Employment One Theme of Disability Awareness Month Observance

Photo Submitted

This piece of art by clients of Life Styles' College of Living Art Program is titled "Sunny Day in the Neighborhood."

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas will kick off National Disability Awareness Month in October with a career fair Wednesday and a resource fair Thursday featuring community service providers and an art exhibit of pieces created by clients of Life Styles Inc. in Fayetteville.

The Center for Educational Access at the U of A and Sources for Community Independent Living Services in Fayetteville, along with other partners in the community, are sponsoring a series of events throughout the month.

A full list of events is available on the CEA website.

“We invite students, faculty, staff, as well as the community, to join us in recognizing the importance of the 24th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act and acknowledging that October is National Disability Awareness Month,” said Laura James, interim director of the Center for Educational Access. “Employment is a fundamental theme throughout the month, and we are offering several events that focus on creating a strong, inclusive workforce.”

Other events will feature having fun through inclusive recreation and sports, she said, and students and others who would like to volunteer can help make a Fayetteville home more accessible for people with disabilities.

All of the events are free and open to the public with the exception of a wheelchair basketball tournament in Rogers. Requests for specific accommodations for on-campus events must be made by contacting the Center for Educational Access at ada@uark.edu or 575-3104.

Schedule of events:

• Career Development Center STEM Career Fair, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, Bud Walton Arena. A record-breaking 140 employers plan to attend this year. Students are also invited to a pre-STEM mixer the night before the fair. Students can network with employers and highlight their skills and abilities. Students must register online.
• Community Resource Fair and Art Exhibit, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, Arkansas Union, International Connections Lounge. Informational booths will provide community resources and information dedicated to inclusion and community participation. Disability service providers and agencies will be on hand to assist people with disabilities, their families and the public. Booths will also offer information about volunteer opportunities. Clients of Life Styles’ College for Living Art Program will display their artwork at the same time as the fair.
• UREC Healthy Cooking Demo, 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, HPER 315. University Recreation will sponsor a cooking demonstration to help participants learn to make healthy substitutions while cooking. Participants can also sample healthy tailgating foods. No pre-registration or fee is required. Contact Jade Dworkin at jade32@uark.edu for more information.
• Wild Wheels Basketball Tourney, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, Rogers Activity Center, Rogers, Arkansas. Northwest Arkansas Wild Wheels, a member of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, and Sources for Community Independent Living Services will sponsor the tournament. Wild Wheels is one of 200 teams across the country. It plays in the Arkansas Valley Conference against five other teams from Arkansas and Oklahoma. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Craig Blanchard at craigblanchard55@gmail.com.
• “Diversity in the Workplace: A Panel Discussion of Industry Professionals” featuring Sharon Orlopp, global chief diversity officer for Walmart, 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development Auditorium. The Sam M. Walton College of Business Career Development Center will sponsor this panel about the globalization of business and how it is changing the face of the American workforce. Presenters will emphasize the importance of effective leadership in managing diversity in the workplace. They will provide various ways in which they recognize and value different perspectives and talents that are vital to an organization’s survival and growth.
• Career Development Center Career Fair of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, Arkansas Union, Verizon Ballroom. Students in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences seeking employment opportunities and any other University of Arkansas students interested in working in agricultural-related fields can find more information on the Career Development Center website.
• UREC Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition Game, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, HPER Gym 2, on the third floor. University Recreation and Sources for Community Independent Living Services will host a team of UREC members versus the Northwest Arkansas Wild Wheels. No ticket is needed. Contact Jade Dworkin at jade32@uark.edu for more information.
• Fifth Annual Roll, Walk, Run, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, Sources for Community Independent Living Services, 1918 Birch St., Fayetteville. Sources invites people of all abilities to roll, walk or run for fun on a 3-mile route on the Scull Creek Trail in Fayetteville, ending at Fossil Cove Brewery, next door to the Sources office. The free event features a scavenger hunt, prizes for best costumes and course timing by Fleet Feet Sports for those who are interested. Wheelchairs, bicycles and strollers are welcome. Water and candy will be provided. Registration is required at the Sources website. The first 100 people to register will receive a free T-shirt.
• Home Access and Revitalization Project, 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Fayetteville. Volunteers will receive the address upon registration with the Volunteer Action Center. The Volunteer Action Center and Sources are sponsoring this event that coincides with Make a Difference Day 2014. Volunteers will work to remove barriers that make it difficult for people with disabilities to leave their homes, including building a wheelchair ramp and assisting with basic home improvements. Volunteers must register on the Volunteer Action Center website.