The U-M Council for Disability Concerns’ annual Investing in Ability series begins Oct. 21. This year the focus is on “Invisible Disabilities — Hidden Stories.”
“So many have unseen disabilities that can create challenges in life. These challenges can also lead to opportunities,” says Anna Ercoli Schnitzer, liaison/disabilities librarian, Taubman Health Sciences Library. Schnitzer is the coordinator of the Council for Disability Concerns and has been chair of the Neubacher Award Committee for the past eight years.
“With the Investing in Ability events, we look for ways to highlight the amazing diversity of people who personally experience disabilities and those who provide support and ingenuity to help make daily life accessible, and a little better, for us all,” 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 the presentation of the James T. Neubacher Award and Certificates of Appreciation, which will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 at the Rackham Building’s fourth floor Assembly Hall.
Investing in Ability is conducted 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:
• Oct. 21 — “Lunch and Learn with Disability Advocate Richard Bernstein,” noon-2 p.m., Alumni Center, 200 Fletcher St.; register online at ability.umich.edu/iaw.
• Oct. 22 — A service dog demonstration with Paws with a Cause, noon-2 p.m., Graduate Library, Gallery Room 100.
• Oct. 24 — Composer Paul Skripnik performs music created post epilepsy surgery, noon-1 p.m., University Hospital Lobby; Epilepsy Lecture featuring two of Paul’s UMHS physicians, 2-3:30 p.m., MHCH Auditorium.
• Oct. 28 — Two perspectives on depression — Eric Hipple: “Real Men Do Cry,” and Blake Wagner: “inkblots: Tiny shifts can lead to BIG changes,” noon-2 p.m., School of Social Work, 1080 South University Ave., Educational Conference Center (ECC) room 1840; register online.
• Nov. 10 — Army-Navy Wheelchair Basketball, 3 p.m., Crisler Center. Free. No tickets needed.
More information including a complete list of events, details about presentation, speakers and panels — plus a downloadable event flier — are available at ability.umich.edu/iaw.
