Story by Nicole Smith
Colorado State University is proud to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October.
The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.”
To celebrate, the Office of Equal Opportunity has partnered with the Assistive Technology Resource Center and the Department of Occupational Therapy to provide programming for the campus community throughout the month. Below is a list of confirmed events, and an additional event is anticipated. This list of events will be updated if another event is added. Please mark your calendars to attend these informative programs.
Accommodations for Employees with Disabilities
11 a.m. – noon, Monday, Oct. 23, in the Lory Student Center, room 312
1 – 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30, in the Lory Student Center, room 376-378
This presentation provides an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and provides an overview of the accommodation process at CSU, including definitions and terms. This event is presented by the Office of Equal Opportunity, is free, and is open to all students, staff and faculty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act: Information for Supervisors
1 – 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 23, in the Lory Student Center, room 312
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the Lory Student Center, room 376-378
This presentation provides an overview of the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act, protections extended by the Acts, a supervisor’s responsibilities with regard to the Acts, guidance on how to interact with an employee with a disability, and information in the reasonable accommodation process as well as new state legislation regarding requests for accommodations by pregnant employees. Though the target audience is any supervisor at CSU, this free presentation is open to all students, staff and faculty. This event is presented by the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Disability Discourse: The Disclosure Conundrum and Other Considerations of Disability and Employment
1 – 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the Lory Student Center, room 372-374
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 to remove barriers to employment encountered by individuals with disabilities. Though the ADA opened doors that previously were closed, 27 years later, individuals with disabilities still encounter challenges at, and in preparation of joining, the workplace. Questions arise such as:
• “What are my legal rights?”
• “Do I disclose my disability, and, if so, when?”
• “What can I be asked in an interview about my disability?”
• “How do I request a reasonable accommodation?”
• “What do I do if I disclose my disability and am treated differently or fired?”
• “Can I be fired if I am an individual with a disability?”
Supervisors, co-workers, advisors and more may face these questions and wonder how best to respond to ensure individuals with disabilities are armed with resources, knowledge and tools to navigate the employment process. Topics include voluntary disclosure, the interview process, disabilities in the workplace and insights on how to respond to some disability related questions. This free presentation is open to all students, staff, faculty and the campus community.
Hands-On Assistive Technology Exhibit
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, in the Morgan Library Lobby
Come learn about the Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) and experience assistive technology that can benefit you or others with whom you work. ATRC staff and Occupational Therapy students will be available for demonstrations and support you as you try out items that help you stay organized, keep up with meeting notes, see your computer screen better and support your reading and writing tasks, including tools that are already built in to your computer. This exhibit is presented by the Assistive Technology Resource Center and the Department of Occupational Therapy. It is free, and open to all students, staff, and faculty.
Building on Strengths & Reducing Barriers as We Age at Work: Using our computers and smartphones as tools
11 a.m. – noon, Monday, Oct. 30, in the Lory Student Center Room 376-378
Over time we may face barriers in our workplace environment. However, it is important to build upon each person’s strengths and remove barriers when possible. Our environments and the tools we use may need to be modified in order to support full engagement. Tools built into our computers may help. Is it difficult to see your screen or uncomfortable to look at it all day? Has typing become slower or been causing you discomfort? Trouble keeping meeting notes organized? Come learn how our computers, phones, or other devices can help with these tasks. This event is free and open to all students, staff, and faculty.
