Diabetes Awareness Month is celebrated in November, where we call attention to a serious health condition that is no laughing matter with its need for monitoring and management, as well as its intersection with disability and mortality.  November includes World Diabetes Day (November 14th) which was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization to recognize growing concerns about escalating health threats posed by diabetes. In 2006, it was recognized by the UN, and is celebrated on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

Diabetes has a wide global reach and fits within the definition of a disability, and sometimes concerns about its flares (especially with Type 1) have graduate and undergraduate students reach out for on-campus resources, such as 

The students with UMBC College Diabetes Network Chapter let us know that their national organization has been renamed to The Diabetes Link, with the tagline: Diabetes does not define you, but does define us, we exist to support and empower you. The students' recommended Diabetes Resources for young adults include:

NDAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with various types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Awareness Month" to address inclusion more broadly.

Americans with disabilities make up almost one-fifth of our population, which brings more celebration to this month, underneath the umbrella of the  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  celebrating its 31st anniversary. This month includes:

and given the beauty and complexity of being human, we respectfully nod to disability-related health conditions that are highlighted at other times.  We see you.  You matter.

Accessibility and Disability Services, remains committed to building on past progress and creating inclusive change as we work in partnership with the entire UMBC community, including Facilities Management, Human Resources and Instructional Technology. Student Disability Services provides support for students with disabilities, as education is a path toward progress.   While huge strides have been made with accessibility and inclusion (which can happen via accommodation), people with disabilities still face discrimination and lack of understanding. and has many events planned - the fight for full inclusion remains (Judy Heumann Ted Talk link). 

Retriever Integrated Health includes The Counseling Center as counseling (of course) as well as events and group meetings

Retriever Integrated Health also has a range of health services that support campus members of all abilities in the new, very-accessible Center for Wellbeing  across from Erickson Field (D7 on the map).

Student Organizations:

Faculty Group:  Disability Studies Working Group

Accessible Tech Wednesdays: October 12, October 19, October 26

Oct 14: Demystifying Disability: Student Recruitment, Hiring and UMBC's Workforce Recruitment Program (students and recent grads)

World Diabetes Day (November 14th) fell on a Sunday - within Diabetes Awareness Month - it was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization to recognize growing concerns about escalating health threats posed by diabetes. In 2006, it was recognized by the UN, and is celebrated on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

Diabetes has a wide global reach and fits within the definition of a disability, and sometimes concerns about its flares have graduate and undergraduate students reach out for on-campus resources, such as 

ADS just heard from students co-creating the UMBC College Diabetes Network Chapter if students are interested in more information email  UMBC@collegediabetesnetwork.org  to get connected. They are sorting out meeting times and will be meeting in the coming weeks.  Another reason to reach out - they have resource sheets for insulin affordability, which is in harmony with the theme "Access to Diabetes Care - If Not Now, When?"

Their recommended Diabetes Resources include:

NDAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with various types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Awareness Month" to address inclusion more broadly.

Americans with disabilities make up almost one-fifth of our population, which brings more celebration to this month, underneath the umbrella of the  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  celebrating its 31st anniversary. This month includes:

and given the beauty and complexity of being human, we respectfully nod to disability-related health conditions that are highlighted at other times.  We see you.  You matter.

Accessibility and Disability Services, remains committed to building on past progress and creating inclusive change as we work in partnership with the entire UMBC community, including Facilities Management, Human Resources and Instructional Technology. Student Disability Services provides support for students with disabilities, as education is a path toward progress.   While huge strides have been made with accessibility and inclusion (which can happen via accommodation), people with disabilities still face discrimination and lack of understanding. and has many events planned - the fight for full inclusion remains (Judy Heumann Ted Talk link). 

Join CSJ by viewing and discussing  Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution and take a moment to review UMBC resources, organizations, groups and events that support awareness and inclusion of people with disabilities.

Accessibility and Disability Services

Retriever Integrated Health includes The Counseling Center as counseling (of course) as well as events and group meetings

Retriever Integrated Health also has a range of health services that support campus members of all abilities in the new, very-accessible Center for Wellbeing  across from Erickson Field (D7 on the map).

Student Organizations:

Faculty Group:  Disability Studies Working Group

Oct 27:  Film : Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (flexible viewing times, online discussion at 5p)

Oct 15-17: Superfest Film Festival

Oct 6 at Noon - Campus Accessibility Project Update and Discussion

Challenge yourself with the following events:

UMBC supports website accessibility within their sites and uses Monsido to review websites for accessibility and  improvement on a departmental and institutional level.  Accessibility is dynamic, shifting with technology and upgrades, so we must remain aware and be pro-active to support first-rate digital experiences for all internet users.

Practice accessibility, share the knowledge, and make a difference!

Post is accompanied by a photo of a keyboard with a refreshable braille reader being used by a person with white hands and a plaid shirt. Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

NDAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with various types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Awareness Month" to address inclusion more broadly.

Americans with disabilities make up almost one-fifth of our population, which brings more celebration to this month, underneath the umbrella of the  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  celebrating its 30th anniversary. This month includes:

and given the beauty and complexity of being human, we respectfully nod to disability-related health conditions that are highlighted at other times.  We see you.  You matter.  Accessibility and Disability Services, remains committed to building on past progress and creating inclusive change as we work in partnership with the entire UMBC community, including Facilities Management, Human Resources and Instructional Technology. While huge strides have been made with accessibility and inclusion (which can happen via accommodation), people with disabilities still face discrimination and lack of understanding. and has many events planned - the fight for full inclusion remains (Judy Heumann Ted Talk link). 

Kick off the month with  Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution and take a moment to review UMBC resources, organizations, groups and events that support awareness and inclusion of people with disabilities.

Accessibility and Disability Services

The Counseling Center has counseling (of course) as well as events and group meetings

University Health Services supports campus members of all abilities.

Student Organizations:

Faculty Group:  Disability Studies Working Group

Oct 2:  Film : Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (flexible viewing times)

Oct 16-18: Superfest Film Festival

Oct 21 at Noon - Campus Accessibility Project Update and Discussion

Oct 28 at Noon, Online -Accessible Course Design and Fixes with Blackboard Ally

We have previously posted about mental health supports, and peer support and mentorship is an additional avenue for mental health in the academic community.

There will also be a student panel sharing their experiences at 4:00p in UC 312, followed by community discussion and refreshments.  It promises to be a powerful and illuminating event, we hope to see you there.  Doors open at 3:40.