Disability Awareness Week kicks off today

From: Macomb Daily Journal, IL
Oct. 21, 2002

MACOMB - Movies, discussions and awareness activities are all a part of Disability Awareness Week, Monday through Friday, Oct. 21-25 on the Western Illinois University campus.

The week kicks off Monday, Oct. 21 with a special showing of the movie "Scent of a Woman" at 7 p.m. in the Union Sandburg Theatre. The movie will be shown in visual descriptive format which provides enhanced descriptions of what is happening on screen for individuals with visual disabilities.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22 a brown bag lunch discussion, "Learning Disabilities in the Classroom," will be held from noon to 1 p.m., facilitated by Carol Christy, in the Union Capitol Room.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 the movie, "A Beautiful Mind," will be shown in the Union Sandburg Theatre. The movie will be shown in closed captioned format for individuals with hearing disabilities.

The 17th Annual Disability Awareness Day, sponsored by PRIDE (Promoting the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities Everywhere) and Disability Support Services (DSS), will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

Simulation modules will include visual, learning, hearing, auditory processing, and orthopedic/physical disability experiences. Participants in Disability Awareness Day can complete all five stations in about 45 minutes, or complete only those simulations they have time for, according to Joan Green, DSS director.

"The theme of this year's event is 'Attitude Changes Through Disability Awareness.' The event is held to raise awareness and understanding of how daily living affects students with disabilities, as well as to look at why students with disabilities need specific accommodations to assure equal access to higher education," Green said. "If people understand, then perhaps their understanding will translate into action and they will do more to promote the rights of individuals with disabilities."

PRIDE members will be at the event to answer questions. Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about DSS at Western should contact Green or Gretchen Steil Weiss at (309) 298-2512.

Copyright © 2002 The Macomb Journal.