On Oct. 30, the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services, in collaboration with the Center for Educational Access, will recognize the contributions of campus community members at the third annual Disability Awareness Recognition and Awards Ceremony. This is the culminating event of the campus' October National Disability Awareness Months celebration.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Arkansas Union, Rooms 507-511. Chancellor Charles F. Robinson will open the awards ceremony with a short address at 11:30 a.m. A short video greeting from noted disability civil rights and independent living advocate Lex Frieden will be show in front of the awards portion of the event. Refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested in attending, please contact the OEOC-Accommodations office at: access@uark.edu.

This year the review committee received dozens of nominations. The nomination narratives called out extraordinary work from staff, faculty and students advocating to make the U of A a more accessible and welcoming place for all people who come to campus to work, study and participate in the Razorback experience. This year's standout nominees were awarded for their commitment to accessibility and equity.

These awards highlight the importance of the involvement of the entire campus community in providing accommodations and promoting accessibility. As our campus strives to become a place where accessibility is a shared commitment, the efforts of these recognized individuals have worked to prove that to our campus community.

Additionally this year, the Advocate for Equity in Accessibility Award will be renamed to honor J'onnelle Colbert Diaz, whose long-serving commitment to the U of A highlights the kind of commitment to service in the interest of people with disabilities that that award category is intended to highlight. Colbert Diaz is a U of A alumna, the immediate past director of Accommodations and Accessibility Services and the current director of HCM Solutions. Colbert Diaz was the driving force behind the start of these awards, and she is the embodiment of an advocate who works behind the scenes to do more than just what the Americans with Disabilities Act requires in removing barriers and improving accessibility on our shared campus.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Advocate for Equity in Accessibility

The J'onnelle Colbert Diaz Advocate for Equity in Accessibility Award goes to the following U of A employees:

Andrew Dorman, user experience specialist, IT Services staff

Camilla Shumaker, director of business application services, IT Services staff

The award recognizes individuals who have promoted accessibility and/or affected positive changes regarding accessibility within the campus community to ensure that all individuals enjoy all the benefits of campus life. These advocates work behind the scenes to remove barriers.

Inclusive Education Award

The Inclusive Education Award goes to following faculty member:

Austin Jones, instructor, director of undergraduate education and outreach coordinator, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences' Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

The award recognizes a faculty member or academic leadership who has contributed to the enhancement of an inclusive educational environment or equitable opportunities for students.

Inclusive Employment Award

The Inclusive Employment Award goes to:

John Cornelius, skilled trades supervisor, University Housing

Randy Green, assistant director of operations and maintenance, University Housing

The award recognizes managers or departments' efforts to hire and retain employees with disabilities and to recognize best practices affecting employees with disabilities within the workplace. It also recognizes the efforts of individuals who go above and beyond what is legally required to create an inclusive welcoming environment and to encourage the "stay at work" principle.

Student Advocate Award

The Student Advocate Award goes to:

Alyssa Crutcher, student and editor-in-chief of The Arkansas Traveler

The award recognizes outstanding efforts by an undergraduate or graduate student in representing disability identity or community on campus or by increasing campus access through advocacy or involvement.

If you know these awardees, please consider coming to celebrate them and their achievements at the event!

More about accessibility at the U of A:

Accessibility is the degree to which a product, device, program, service, resource or environment is available to a given user. It is the policy of the U of A to provide equal access and opportunity to qualified persons with disabilities in compliance with Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008. The university prohibits discrimination based on disability in all services, programs and activities; aspects of the application process; and the employment relationship. The university will make good-faith efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants, employees, students, visitors and participants in programs and services.

The U of A provides academic and housing accommodations through the Center for Educational Access. For employees, including student employees (GA/TA/RA) seeking workplace or housing accommodations, the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services is available also.

The university also offers resources for visitors. Visitors are asked to give a 10-business-day notice for accommodations when visiting campus. For accommodations for campus visits, please contact the Office of Admissions.

An interactive map is also available that highlights accessible building entrances and also gives direction to accessible parking spots, accessible entry points and single-use bathrooms across campus.

Accessibility does not just apply to the physical campus. Razorback Transit buses are all wheelchair ramp equipped. Razorback paratransit services are also available and can be utilized by anyone who qualifies. For more information about transit and paratransit services at the U of A, please visit the "Getting Around" tab on the accessibility website.

For more information about how the U of A is continuing to be an accessible campus for all, please visit the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services website.