October Is National Disability and Employment Awareness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 3, 2006
Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
Sandy Parsons
Disability Support Services
530-898-5959
October Is National Disability and Employment Awareness Month
California State University, Chico is observing National Disability and Employment Awareness month throughout October with a schedule of activities that are free and open to the public. The first event is an information and vendor fair today, Oct. 3, from 11 am to 2 pm in the Free Speech Area on campus.
The disability awareness month is sponsored by CSU, Chico's Americans with Disabilities Act Committee. The committee works throughout the year with other campus divisions, including Facilities Management Services, Disability Support Services, Information Technology and Academic Affairs, to fulfill the mission of the university, which is to "create and maintain an environment where individuals with disabilities have full and equal access to and enjoyment of all aspects of the campus."
Sandy Parsons, the new director of Disability Support Services at CSU, Chico, said that there are 54 million Americans with disabilities. "One in 11 entering first-time students have a disability," she said. "Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, there is still a significant discrepancy in the employment rate for people with disabilities. These are our future engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, teachers, scientists and lawmakers. My goal for this month is to bring awareness of the contributions and talents that people with disabilities have to offer the community."
Schedule of Activities
Tuesday, October 3
Access in Action Information and Vendor Fair 11 am-2 pm, Free Speech Area. Programs, services and products specializing in creating access for all people.
Thursday, October 5
Brown Bag Lunch Discussion 12:30-1:30 pm, Faculty Dining Room
An overview of hearing loss and deafness with Crystal Chalmers, audiologist. Bring your lunch; we'll provide the cookies.
Wednesday, October 11
Bag Lunch Discussion Noon-1 pm, Faculty Dining room
Diabetes education with Pat Haas, Enloe Diabetes Education Program. Co-sponsored by the CSU, Chico Health Center. Bring your lunch; we'll provide the cookies.
Wednesday, October 18
Conversations on Diversity Noon-1 pm, BMU 210
"Stomp Out Stigma: People with mental illness share their stories"
Thursday, October 26
Performance 7:30 pm, Ayres 120
Dawn Grabowski, comedian and playwright. Grabowski's performance, "Shattering Images," provides comedy, entertainment, education and motivation.
The National Disability and Employment Month activities at CSU, Chico are sponsored by the CSU, Chico Americans with Disabilities Act Committee. If you need accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services at 530-898-5959.
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