670/disabled-actors-movies-tv/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">movie that includes actors with disabilities</a></li><li>View <span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoyHvfJowZI" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Tiffany Yu's Ted Talk on the disability employment gap</a> and ways companies can make the workplace more inclusive. Tiffany shared three tips that every workplace can  incorporate to welcome people with disabilities:  Stop making assumptions. Rethink accessibility and accommodations. Embrace flexibility. To view the video click: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoyHvfJowZI" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoyHvfJowZI</a><span> </span></li><li><span>Visit the <a href="https://societyofdisabledoracles.com/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Society of Disabled Oracles</a> - a creation of <a href="https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/about/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Alice Wong</a>, <a href="https://aimihamraie.com/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Aimi Hamraie</a> and <a href="https://jenwhitejohnson.com/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Jen White Johnson</a>. If they sound familiar,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgtFK7cQIkY" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Aimi Hamraie has presented here on Critical Access Studies</a> via the Dresher Center, and <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/inclusionimperative/events/97613" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Jen White Johnson had a HTLab on Zines as Tools for Action</a>.</span></li></ul></div><div>Get familiar with local resources and technical assistance - here is a sampling of what is available at UMBC: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility and Disability Services</a> (check out <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disability Pride events here</a>)  Staff attend professional development with the <a href="https://www.ahead.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=9d9bdf32-7c18-482c-ba25-018bf214dcf6&amp;Home=%2fhome" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) - this month their national conference is in Baltimore</a>!</li><li><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services</a></li><li>Report a <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Campus Accessibility Concern via this online form</a> and be an accessibility ally - this is after being a good campus citizen by bringing it to the attention of the responsible department, such as reporting a Facilities Management repair to 410-455-2550.</li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/142152" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Critical Disability Studies Minor</a> and <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/oue/posts/111246" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">American Sign Language</a> courses. </li><li>Become involved with student organizations such as<a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/aslumbc" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Sign of Life</a> (ASL),<a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> UMBC NAMI (Mental Health)</a>,<a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/dapi-international-honor-society/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Delta Alpha Pi</a> (Honor Society for Students with Disabilities), <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/dau" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">DAU</a>, <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/bestbuddies" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Best Buddies</a>, and more</li></ul><div>We look forward to celebrating with you all month long.  We ALSO celebrate Disability Pride every day, and especially in October, when more students are on campus.</div></div></div>
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  <Summary>Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July each year - and in 2013, Chicago's Disability Pride Parade explained their mission as:    "To change the way people think about and define...</Summary>
  <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events</Website>
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  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="141563" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/141563">
  <Title>May is Mental Health Awareness Month</Title>
  <Tagline>Join the Take The Moment Campaign</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div><div>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  <a href="http://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services</a>, in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the movement  with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this together, indeed, we are stronger together for mental health.<br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">#Take a Mental Health Moment </a>is this year's motto from NAMI:  <a href="https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">more information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), including promotional material, is linked here.</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">NAMI shares information about identity and cultural aspects</a> that influence individual journeys, including <a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/People-with-Disabilities" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">people living with a disability</a>.  They also link to <a href="https://themighty.com/2020/06/therapists-with-disabilities/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">this article on why having mental health professionals with disabilities is important</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's NAMI student organization's</a> outreach, to  end the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health or substance use disorders - <a href="https://www.onourownmd.org/s/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">On Our Own of Maryland</a>'s Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local Anti-Stigma initiative that supports mental health with local outreach to end stigma.  <a href="https://refocuslookagain.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">More information on their campaign is linked here</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><div>In addition to the information above, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined here:</div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><strong><u><em>Students</em></u> </strong>(undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/counseling/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Retriever Integrated Heath has counseling and related services (Link) which includes</a><a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><br></a><div><ul><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed/posts/115499" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">In-person space for private virtual appointments and Mind Spa amenities</a></li><li>Online support via <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/resources/togetherall/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Togetherall, Welltrack</a> and Kognito.</li><li><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/resources/on-campus-resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Mind Spa</a></li><li><a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative (link)</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/health/posts/119224" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Reach out Retrievers for connecting with a peer</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Student Group</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><em><strong>Faculty and staff</strong></em> mental health supports available through Human Resources include:</div></div><div><ul><li>Access to mental health providers and wellness coaches through <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">employee health benefit</a><a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">s</a>.</li><li>EAP provides <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-information/employee-assistance-program/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">24/7 free confidential counseling to employees and their household members via the USM Employee Assistance Program (link)</a></li><li>UMBC's <a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative</a> provides a range of activities that support mental health</li></ul></div><div><div>If a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests via <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link) </a>and work-related accommodations via <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility &amp; Disability Services (link)</a>.  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student employee job-related situations.</div><div><em><strong><br></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>Community</strong></em><br></div><div><br><div>While some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen and help via the following resources:<br></div></div><br><div><ul><li><a href="https://988lifeline.org/chat/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">988 Lifeline for Suicide and Crisis Support</a></li><li><a href="https://211md.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Maryland 211, as in, dial 2-1-1 for help</a><br></li><li><a href="https://afsp.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a> 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741<br></li><li><a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Trevor Project link for LGBTQ Crisis Services</a></li></ul></div></div><div><br></div><div>Have a safe and healthy month!</div><div><br><div>A thumbnail photo credit Marcel Straub via  <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/open-sign?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Unsplash</a></div></div></div>
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  <Summary>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services, in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the...</Summary>
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  <ThumbnailAltText>tiles spelling out  MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS</ThumbnailAltText>
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  <PostedAt>Wed, 01 May 2024 08:09:28 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Tue, 29 Apr 2025 20:22:48 -0400</EditAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="139701" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/139701">
  <Title>Celebrating Women with Disabilities Making History</Title>
  <Tagline>Embracing Inclusion for Women's History Month</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div>Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services celebrates Women's History Month, calling to mind all women who have contributed to pivotal moments and events in history and contemporary society. Today is also <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">International Women's Day</a> with the theme of Inspiring Inclusion, and even with disabilities have always been an essential part of history.  Here are some women who have made history recently:</div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much?utm_campaign=tedspread&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=tedcomshare" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Stella Young</a>, Comedian (who takes on how inspiration is a loaded word in the disability community)</li><li><a href="https://people.com/human-interest/amanda-gorman-opens-up-speech-impediment-oprah-winfrey-interview/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Amanda Gorman</a>, <a href="https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/_Tn3PHNuuweaZLonmg5Z7l8Bq8a0ifM5/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Poet Laureate</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/us/shafiqah-hudson-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ak0.S9k3.wIuI3qX4hmjK&amp;smid=url-share" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Shafiqah Hudson</a>, Black Feminist Who Saw The Alt Right Coming</li><li><a href="https://19thnews.org/2022/12/lois-curtis-advocate-legacy-disability-community/?" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Lois Curtis</a>, the artist behind the Olmstead decision</li><li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/brief/393179/judy-heumann" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Judy Heumann</a>, Mother of the Disability Rights Movement</li><li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/greta-thunberg-year-change-world/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Greta Thunberg</a> Environmental Activist</li><li><a href="https://autistichoya.net/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Lydia X. Z. Brown</a> Autistic Disability Rights Advocate</li><li><a href="https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/justice-sonia-sotomayor-diabetes#3" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Sonia Sotomayor</a>, Supreme Court Justice</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MA7o6FgPRU" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Dr. Sarai Pahla</a> on women and Autism, toward a better understanding</li><li><a href="https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/about/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Alice Wong</a>, creator of the Disability Visibility Project</li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>These two articles showcase some of these women trailblazers, with links for more in-depth information:</div><div><br></div><a href="https://lcelliott2.medium.com/badass-disabled-women-from-history-you-should-know-about-part-one-1509a938fefc" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disabled Women from History You Should Know About</a><div><ul><li>Sarah Bernhardt</li><li>Adelaide Knight</li><li>Raganhild Kata</li><li>Rosa May Billinghurst</li><li>Annette Kellerman</li><li>Dorothea Lange</li></ul></div><div><a href="https://lcelliott2.medium.com/part-two-badass-disabled-women-of-colour-who-made-history-1b06b4264e0b" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disabled Women of Color from History You Should Know About</a></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.disabilityhistorysnapshots.com/post/sojourner-truth-1797-1883" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Sojourner Truth</a></li><li><a href="https://msmagazine.com/2022/02/10/harriet-tubman-disability-democracy/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Harriet Tubman</a> (<a href="https://msmagazine.com/tubman200/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Celebration link</a>)</li><li><a href="https://www.disabilityhistorysnapshots.com/post/eliza-suggs-early-disabledsnark-at-its-finest" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Eliza Suggs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.chronicmom.com/2021/04/disabled-women-in-history-noor-inayat-khan-wwii-spy-and-indian-princess.html/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Noor Inayat Khan</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/fannie-lou-hamers-america-9knshm/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Fannie Lou Hamer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.unified-solutions.org/wilma-mankiller/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wilma Mankiller</a></li></ul></div><div>Take a moment, connect with the linked material, and learn more about these trail-blazers.  </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Disability-related resources at UMBC include:</div><div><ul><li><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services</a></li><li><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</a></li><li><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Retriever Integrated Health</a></li><li><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Report an Accessibility Concern via this link</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>Happy Women's History Month!</div><div><br></div><div><p><span>A photo of a woman in a power wheelchair stopped in front of a pedestal accompanies this post. Credit Carlos Navas via unsplash.com.</span></p></div></div>
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  <Summary>Accessibility and Disability Services and Student Disability Services celebrates Women's History Month, calling to mind all women who have contributed to pivotal moments and events in history and...</Summary>
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  <PostedAt>Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:55:52 -0500</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="139434" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/139434">
  <Title>Leap Day is Rare Disease Day</Title>
  <Tagline>Rare is many (300M worldwide) Rare is strong, Rare is proud!</Tagline>
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    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility and Disability Services</a> is showing its stripes  in raising awareness for Rare Disease Day on the rare leap day, February 29.<div><br></div><div><h3><span><a href="https://www.rarediseaseday.org/what-is-rare-disease-day/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">What is Rare Disease Day? </a></span></h3><div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Rare Disease Day is the globally-coordinated movement on rare diseases, working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease.</span></div><div><span><a href="https://youtu.be/zEQ828Lkxac" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><br></a></span></div><div><span><a href="https://youtu.be/zEQ828Lkxac" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">A quick video about Rare Disease Awareness is linked here</a></span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Since its creation in 2008, Rare Disease Day has played a critical part in building an international rare disease community that is multi-disease, global, and diverse– but united in purpose.</span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>Rare Disease Day is observed every year on 28 February (or 29 in leap years)—the rarest day of the year.</span></div></div><div><span><div><br></div><div>Though Rare Disease Day is patient-led, everyone, including individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, clinicians, policy makers, industry representatives and the general public, can participate in raising awareness and taking action today for this vulnerable population who require immediate and urgent attention.</div><div><br></div><div>By Sharing your colors via social media, events, illuminating buildings, monuments and homes, by sharing experiences online and with friends, by calling on policy makers and shining the light on people living with a rare disease, collectively we aim to change and improve lives of the 300 million people worldwide.</div></span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span><br></span></div><h3><br></h3><div><span>Historically, ADS has worked with campus sustainability efforts in recognition in a way that mirrors the <a href="https://www.ngocommitteerarediseases.org/un-resolution-on-persons-living-with-a-rare-disease-and-their-families/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">United Nations Resolution on Persons Living with a Rare Disease and their Families</a></span></div><div><br></div><div>The overarching goal of the UN campaign is to recognize that People Living With Rare Disease (PLWRD) are an overlooked population requiring immediate and urgent attention, and global and national policies that address their needs and contribute to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and their pledge to ‘leave no one behind’. </div><div><br></div><div>The 300 million PLWRD around the world and their families face common challenges in all aspects of their daily lives. As a population with increasing vulnerabilities, they are disproportionally affected by stigma, discrimination and social marginalization, within their social environment and in society at large. The paucity of knowledge and expertise on rare diseases and the lack of awareness of the challenges faced by PLWRD mean that they are psychologically, socially, culturally and economically vulnerable. </div><div><br></div><div>There are a number of synergies between the rare disease community’s needs and goals, and those of the UN 2030 Agenda and its <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Sustainable Development Goals</a> , mainly the following ones: </div><div><ul><li>Challenges affect the whole family and cause overall increased isolation and impoverishment (SDG 1); </li><li>PLWRD lack access to appropriate diagnosis and lifelong care and social support (SDG 3); </li><li>PLWRD face challenges in accessing education at all stages of their life due to inaccessibility of facilities and non-adapted teaching methods (SDG 4); </li><li>Women living with a rare disease face more difficulties in accessing care and, when a member of the family lives with a rare disease, the primary unpaid care role is most often assumed by women (SDG 5); </li><li>PLWRD and their families face challenges in access, retention and return to employment (SDG 8); </li><li>The disproportionate level of vulnerabilities means PLWRD face stigma, discrimination and lack of opportunities for inclusion in society (SDG 10). </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.rarediseasesinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Concept-Note-UNGA-Resolution-on-PLWRD-FIINAL.pdf" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://www.rarediseasesinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Concept-Note-UNGA-Resolution-on-PLWRD-FIINAL.pdf</a></div></div><div><br><div><div><br></div><div>At UMBC the <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Office of Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</a> can be a resource for co-creating a disability-friendly community on campus, including these processes:</div><div><ul><li><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services works with academic accommodations</a></li><li><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Work-related Accommodations for faculty staff and student employees are administered here</a></li><li><a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility Concerns may be reported online via this link</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>A thumbnail of two young zebras peeking above the back of a third zebra, all with different black and white stripe patterns accompanies this post. Credit Hans Veth via unsplash.com</div></div></div></div>
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  </Body>
  <Summary>Accessibility and Disability Services is showing its stripes  in raising awareness for Rare Disease Day on the rare leap day, February 29.     What is Rare Disease Day?       Rare Disease Day is...</Summary>
  <Website>https://www.rarediseaseday.org/</Website>
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  <Tag>chronic</Tag>
  <Tag>day</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
  <Tag>disease</Tag>
  <Tag>illness</Tag>
  <Tag>rare</Tag>
  <Tag>services</Tag>
  <Tag>student</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <Sponsor>Accessibility &amp; Disability Srvces + Office of Sustainability</Sponsor>
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  <PostedAt>Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:20:11 -0500</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="134432" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/134432">
  <Title>Reflections and Hope on the 33rd Anniversary of the ADA</Title>
  <Tagline>Gratitude, Honor and Progress w/Pell Disability Legislation</Tagline>
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    <div class="html-content"><div>Thank you for everyone who celebrated the 33rd Anniversary of the ADA, whether it was on campus with our <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/118447" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility Tour</a>, attending the <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/118571" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">ADS/SDS Open House</a>, or <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/134257" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">engaging with opportunities to create awareness, inclusion and pride-of-identity for people with disabilities</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>At the executive level <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/07/25/a-proclamation-on-anniversary-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-2023/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">President Biden issued an ADA Anniversary  proclamation</a>, and <a href="https://www.access-board.gov/news/2023/07/26/u-s-access-board-holds-town-hall-meeting-at-national-federation-of-the-blind-in-baltimore/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, on behalf of Governor Wes Moore, issued a proclamation earlier in the week proclaiming July 26th to be a day of observance for the ADA with a commitment to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><p>Some good news from the <a href="https://www.ahead.org/home" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Association of Higher Education and Disability/AHEAD</a> (one of the professional associations that UMBC's ADS/SDS Staff belongs to)</p><p><span><br></span></p><p><span>"AHEAD is happy to share that on the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), <a href="https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-joe-morelle-introduces-legislation-make-college-education-more" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY)</a> and<a href="https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2023/7/fitzpatrick-morelle-introduce-legislation-to-make-college-degrees-more-accessible" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) </a><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5739/titles?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=1" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">have <em>reintroduced the Pell Grant for Students with Disabilities Act</em>!</a> (HR 5739 for those wanting to reach out to their Federal Representatives)</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>This reintroduction is due to AHEADs continued efforts to work with Congress to address an issue that has been raised time and time again by our members as a stumbling block for students with disabilities to successfully complete college. Students are in the position of having to decide whether to follow their recommended course load or ignore the recommendation and go with a full-course load in order to qualify for the full Pell Grant amount for which they are eligible.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>The Pell Grant for Students with Disabilities Act, like its predecessor in the last Congress, would allow students with disabilities to take the recommended course load without losing Pell Grant funding by having the U.S. Department of Education consider the recommended course load as equivalent to a full course load (which is 12 credits)." -AHEAD listserv post 7-27-23</span></p><p><span><br></span></p><p>Don't be shy about reaching out to your elected officials.  Closer to home, resources for campus members and visitors with disabilities include:  <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Service</a>s, <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility and Disability Services (Employees and Visitors)</a>, and <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's online form for reporting accessibility concerns</a>.  As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, please know we honor and celebrate people with disabilities every day, and have more events planned, especially for October, Disability Employment Awareness Month.</p><p><br></p><p>A photo of three women conferring over their laptops  while seated accompanies this post. Credit: Christina Wocin via unsplash.com</p></div></div>
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  <Summary>Thank you for everyone who celebrated the 33rd Anniversary of the ADA, whether it was on campus with our Accessibility Tour, attending the ADS/SDS Open House, or engaging with opportunities to...</Summary>
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  <PostedAt>Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:05:04 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Fri, 28 Jul 2023 10:35:56 -0400</EditAt>
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