Oct. 6, 2011
Disability Awareness Summit debuts at ISU Oct. 14
by Paula Van Brocklin
Help is available
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and human resource services wants to remind ISU faculty and staff that it has a process (PDF) in place to assist employees who suffer from disabilities or other conditions that impair their ability to perform their work tasks. Problems that fall under this category may be temporary, like a broken leg that requires crutches. Or, the condition could be long-term, such as eye impairments from diabetes. Whatever the situation, HRS can help you and your department address it. More information about how HRS can accommodate employees' disabilities is online.
The 2011 Iowa Regent Institutions Disability Awareness Summit will be held at Iowa State for the first time Friday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Scheman Building. This is the fourth disability summit sponsored by the state Board of Regents.
The event is intended to raise awareness, stimulate discussion and collaboration, and promote positive changes for everyone who works and studies at an Iowa regents institution.
All are welcome to attend this free event, though registration is required by Friday, Oct. 7. Once registered, you are welcome to come and go as your schedule permits. To register, email disabilityresources@iastate.edu.
Mark Leddy, program director for research in disabilities with the National Science Foundation, will present the 9 a.m. keynote address, "Postsecondary Students with Disabilities in STEM: Engagement, Persistence and Graduation." Additional topics throughout the day include universal design (related to both facilities and instruction), emerging technologies, and services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Lunch is available for those who register in advance. A complete schedule of the day's events is available online.
