The U-M Council for Disability Concerns’ annual Investing in Ability series begins Oct. 22. This year the event features presentations focusing on “The Attitude of Accommodations: The Art and Architecture of Accessibility.”
“There is such a broad range of what is considered a disability. And in our community there is an amazing diversity of people who provide support and ingenuity to help make daily life accessible,” says Anna Ercoli Schnitzer, liaison/disabilities librarian, Taubman Health Sciences Library. Schnitzer has been a coordinator of the Council for Disability Concerns for 14 years and chair of the Neubacher Award Committee for the past seven years.
“We organize events that highlight the amazing efforts that have a profound positive impact for us all. And by supporting those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, our community becomes a richer and more welcoming environment,” she says.
Investing in Ability Week sessions include numerous speakers, an Army-Navy wheelchair basketball game, and several chances to interact with service, assistance and therapy dogs. The week also features presentation of the James T. Neubacher Award and Certificates of Appreciation, which will take place 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Rackham Building, Assembly Hall fourth floor.
Investing in Ability is held in collaboration with University Human Resources and the U-M Health System. All activities are staged in accessible locations. They also are free of charge and open to all members of the university community and the public.
Events include:
• 7th Annual Symposium on Mental Health in the Workplace, “On Purpose: Lessons in Life and Health from the Frog and the Dung Beetle” — Victor J. Strecher, 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 22, Palmer Commons, Great Lakes Room, 4th floor.
• “The Human Animal Bond,” a conversation with Kris Siefert, Edith S. Gomberg Collegiate Professor of Social Work, noon-1 p.m. Oct. 23, Graduate Library, Gallery Room 100; this event includes a live service dog demonstration.
• “Hearing Loss, Aging and Hearing Protection,” Benjamin L. Wightman, clinical audiologist, 7-8 p.m. Oct. 24, Malletts Creek Branch, Ann Arbor District Library, 3090 E. Eisenhower Pkwy. (East of Stone School Road).
• “Asclepius Machine,” Professor Robert Adams, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, 7-9 p.m., Oct. 25, Duderstadt Center Gallery, The Duderstadt Center.
• Army-Navy Wheelchair Basketball, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Crisler Center.
More information about featured events, speakers and panels, and a downloadable event flier are available at ability.umich.edu/iaw.
