October was Disability Identity and Awareness Month, and SDS was bustling with exciting events! One of the highlights was welcoming our special guest, Chip, who joined us for one of our monthly Accessibility Walk & Roll Tours.

We're thrilled to share this video showcasing Chip as she explores and demonstrates some of the accessible routes around campus. If you missed this one, don't worry! There are more opportunities to join us. Our next tours will take place on

November 10 and November 19 at 12 PM.

Click on the image below to watch it!

What are the features? We have many, including a Skywalk and several upgrades (lecture halls and elevators) and more on the way.

What are the bugs?  Learn more about how work with situations, whether it's contacting Work Control for a repair (410-455-2550), reporting an accessibility concern, or working with campus partners, such as Facilities Management  and DoIT to support inclusion.  Accessibility is everyone's responsibility.

We will gather in the ADS Conference Room - learn the skywalk and tunnel connections within the Academic Core, review Adaptive Computing within the Library, and visit the reception area of Retriever Integrated Health - which supports both physical and mental health.  The tour is limited to a small group, and please know that mask use is VERY WELCOME.

Can't make the day or time? More tours are planned.  Have a (small) group? Email us to set up a day and time that works for the occasion.  

Come learn, explore, and experience how accessibility shapes our campus community. See you then!

Join us for an exclusive screening of Quad Life — the powerful story of a young Black father whose world is turned upside down after a life-changing accident. Follow his journey of resilience and reinvention as he pursues his passion as an artist and quadriplegic sound designer, redefining what "normal" means along the way.

Popcorn will be provided. For a special surprise, the main actor will be joining us after the screening for a live Q&A session.

Go to this link and click "Going In-Person" to reserve your spot.

Please note: This event is not sponsored, and Quad Life is not currently available on Netflix. All graphics and introductory materials are created solely to enhance the promotional experience and generate excitement for this screening.

National Deaf History Month is now celebrated from April 1-April 30th  to celebrate all aspects of Deaf Culture, and still honors its academic beginning in 1996 when two Deaf employees at Martin Luther King Library in DC began teaching their colleagues American Sign Language.  (UMBC has American Sign Language courses throughout the year, and Sign of  Life is the student organization for people who are learning/know ASL) April 8, 1864 was when Gallaudet University-the world's first institution of higher education for the Deaf and hard of hearing,  April 15th, 1817 is when the American School for the Deaf - the first public school of its kind - opened. 

Recent history includes the 2021 movie CODA winning Best Picture and Deaf actor Troy Kotsur, winning Best Actor at the Oscars, among other Oscars that night and SAG awards for best cast. Troy Kotsur was a presenter at the 2023 Oscars.  Marlee Matlin, who made history when she won her first Oscar in 1987, played a pivotal role in advocating for CODA's predominantly Deaf cast.  Perhaps some of UMBC's students and alumni will be influenced by this history-making, if-you-can-see-it-you-can-be-it moment? 

While UMBC has a solid cadre and network of ASL interpreters, there is an ASL interpreter shortage (more information linked here), which underscores the need for event planners to know what accommodations their attendees may need.  This can be as simple as including:  "If you have access needs, please email (event contact email).  UMBC event planners would then immediately fill out the form in the link below based on planned ASL interpreter use. 

UMBC Students, faculty and staff can learn more about UMBC's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services here.  If you would like to explore American Sign Language at your convenience, ASLU via Lifeprint is a robust resource.

P.S.  April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month - The Women's Center is hosting a number of events to raise awareness, and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.  For intersectionality, we're including an article on Navigating Sex and Consent as a Hard of Hearing Person.