U of A's October Disability Awareness Month celebrations includes free webinars, lectures, a resource fair. Nominations sought for Disability Awareness Recognition Awards.

This month, U of A will observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October.  What started in 1945 as a federal week of recognition encouraging employers to hire people with disabilities, has evolved over time to become a larger celebration of the contribution of individuals with disabilities to our workplaces, communities, and our shared culture.

Here at U of A, the month will be observed with a series of events aimed at educating our community and celebrating people in our community who have worked to promote respect, accommodation, and accessibility. This year's theme is "Advancing Access and Equity."

"What is Disability Employment Awareness Month is to me? It is an opportunity to take a month to provide space for U of A to think about, and then act on ways to create a more accessible campus community, and campus workplace," said Alli Johnson, assistant director of accommodation and accessibility services. "This is not just about today, or just this month, but about planting a seed to prioritize making the workplace more universally accessible for all employees, and to inform our students with disabilities, who are part of the future workforce, that there is a place for them in there."

Reflecting this year's theme, throughout the month, the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services within the Department of Equal Opportunity, Compliance and Title IX, in collaboration with the Center for Educational Access, will engage in a variety of activities to educate the campus community on disability-related issues and U of A's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

These efforts include a series of informative webinars and live lecture events on topics related to Disability Awareness. The month of celebration will conclude with a Disability Awareness Awards ceremony on Oct. 25 and a Disability Awareness Month Resource Fair on Oct. 26. Some events require registration.

To nominate some for a Disability Awareness Recognition Award, please submit your nomination here by Oct. 10: Nomination Form - AAS

Schedule of Offerings

Oct. 5, 2-3 p.m.
GettingHired: Disability Etiquette Training - virtual event via Teams - Disability Etiquette Training - University of Arkansas (uark.edu)

Oct. 9, 3 p.m.
The Future of Diversity in the Workforce, keynote speaker Charles Barber, chief diversity officer for the National Science Foundation – in-person event at 3:00pm in the Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom The Future of Diversity in the Workforce - Charles Barber - University of Arkansas (uark.edu)

Oct. 17, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
The Job Accommodation Network: Service and Emotional Support Animals in The Workplace webinar – virtual event via Zoom from – Service and Emotional Support Animals in The Workplace - Free Webinar - University of Arkansas (uark.edu)

Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
University of Arkansas Disability Recognition Awards – in-person event, Arkansas Union room 507-509, Chancellor Charles F. Robinson to open the formal awards ceremony at 11:30 am. University of Arkansas Disability Recognition Awards - University of Arkansas (uark.edu)

Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Disabilities Resource Fair – in-person event at the Arkansas Union International Connections Lounge. Hosted by the Center for Educational Access Disability Awareness Month Community Resource Fair - University of Arkansas (uark.edu)

Register for National Disability Employment Awareness Month events - scroll down to Upcoming Events.