Upcoming Event: Disability Inclusion Panel – July 22

July 12, 2019

On July 22, SMR member Elizabeth McLain will be participating in a panel at a university-wide discussion on the topic of disability inclusion at U-M. The event will take place between 12:00-1:45pm in the Rackham Auditorium. Details below. (Note in particular the live-stream link.)

For more information and to RSVP, please visit the event page at the following link: https://ii.umich.edu/ii/news-events/all-events.detail.html/64110-16153509.html

Please also see here, some tips on what you can do to support the disabled community at the University of Michigan: Practicing Allyhood- What You Can Do to Support the Disabled Community at UM

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Image description: Above the words "Disability Culture at the University Of Michigan," there are 10 dark blue silhouettes of people with diverse bodies, including some people using wheelchairs, crutches, and canes. Large translucent, overlapping speech bubbles in various shades of blues, purples, pinks, yellows, and greens float to the left and above the silhouettes. One purple speech bubble contains the braille symbol for "power." A yellow speech bubble contains the image of a keyboard/Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. A green speech bubble contains the ASL symbol for "love." Text at the top right of the image in maize and blue lettering says, DC@U-M.


Panel Information

Students with disabilities at U-M report some of the highest rates of discrimination and overall negative experiences on campus. At this interactive panel discussion and workshop, you will meet students, faculty, and staff with different kinds of disabilities, both visible and invisible. The panelists will share personal stories, as well as concrete advice on how to make your events, meetings, and classes more inclusive and accessible. Everyone is welcome at this free and public event, which is organized in accordance with universal design principles.

Our panelists include:

  • Ashley Wiseman (she/her): Associate Director, Global Scholars Program (panel moderator)
  • Shanna K. Kattari (she/her): Assistant Professor, School of Social Work and LSA Women's Studies Department
  • Elizabeth McLain (she/her): PhD Candidate, School of Music, Theatre & Dance
  • Seif Saqallah (he/his): U-M Alumnus; Graduate Student, Middle East and North African Studies MA Program and JD Program at the School of Law
  • Solomon Furious Worlds (he/his), Staff Member at the Ross School of Business; Graduate Student, JD Program at the School of Law; Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Disability Rights Student Organization
  • Dr. Feranmi Okanlami (he/his), Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Director for Medical Student Success in the Medical School's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The RSVP form includes an opportunity for you to tell us about your access needs and how we can ensure this event is inclusive to you. Event co-organizers Ashley Wiseman (wisemana@umich.edu) and Ashley Bates (asbates@umich.edu) are eager to help and answer any questions.

The building, event space, and restroom are wheelchair accessible. A lactation room (room #2521) and gender-inclusive restroom (third floor, east wing) are available on site. The nearest reflection room is in the Michigan League (room #347). CART and ASL services will be provided at the event, and presentation materials can be emailed in advance upon request. This event will be video-recorded, as well as live-streamed via this link

The Palmer Parking Structure is the closest public parking structure (two blocks away); it is free for U-M employees with a blue pass and $1.70 per hour for anyone else. It includes parking spots for individuals with disabilities.

This event is co-presented by the International Institute’s Inclusion Culture Liaisons Committee and the Disability Culture at U-M Committee. Co-sponsors include: the Global Scholars Program, the Residential College, the Department of American Culture, the Barger Leadership Institute, the LSA Dean’s Office, the Council for Disability Concerns, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Disability Inclusion Panel--event flyer