World Braille Awareness Day: January 4 A Reading-By-The-Dots Celebration Louis Braille was born on January 4th -  more than one hundred years ago in 1809, and January 4th has been designated as World Braille Day by the United Nations (UN)., and the Braille System is included within their book Writing Peace. January is also Braille Awareness Month. 

As we return from Winter Break, take a moment to notice Braille throughout UMBC's facilities.  Student Disability Services works with graduate and undergraduate students with visual and other disabilities all year - including the winter semester. Accessibility & Disability Services provides supports for faculty, staff and student employees with visual or other disabilities that affect their work.  Reach out to these essential resources to explore options when any health condition (which includes mental health) is challenging academic or work performance.
 
"Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge" Louis Braille

"Braille is knowledge. Knowledge is Power." Louis Braille

"Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me develop a damn good memory." Ray Charles


This post is accompanied by a photo of a bronze bas relief of a head in profile with long hair in a bun above braille text - a close-up from a panel within the FDR memorial in Washington DC.

]]> Louis Braille was born on January 4th -  more than one hundred years ago in 1809, and January 4th has been designated as World Braille Day by the United Nations (UN)., and the Braille System is... https://www.un.org/en/observances/braille-day https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/130010/guest@my.umbc.edu/f7b7dba3c4eba202824309ad4be04c1f/api/pixel accessibility blind braille deafblind impairment louis low sensory vision Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/130/010/c92161cd29281d91d396b7ddc5cdb2d8/xxlarge.jpg?1672702779 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/130/010/c92161cd29281d91d396b7ddc5cdb2d8/xlarge.jpg?1672702779 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/130/010/c92161cd29281d91d396b7ddc5cdb2d8/large.jpg?1672702779 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/130/010/c92161cd29281d91d396b7ddc5cdb2d8/medium.jpg?1672702779 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/130/010/c92161cd29281d91d396b7ddc5cdb2d8/small.jpg?1672702779 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/130/010/c92161cd29281d91d396b7ddc5cdb2d8/xsmall.jpg?1672702779 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/130/010/c92161cd29281d91d396b7ddc5cdb2d8/xxsmall.jpg?1672702779 5 0 false Mon, 02 Jan 2023 18:47:54 -0500 Mon, 02 Jan 2023 18:51:23 -0500 International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 (UN) Disability-inclusive leadership and participation matters

December 3rd is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1 billion people worldwide are in this demographic, the world's largest minority. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world. 

The theme for 2022 is transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.  The theme reflects recent consideration of the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and the invasion Ukraine. More information about the UN Virtual New York Commemoration event, including registration is linked here.

UMBC is recognizing this important day with the screening of the documentary, I Didn't See You There on Monday December 5 at 4p in Admin 101 (link) - please join us for this award-winning film, which will be followed by discussion/Q&A.


Working toward an accessible future is everyone's responsibility. As a campus, we engage together to create a future which insists that people are not needlessly excluded due to health conditions that create substantial limitations in how people engage with the world. Report barriers when you encounter them - at UMBC our accessibility concern form is available 24/7 to report any issues that arise: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/.

UMBC's Accessibility & Disability Services partners with the entire campus community -departments, groups, and individuals - to overcome barriers. Student Disability Services  is a resource for all students with disabilities.

If there is an accessibility concern on campus - report it via this linked form.  With Facilities Management maintenance or repair reporting - the best, first step is to report it to Work Control via 410-455-2550 or Workorder@umbc.edu.  For residential hall repair conditions, non-emergencies can be reported to http://fxit.umbc.edu, and emergencies can be called in to the FXIT line: 410-455-3948.

Looking for more content?  ADA Live Episode 88 discusses IDPD

Need a theme song?  Artist James Ian's song "Spaces" and inclusive, collaborative process with his Spinal Muscular Atrophy community were recently featured on CANVAS (link).  Spaces song link.

Photo still from I Didn't See You There documentary accompanies this post: Closed reflective doors with fill the screen, showing a large red circus tent with a silouhette of a man in a power wheelchair in the foreground.




]]> December 3rd is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities - more than 1... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/111721 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/129203/guest@my.umbc.edu/59b7d09f01e32c78226a0d1d3f9dcbde/api/pixel access accessibility accommodation day disability international nations person service technology umbc united Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/203/27d62d2fe6e72d9180f1df013624b3fa/xxlarge.jpg?1668628405 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/203/27d62d2fe6e72d9180f1df013624b3fa/xlarge.jpg?1668628405 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/203/27d62d2fe6e72d9180f1df013624b3fa/large.jpg?1668628405 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/203/27d62d2fe6e72d9180f1df013624b3fa/medium.jpg?1668628405 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/203/27d62d2fe6e72d9180f1df013624b3fa/small.jpg?1668628405 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/203/27d62d2fe6e72d9180f1df013624b3fa/xsmall.jpg?1668628405 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/203/27d62d2fe6e72d9180f1df013624b3fa/xxsmall.jpg?1668628405 6 0 false Tue, 15 Nov 2022 18:14:33 -0500 Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:00:04 -0500 Honoring Veterans Inclusively Co-Creating Belonging at UMBC for Veterans with Disabilities
On November 11,  we celebrate our veterans on-campus, within the extended UMBC community, and beyond.  We are taking a moment to go over resources that might be valuable to this community:

For Student Veterans with disabilities - Student Disability Services remains an academic resource for disability-based accommodations.  Register online via the SDS link here.

Employee Veterans with disabilities may request work-related accommodations via UMBC's Accessibility and Disability Services - and may begin the process via this brief online form.

Additional resources for supporting the disabled veteran community at home and at work include:

Wounded Warrior and Caregiver Resource Guide -Dept. of Labor, January 2022

Veterans: Resources by Disability-Job Accommodation Network

Veterans and the ADA: A Guide for Employers-EEOC

Employment Resources for Veterans-Dept. of Labor: Office of Disability Employment Policy

Disabled Veterans: Understand how your organization can benefit from sourcing and recruiting veterans with disabilities.
-Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)

A closeup photo of a person in jeans and suede shoes from the knees down, standing next to combat boot, a camouflage day-pack and a US flag accompanies this post. Credit: Benjamin Faust via unsplash.com.
]]> On November 11,  we celebrate our veterans on-campus, within the extended UMBC community, and beyond.  We are taking a moment to go over resources that might be valuable to this community: UMBC... https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/129114/guest@my.umbc.edu/fdf52934272dd08afd5f78d1d9bec10d/api/pixel accessibility accommodation ads benefit caregiver disabled job ocss sds va veterans warrior wounded Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/114/1af24ab552f3d0db1d152c7b10dfb350/xxlarge.jpg?1668192911 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/114/1af24ab552f3d0db1d152c7b10dfb350/xlarge.jpg?1668192911 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/114/1af24ab552f3d0db1d152c7b10dfb350/large.jpg?1668192911 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/114/1af24ab552f3d0db1d152c7b10dfb350/medium.jpg?1668192911 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/114/1af24ab552f3d0db1d152c7b10dfb350/small.jpg?1668192911 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/114/1af24ab552f3d0db1d152c7b10dfb350/xsmall.jpg?1668192911 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/129/114/1af24ab552f3d0db1d152c7b10dfb350/xxsmall.jpg?1668192911 3 0 false Fri, 11 Nov 2022 15:23:28 -0500 38.3 Million Voters -The Power of the Disability Vote Early Voting has Begun, Every Vote Matters

In-person elections happen on  November 8, 2022, but early voting has already begun. The  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers voting, so polling places should be accessible and offer support if needed due to disability. For more information on the ADA and voters with disabilities, please visit the ADA website on voting linked here.  

In this linked article, Social Security outlines how to support Voters with Disabilities Participate in the Democratic Process via the Election Assistance Commission.

You can call 866-Our-VOTE - a non-profit Election Protection group - to speak to people about voting questions and get ideas on assistance. State election websites also have a menu item for "accessible voting". For example, here is the state of Maryland's webpage for Voters with Disabilities.  

Also, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life has Voter Information posted here for Maryland and all other states. UMBC has a ballot collection box on our accessible campus in The Commons (available until 8p on Election Day 11/8) - check your Official Election Mailing, or online for the polling place/option that works best for you. More information from the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, such as checking registration status and requesting a mail-in ballot by November 1, is linked here.

Voting in Maryland - How to register, find your polling location, etc..

Want to know more about candidates in the context of disability - RespectAbility.Org sends out a detailed questionnaire  to candidates - the 2022 RespectAbility.org Maryland Voter Guide is linked here. Other states/responses are also within their website.


Voting in Virginia

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/

The ARC of Northern Virginia had a forum with Congressional candidates to discern where they stand on disability issues in August which can be viewed  at https://thearcofnova.org/events/2022-meet-the-candidates-forums/. 

Additional campus-based resources for people with disabilities and their allies include:

A photo of a knitted vertical VOTE sign on a blue sleeve encircling a tree trunk accompanies this post. Credit: Manny Becerra via unsplash.com
]]> In-person elections happen on  November 8, 2022, but early voting has already begun. The  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers voting, so polling places should be accessible and offer... https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/126868/guest@my.umbc.edu/a2d68e19e7e90c0893f413f9e62c21f6/api/pixel access accessibility ada assistance ballot candidate commission disability election issue maryland virginia voting Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/868/340918286366b0af8836de354ef78047/xxlarge.jpg?1666725325 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/868/340918286366b0af8836de354ef78047/xlarge.jpg?1666725325 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/868/340918286366b0af8836de354ef78047/large.jpg?1666725325 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/868/340918286366b0af8836de354ef78047/medium.jpg?1666725325 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/868/340918286366b0af8836de354ef78047/small.jpg?1666725325 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/868/340918286366b0af8836de354ef78047/xsmall.jpg?1666725325 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/868/340918286366b0af8836de354ef78047/xxsmall.jpg?1666725325 5 0 false Wed, 26 Oct 2022 09:09:49 -0400 Mon, 31 Oct 2022 10:54:04 -0400 Writing About Disability: Tips from the UMBC Style Guide Words Matter: Affirming Identity and Co-creating Belonging
For Disability Awareness Month - take a look at UMBC's Style Guide for tips on how to write effectively about people with disabilities with the section on Inclusive and Affirming Language. With 20-33% of the population either having a disability or having a qualifying health condition  (which includes mental health) during their lifetime, it's a tangible benefit to know the basics.

Certainly with the wide range of people with disabilities, this entry is a beginning, with several examples.  Additional resources beyond the guide include:

If there are further disability-related questions, please reach out to  UMBC Accessibility & Disability Services. 

A cropped photo of a person's hands writing in a notebook with a pen, near a laptop, books, a pair of glasses and a hot beverage accompanies this post.  Credit: Thought Catalog via Unsplash.com.
]]> For Disability Awareness Month - take a look at UMBC's Style Guide for tips on how to write effectively about people with disabilities with the section on Inclusive and Affirming Language. With... https://styleguide.umbc.edu/inclusive-language/ https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/128558/guest@my.umbc.edu/42f9669294f688125267c422db34d5ce/api/pixel accessibility autistic deaf disability diversity equity handicapped identity inclusion journalism resources writing Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/128/558/fd5eb0b16b3e97c0810f2837b64a93c7/xxlarge.jpg?1666113331 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/128/558/fd5eb0b16b3e97c0810f2837b64a93c7/xlarge.jpg?1666113331 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/128/558/fd5eb0b16b3e97c0810f2837b64a93c7/large.jpg?1666113331 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/128/558/fd5eb0b16b3e97c0810f2837b64a93c7/medium.jpg?1666113331 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/128/558/fd5eb0b16b3e97c0810f2837b64a93c7/small.jpg?1666113331 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/128/558/fd5eb0b16b3e97c0810f2837b64a93c7/xsmall.jpg?1666113331 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/128/558/fd5eb0b16b3e97c0810f2837b64a93c7/xxsmall.jpg?1666113331 8 0 false Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:21:19 -0400 Calling All Faculty: Course Material Accessibility Help 8/26 Get ready for the new semester with Instruct'l Tech (repost)
Sign Up for this Sprint by clicking on the Website button to get to Instructional Tech's event page below!

Instructional Technology will host a 90-minute support sprint on Friday, August 26, 2022 (noon-1:30) for faculty to virtually drop-in and receive a customized consult on key topics to finalize course prep including:
  • Checking your course materials for accessibility: Use Ally to check your accessibility meters and review alternative formats. 
  • Recycling & reusing your course content. Quickly stage your upcoming course from semester to semester with the Ultra Course Copy tool.
  • Engaging with students: Schedule, deliver & record virtual classes with Collaborate.
  • Delivering & configuring virtual tests: Create online tests and assignments using Bb tools.
  • Tuning up your Blackboard gradebook: Create columns, drop scores, check calculations, verify weighted totals, etc.
  • Preparing for Ultra: Plan your course roadmap to optimize your transition to the new course interface.
Please note that this is not formal training. If you are interested in more formal training opportunities with our staff, please see our schedule of events posted on Instructional Technology’s myUMBC group.

Students (undergraduate and graduate) who have health conditions that may qualify as a disability can find more information about academic accommodation on the Student Disability Services website:  sds.umbc.edu.

Faculty and other employees seeking disability-related accommodation can find resources for work-related accommodations on the ADS website.

]]> Sign Up for this Sprint by clicking on the Website button to get to Instructional Tech's event page below! Instructional Technology will host a 90-minute support sprint on Friday, August 26,... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/107738 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/126983/guest@my.umbc.edu/1112b039a5c881f7c88a410091e6e096/api/pixel accessibility ally assistive course disability faculty instructional material technology Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/983/c3484e52bb248dcdfe341e91d88be7b1/xxlarge.jpg?1661278981 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/983/c3484e52bb248dcdfe341e91d88be7b1/xlarge.jpg?1661278981 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/983/c3484e52bb248dcdfe341e91d88be7b1/large.jpg?1661278981 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/983/c3484e52bb248dcdfe341e91d88be7b1/medium.jpg?1661278981 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/983/c3484e52bb248dcdfe341e91d88be7b1/small.jpg?1661278981 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/983/c3484e52bb248dcdfe341e91d88be7b1/xsmall.jpg?1661278981 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/983/c3484e52bb248dcdfe341e91d88be7b1/xxsmall.jpg?1661278981 4 0 false Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:28:56 -0400 5 Things Ally Can Do For Bb Course Accessibility (IT Repost) Making Bb Courses Accessible & Disability Friendly 8/16 10a REPOST from Instructional Technology, click here or on the Website button to register for the 8/16/22 10:00a online session.

Learn about Ally, a tool available in Blackboard Original and Ultra courses, that improves the accessibility of your course content. Attend this session to see Ally's remediation capabilities and file conversion tools that generate alternative formats for you and your students. 

This workshop will offer ideas for developing a strategy to improve your course usability and accessibility and how to get started with Blackboard Ally. Available in both Original and Ultra courses, Ally scans content in Blackboard and provides feedback and tools to identify and fix accessibility issues. 

Leverage Ally's powerful alternative format options yourself, and let students know they can download content in multiple formats that give them choices in how they watch, read, or listen. 

Upon completing this online session, participants should be able to:

Following the 45-minute presentation, join us for a closer look at how to use Ally and Q&A.  

To RSVP for this event, please click the Website button below to get to the Instructional Tech page to "Go virtually" and be sure to add the event to your calendar!

This webinar will take place in a Blackboard Collaborate virtual conference room. Enter the webinar up to 15 minutes before the start time. Use the "Join Online Event" link above to join the session.


At least 5 registrations are needed for this session to proceed as scheduled. The session will be recorded if two or more people attend and the link will be distributed to everyone who registered.

]]> REPOST from Instructional Technology, click here or on the Website button to register for the 8/16/22 10:00a online session. Learn about Ally, a tool available in Blackboard Original and Ultra... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/106859 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/126804/guest@my.umbc.edu/de9cb93dd24cdcacee8fffac53a91b4a/api/pixel access accessibility ally blackboard compliance content course disability doit faculty instructional remediation scan student technology tools Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Instructional Technology/Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/804/80d7e3c6558db1f033d0d2f2809ae57d/xxlarge.jpg?1660228881 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/804/80d7e3c6558db1f033d0d2f2809ae57d/xlarge.jpg?1660228881 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/804/80d7e3c6558db1f033d0d2f2809ae57d/large.jpg?1660228881 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/804/80d7e3c6558db1f033d0d2f2809ae57d/medium.jpg?1660228881 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/804/80d7e3c6558db1f033d0d2f2809ae57d/small.jpg?1660228881 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/804/80d7e3c6558db1f033d0d2f2809ae57d/xsmall.jpg?1660228881 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/804/80d7e3c6558db1f033d0d2f2809ae57d/xxsmall.jpg?1660228881 2 0 false Thu, 11 Aug 2022 10:58:55 -0400 FM Repost: Report Facilities Repairs, Outages via ReADY Be an accessibility ally - prompt reporting to FM are a win!

Are you ReADY?

Facilities Management and Residential Life are excited to announce the launch of our new customer request portal ReADY for faculty, staff, and students to report maintenance issues and to request services, effective Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

ReADY is a user-friendly application which runs on all smart phones, tablets, and computers.

ReADY allows all campus users to request services, using an easy-to-follow system of tiles and dropdown selections. Based upon your affiliation as a faculty/staff, commuter student, or residential student, you will see a customized set of tiles to report issues and request services for buildings, grounds, roadways, and other infrastructure.


Access ReADY via this link using your UMBC email and password:

https://umbc.assetworks.cloud/ready

Customers will receive email notifications and be able to monitor status of requests by clicking on Process or Notifications in ReADY. 

For current AiM Users, ReADY replaces the AiM work order request process. The AiM interface for requests will be disabled at 5 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

A ReADY user guide and additional information is available on Facilities Management’s website:

https://fm.umbc.edu/work-request/

Accessibility and Disability Services works in strong partnership with Facilities Management and will be updating their Work Control information - though the on-the-go process for calling in a condition remains 410-455-2550 from any phone.  Campus faculty and staff are encouraged to bookmark the site to assist with prompt repair resolution.  

As always with Accessibility & Disability Services - please report accessibility concerns at any time via our online form linked here.


A photo of a toolbelt with a hammer and wrench accompanies this post.

]]> Are you ReADY? Facilities Management and Residential Life are excited to announce the launch of our new customer request portal ReADY for faculty, staff, and students to report maintenance issues... https://fm.umbc.edu/work-request/ https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/126005/guest@my.umbc.edu/b679cba133c5f07be6d1fe3254fe783f/api/pixel accessibility aim ally condition control facilities management ready repair report work Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/005/b0d3984020b8ae7f9605cbaaceb3dc49/xxlarge.jpg?1655999222 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/005/b0d3984020b8ae7f9605cbaaceb3dc49/xlarge.jpg?1655999222 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/005/b0d3984020b8ae7f9605cbaaceb3dc49/large.jpg?1655999222 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/005/b0d3984020b8ae7f9605cbaaceb3dc49/medium.jpg?1655999222 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/005/b0d3984020b8ae7f9605cbaaceb3dc49/small.jpg?1655999222 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/005/b0d3984020b8ae7f9605cbaaceb3dc49/xsmall.jpg?1655999222 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/126/005/b0d3984020b8ae7f9605cbaaceb3dc49/xxsmall.jpg?1655999222 1 0 false Thu, 23 Jun 2022 12:00:51 -0400 Thu, 23 Jun 2022 12:01:27 -0400 Celebrating National LGBTQ+ Pride with Disability Awareness ~5 million disabled people under the LGBTQ+ umbrella
June marks National LGBTQ+ Pride Month and offers the nation the opportunity to reflect on the incredible contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Our nation is at its best when it welcomes, represents and includes people of all backgrounds. This includes people with disabilities and the intersections shared with the LGBTQ+ community. According to a study published in 2012, fully 36 percent of women in the LGBTQ+ community and 30 percent of men in the community also self-identify as people with disabilities. Learn more about the intersection via RespectAbility here, especially with Leah Ilana's essay on the need for safe refuge.  More  Disabled LBGTQ+ Profiles, in their own voices, are profiled here.

UMBC Resources include:

LGBTQ Student Union - for all students (undergrad, grad, part-time, full-time) Join them for the DC Pride Parade on June 11
LGBTQ+ FSA - Faculty and Staff group
The Pride Center via i3b 
Retriever Integrated Health has an LGBTQ Group, and additional mental health supports.
LGBTQIA+ Resource Page via the Office of Equity and Inclusion

We celebrate with you! You matter!  For question about disability or accessibility at UMBC, undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities connect with Student Disability Services online (link) or via disability@umbc.edu.

Accessibility & Disability Services (link) administers employee (faculty, staff, graduate assistant and student worker) accommodations.  

UMBC's most recent Accessible Route map is linked here. 

Accessibility Concerns may be reported via this online form.
]]> June marks National LGBTQ+ Pride Month and offers the nation the opportunity to reflect on the incredible contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Our nation is at its best when it welcomes,... https://oei.umbc.edu/lgbtq-resources/ https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/125767/guest@my.umbc.edu/a86c90b9f5c58ae4f57683a0fda8bfc4/api/pixel accessibility asexual bisexual disability diversity diversityandinclusion fluid gay gender lesbian pride queer spectrum trans transgender Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/125/767/302a0325f00c64c200422229911cc3b7/xxlarge.jpg?1654532913 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/125/767/302a0325f00c64c200422229911cc3b7/xlarge.jpg?1654532913 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/125/767/302a0325f00c64c200422229911cc3b7/large.jpg?1654532913 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/125/767/302a0325f00c64c200422229911cc3b7/medium.jpg?1654532913 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/125/767/302a0325f00c64c200422229911cc3b7/small.jpg?1654532913 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/125/767/302a0325f00c64c200422229911cc3b7/xsmall.jpg?1654532913 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/125/767/302a0325f00c64c200422229911cc3b7/xxsmall.jpg?1654532913 5 0 false Thu, 09 Jun 2022 08:25:00 -0400 Celebrating Women with Disabilities Making History Embracing Inclusion for Women's History Month
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. Women with disabilities have always been an essential part of history.  These two articles showcase some of these women trailblazers, with links for more in-depth information:

Disabled Women from History You Should Know About
  • Sarah Bernhardt
  • Adelaide Knight
  • Raganhild Kata
  • Rosa May Billinghurst
  • Annette Kellerman
  • Dorothea Lange
Disabled Women of Color from History You Should Know About

Some contemporary women with disabilities who are creating more change include:
Take a moment, connect with the linked material, and learn more about these trail-blazers.  


Disability-related resources at UMBC include:

Happy Women's History Month!

A photo of a woman in a power wheelchair stopped in front of a pedestal accompanies this post. Credit Carlos Navas via unsplash.com.

]]> 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... https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/117306/guest@my.umbc.edu/63ad848d025150e8c5b01275f566f156/api/pixel accessibility accommodation disability graduate student Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/original.jpg?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xlarge.png?1565792941 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/large.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/medium.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/small.png?1565792941 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xsmall.png?1565792941 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/480/1109171419a1b66ae0d9168429adfb61/xxsmall.png?1565792941 Office of Accessibility & Disability Services https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/117/306/4a95b80ed13aa84a89426c582f65b6b1/xxlarge.jpg?1646095806 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/117/306/4a95b80ed13aa84a89426c582f65b6b1/xlarge.jpg?1646095806 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/117/306/4a95b80ed13aa84a89426c582f65b6b1/large.jpg?1646095806 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/117/306/4a95b80ed13aa84a89426c582f65b6b1/medium.jpg?1646095806 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/117/306/4a95b80ed13aa84a89426c582f65b6b1/small.jpg?1646095806 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/117/306/4a95b80ed13aa84a89426c582f65b6b1/xsmall.jpg?1646095806 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/117/306/4a95b80ed13aa84a89426c582f65b6b1/xxsmall.jpg?1646095806 2 0 false Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:48:42 -0500 Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:25:13 -0500