U of A to Celebrate Law Granting Access to All

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Clients of LifeStyles will display art such as this painting at the community resource fair and art exhibit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the International Connections Lounge in the Arkansas Union.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas will celebrate the 23^rd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act with a series of events in October that include speakers who will talk about issues ranging from societal perspectives on disability to a student’s view of campus access to diversity in the workplace.

Other events will feature inclusive kayaking, a home revitalization project and a Halloween Roll, Walk, Run at Wilson Park. The university’s Center for Educational Access partnered with Sources for Community Independent Living Services in Fayetteville to organize the events, all but one of which are free and open to the public.

“Employment is a fundamental theme throughout the month,” said Laura James, assistant director of the Center for Educational Access. “Several events focus on employment opportunities for people with disabilities and how to create a strong, inclusive workforce.”

University students interested in volunteering can help with a home access and revitalization project coordinated by Sources, which was established 20 years ago in Northwest Arkansas to provide information and services to people with disabilities and their families.

“We want to take time during this month of events to help others understand that disability awareness is about recognizing a person’s abilities and understanding that perceptions and attitudes can get in the way of that recognition,” said Jim Mather, executive director of Sources.

Sources and other local disability service providers will kick off the events marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month on campus with a community resource fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the International Connections Lounge in the Arkansas Union. Art by clients of LifeStyles Inc. will be on display.

A wheelchair basketball tournament called Rollin’ Rumble will be played Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Rogers Activity Center, 315 Olive St. The team of NWA Wild Wheels plays at 9 a.m. and again at 12:20 p.m. and 5:20 p.m.

Raymond Walter, who graduated from the university in May at the age of 18 with a triple major in mathematics, physics and economics, will open a luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 9, by giving a student’s perspective on campus access. Walter, who uses a wheelchair, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He is now a Distinguished Doctoral Fellow pursuing doctoral degrees in math and physics.

Walter will be followed by keynote speaker Melanie Thornton, leadership development facilitator for UA CURRENTS, which stands for Center for the Utilization of Rehabilitation Resources for Education, Networking, Training and Service. It is administratively based in the College of Education and Health Professions and located in Hot Springs. Thornton will talk about “Disability, Innovation and Design: A Matter of Perspective.”

The luncheon at noon Oct. 9 in the Verizon Ballroom is free but reservations are required and an online form is available to RSVP. Attendance is limited to 100 people.

Geri Jewell, who was the first person with a disability cast on a prime-time series, will be the speaker at a 50^th anniversary celebration of the Elizabeth Richardson Center on Thursday, Oct. 10. Jewell, who played Blair’s cousin Geri on NBC’s “The Facts of Life,” will speak at 7 p.m. at the Fayetteville High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for the general public. They are available by visiting the Elizabeth Richardson Center website or at the door.

A Career Fest sponsored by the Career Development Center with several professional development events for students is planned from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Arkansas Union. It will include a keynote address by Mary Mel French, former chief of protocol for President Bill Clinton. More information is available on the Career Development Center website.

University Recreation will have inclusive kayaking in the HPER Natatorium from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. More information is available on the UREC Inclusive Recreation website.

The Sam M. Walton College of Business is sponsoring “Diversity in the Workplace: A Panel Discussion of Industry Professionals” from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development Auditorium. Sharon Orlopp, global chief diversity officer and senior vice president of Walmart Stores Inc., is the featured presenter.

 A seminar and equipment demonstration by BlazingCanes Inc. for people who are blind or have low vision is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in rooms 513-514 in the Arkansas Union. No pre-registration is required.

Students interested in helping with a home access and revitalization project on Saturday, Oct. 26, which is national Make a Difference Day, can visit the Volunteer Action Center website to sign up.

The month of events wraps up on Tuesday, Oct. 29, with the Halloween Roll, Walk, Run that starts at Wilson Park in Fayetteville. Participants in wheelchairs, on bicycles, pushing strollers and on foot will gather at 5 p.m. to start the three-mile course. Registration is required at the Sources for Community Independent Living Services website, and the first 100 people to register will receive a free T-shirt.

The event will also feature a scavenger hunt, prizes for best costumes and timing by Fleet Feet Sports. People who don’t want to do the three miles can enjoy carnival games and other activities.