Apply to be a Maryland Assistive Technology (AT) Champion! Seeking Young Adults Between 18-24 The State of Maryland, Department of Disabilities, is seeking young adults between 18-24 to serve as Maryland AT Champions!


The Maryland Assistive Technology (AT) Program, in partnership with TransCen Inc., is recruiting 2  young adults with disabilities between the ages of 18-24 to serve as Maryland Assistive Technology Champions. 

AT Champions will collaborate with the Maryland AT Program to develop social media content related to assistive technology, including videos, blog posts, material development, and AT fabrication. Maryland AT Champions will also work with AT Champions from other states in the mid-Atlantic region.


6-Month Focus on: 

AT Awareness, Fabrication, Activism, Funding, and Outreach


DETAILS 


The Ideal AT Champion


The ideal candidate(s) will be creative, excited to share their passion for assistive technology, and eager to develop leadership skills. Candidates should have some personal experience with assistive technology and tools for people with disabilities.


TO APPLY

  • All applications due by August 31, 2023.



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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 create awareness, inclusion and pride-of-identity for people with disabilities.

At the executive level President Biden issued an ADA Anniversary  proclamation, and 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.

Some good news from the Association of Higher Education and Disability/AHEAD (one of the professional associations that UMBC's ADS/SDS Staff belongs to)

"AHEAD is happy to share that on the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) have reintroduced the Pell Grant for Students with Disabilities Act! (HR 5739 for those wanting to reach out to their Federal Representatives)

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.

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

Don't be shy about reaching out to your elected officials.  Closer to home, resources for campus members and visitors with disabilities include:  Student Disability Services, Accessibility and Disability Services (Employees and Visitors), and UMBC's online form for reporting accessibility concerns.  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.


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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.

We celebrate with you! You matter! UMBC Resources include:

LGBTQ Student Union - for all students (undergrad, grad, part-time, full-time)
LGBTQ+ FSA - Faculty and Staff group
The Pride Center via i3b is centrally located on the second floor of the UC and has upcoming SafeZone training.
Retriever Integrated Health has an LGBTQ Group, and additional mental health supports.
LGBTQIA+ Resource Page via the Office of Equity and Inclusion

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.



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#More Than Enough is this year's motto from NAMI:  more information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), including promotional material, is linked here.

NAMI shares information about identity and cultural aspects that influence individual journeys, including people living with a disability.  They also link to this article on why having mental health professionals with disabilities is important.

One challenging area is ending the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health or substance use disorders - On Our Own of Maryland's Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local Anti-Stigma initiative that support mental health by working to end stigma.  More information on their campaign is linked here.

In addition to the information above, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined here:


Students (undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:

UMBC Retriever Integrated Heath has counseling and related services (Link) which includes

Faculty and staff mental health supports available through Human Resources include:
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 Student Disability Services (link) and work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services (link).  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student worker job-related situations.

Community

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:


Have a safe and healthy month!

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As we come to the end of a month that focuses on celebrating both our Autism community and our Deaf community, we'd like to remind you to continue to engage in opportunities to learn more and engage in discussion. 

The ADS & SDS offices have selected two films this month that we encourage watching and spending time in reflection on in honor of our peers who represent these communities. As a reminder, we are hosting a Noontime, free-hour discussion session in the Math/Psychology Bldg, Room 222 conference room on Friday, 4/28 for anyone interested in joining us in discussion and reflection.

We hope to see you there, RSVPs are appreciated for space planning.

Films:  

1. "In a Different Key"- Autism documentary that centers on the experience of Autism within neurotypical communities: From Patient Zero in rural Mississippi, initial discernment with Johns Hopkins healthcare providers, history of healthcare and structural inequality, as well as hope. This film centers on people on the autism spectrum within their families and community, and is available for free through PBS. For more information and to view it, please visit the website at https://www.pbs.org/show/different-key/

Synopsis: A mother of a young adult with autism tracks down the first person ever diagnosed with autism, now an elderly man living in rural Mississippi, to learn if his life story holds promise for her own autistic son. Her journey exposes a startling record of cruelty and kindness alike, framed by forces like race, money, and privilege – but leads to hope that more communities are learning to have the backs of people on the spectrum. The documentary shows the lived experience of a diverse mix of people with autism within family, community, and transitioning toward independence.

2. "Feeling Through"- Academy Award-nominated film produced by Marlee Matlin, an American actress, and activist who is recognized as being the first Deaf performer to win an Academy Award (Best Actress, 1986). The film "Feeling Through" stars the only award-winning DeafBlind actor and the only DeafBlind member of the Screen Actors Guild.   For more information, please visit the "Feeling Through" website at https://www.feelingthrough.com/. (Please note this film is not available for free online at this time and the film organizers are accepting donations to further their activism work for accessibility and disability representation in Hollywood). 

Both films are captioned, have a downloadable transcript, as well as a version with audio description. 

April is also a powerful awareness month to recognize and honor for...

National Stress Awareness
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness
Oral Cancer Awareness 
Alcohol Awareness
Sexual Assault Awareness 
Sexually Transmitted Infections Awareness
National Minority Health Awareness
National Parkinson's Awareness
Arab American Heritage Month
Child Abuse Prevention 
]]> As we come to the end of a month that focuses on celebrating both our Autism community and our Deaf community, we'd like to remind you to continue to engage in opportunities to learn more and... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/117411 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/133024/guest@my.umbc.edu/7a3ac19235e10db8b9717a3313991b80/api/pixel accessibility actor ads autism blind casting deaf deafblind disability discussion documentary feeling film ibs parkinsons sds sti stress student theatre through Office of Student Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xsmall.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/original.jpg?1544104103 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xxlarge.png?1544104103 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xlarge.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/large.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/medium.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/small.png?1544104103 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xsmall.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xxsmall.png?1544104103 Office of Student Disability Services 3 0 true Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:08:06 -0400 Autism: From Awareness to Acceptance in April Inclusion and Acceptance Happen Every Day

Autism is a Spectrum- from Awareness to Acceptance


April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link), with more events happening across the United States.   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from using awareness to acceptance to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - read more about it from the Autism Society here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here, and a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.

Being on the Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a rainbow of traits, and is explained well here.  Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty here. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on PBS's In a Different Key which covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range of people with autism, their families and their community.

People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month


April is also a time when UMBC highlights awareness about sexual assault - which informs community safety and health at UMBC. ADS and SDS are acutely aware of how this harmful and criminal behavior disproportionately affects people with disabilities.  Hannah Gadsby speaks about her experience within the wide-ranging special, Nanette. Information on how to access help and support is available at any time on the OEI website.

Learn more about Disability, Victimization and becoming a survivor here.  Become involved with awareness, prevention and safety by participating in Green Dot (prevention) Training and being familiar with UMBC Resources.


Have a good April everyone!

*See UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language

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National Deaf History Month 2023


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 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.
]]> National Deaf History Month 2023 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... http://sds.umbc.edu https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/132173/guest@my.umbc.edu/4bdd9cb4e9da6b37ca0852cc15e380fd/api/pixel accessibility asl deaf disability hard hearing hoh language life marlee matlin of resources signtroy Office of Student Disability Services https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xsmall.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/original.jpg?1544104103 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xxlarge.png?1544104103 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xlarge.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/large.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/medium.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/small.png?1544104103 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xsmall.png?1544104103 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/045/7bd1d4fb54807870659b6b4042c75b76/xxsmall.png?1544104103 Office of Student Disability Services 7 0 true Sat, 01 Apr 2023 08:08:22 -0400 Rest in Power Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Activist Celebrating Her Life and Legacy 1947-2023, 3/8 Memorial

Judith "Judy" Heumann - widely regarded as the "mother" of the disability rights movement passed away in DC on March 4, 2023.  A summary of her life and essential work is available on her website here.


She has left and indelible mark on the world for people with disabilities and all who benefit from accessible features.  She has been a lifelong advocate for herself and others, beginning with her own educational advocacy and her successful challenge in becoming a licensed teacher who uses a wheelchair and continuing to the present day. Her experience with Camp Jened and the San Francisco 504 protests has received broad attention with the recent documentary Crip Camp. (NB: there is intersection with Dr. Sami Schalk's recent 504 UMBC talk)

More of Judy Heumann's work in her own words can be found here:

Her influence is truly global, national and local - many of the professional staff within UMBC's Accessibility and Disability Services have seen her in action through Association for Higher Ed and Disability (AHEAD) and similar  professional development events. Her memory is a global blessing.

While she will be dearly missed, as a tribute to her legacy, she would want campus members to co-create a disability-friendly community, and to reach out to UMBC Disability resources for information and support:
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Student Disability Services and Accessibility and 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!


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Back by popular demand, in-person brown bag lunch demos and Q & A with SDS staff

Are you a student looking for assistive technology?

Are you a faculty member who received a letter of accommodation and wants to learn more?

Are you a student curious about assistive technology?

This series is open to all students, staff, and faculty interested in learning more about the intersection of accommodations and technology.  We will be demonstrating low tech, and other assistive technology, demonstration captioning options and document remediation 
 

All sessions will be held from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in Math Psychology 222
 

March 22nd, 12:00 – 1:00   “I received a letter of accommodation…now what?” This session will take a deep dive into accommodations and their relation to functional limitations

April 29th, 12:00 – 1:00   The subject matter for this session will be determined by survey results of what you, the community, would like to learn more about

May 17th, 12:00 – 1:00 This session will focus on preparations for accessible course content. 

Have questions, need details, or have questions about access or accommodation for these events, email the event organizer via canale@umbc.edu
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