SU Commemorates Disability History and Awareness Month in October
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University commemorates Disability History and Awareness Month with a series of October events ranging from workshops to film screenings.
Events begin Wednesday, October 6, with the workshop “Discrimination Does Not Discriminate!” from 3:30-4:45 p.m. in Guerrieri University Center (GUC) Room 133. Dr. Rebecca Emery, career services director, and Charlie Endicott, associate director, offer students the opportunity to examine discrimination at various levels. Discussion centers on groups and individuals who face discrimination, as well as what reactions are typical. They also speak on how feelings of discrimination may be addressed in the job search process.
Rachel London, director of children and family policy for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, speaks on “Maryland’s Shame: Segregated Places, Segregated Schools and Segregated Lives?” from 3:30-4:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 12, in the Wicomico Room of the GUC. She discusses the segregation of children with disabilities, how Maryland took a step in the right direction by closing its controversial Rosewood Center for people with intellectual disabilities; and what else the state could do to further promote equal rights and opportunities for those with disabilities.
The film Self Advocacy: Freedom, Equality and Justice for All is screened at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 21, followed by a discussion led by Sarah Basehart Sorensen, assistant executive director of The Arc of Maryland. The movie showcases people with disabilities progressing from a life of segregation to community life, continuing the fight for disability rights.
The Emmy Award-winning HBO film Temple Grandin is shown 7 p.m. Thursday, October 28, in Teacher Education and Technology Center Room 153. Starring Claire Danes, the movie is based on the life of Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Living with autism gives her a unique understanding of animal behavior, allowing her to revolutionize the cattle industry. She has had to overcome many social barriers, however, and now works to change how people with autism are educated. Refreshments will be served.
Three poster series are also on display throughout the month. In the Link of Nations of the GUC, “People With Disabilities and the Holocaust” examines the Nazi propaganda campaign geared toward eradicating the disabled population, among others, while “The Evolution of Social Perceptions of People with Disabilities” offers a timeline highlighting notable events that have contributed to existing attitudes regarding Americans with Disabilities.
In the Fireside Lounge of the GUC, “Disability as a Dimension of Diversity” provides information on the medical and social models of perceiving disabilities and contributions to society made by individuals with disabilities.
Sponsored by the offices of Diversity and Student Disability Support Services, and the Disability History and Awareness Month Planning Committee, admission to all Disabled Awareness and History Month events at SU is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-677-6536 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.