UVM's Deaf &Disability Awareness
Month 2005
Events are open to
everyone.
For more info, go to:
http://www.uvm.edu/~aaeo/aware.html
October 3rd, Noon-2:00, North Lounge,
Billings
Kick-Off and Art Show Opening
Reception
Riva Lehrer's "Circle Stories" is
a series of portraits of people in a variety of fields, including the
arts, academia and political activism. Each has a significant physical
disability, and an interest in exploring body issues in his or her own
work. This project began in 1997 and currently includes ten works. All
ten works will be on display throughout the month.
October 4th, 7:30pm-8:30pm, North Lounge,
Billings
Comedian: Jeff Charlebois
For over fifteen years, Jeff has used his
humor to entertain and inspire people around the country. His message
is simply, whether disabled or abled, we all need to laugh. Jeff is
billed as a "sit-down comic who's always on a
roll!".
October 6th, 3:30pm-5:00pm, Memorial
Lounge, Waterman
FILM: Rolling
with Deborah Lisi-Baker, Vermont Center for Independent
Living
October 10th, Noon-1:00pm, 427A
Waterman
Hidden Side of ADA
"Disability" encompasses a wide
range of conditions, and the reality is that many disabilities are not
readily apparent. In order to meet provisions in the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), it's important to understand hidden
disabilities, as well as basic premises and definitions that apply to
both students and employees of UVM. This session will use case studies
to guide participants to a better understanding of processes and
resources of accommodating people with disabilities. The presenters
bring years of experience in designing coursework and workplace
accommodations, and in promoting inclusive environments.
October 10th, 2:00pm-4:00pm, Grace
Coolidge, 5th Floor, Waterman
The Impact of Epilepsy on the
Family
This program will discuss a wide variety of
issues such as, medical treatment, transportation, insurance and the
social impact of having a seizure disorder. Audrey Butler, Executive
Director, of the Epilepsy Foundation of Vermont will present some of
the latest information on Epilepsy during this presentation. There
will be an opportunity for discussion. If you are interested in
additional information please call 1.800.565.0972
October 11th, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Memorial
Lounge, Waterman
Being Deaf in Vermont
An invitation to learn about the world
of deafness here in Vermont and what impacts there are in relation to
social, language, family, education, accessibility, and employment.
The evening will consists of a panel of several deaf individuals who
will share their experiences and successes, what works and what does
not work around accommodations. This guarantees to be an evening of
learning, humor, and appreciation. If you know of someone living with
a hearing loss then this is an invitation for you- it could change
your views on the world of deafness". There will be a facilitator
this evening who will take on questions from the audience for the
panel members, display booths will be available.
October 12th, 3:30pm-5:00pm, Memorial
Lounge, Waterman
FILM: My Classic Life as an artist: A
portrait of Larry Bissonnette
A Documentary Film (20 Minutes) produced
by Douglas Biklen and Zach Rossetti and written by Larry Bissonnette.
This documentary shows a day in the life of outsider, Vermont artist
Larry Bissonnette. Bissonnette reveals his wit from the very beginning
of the film as he describes how he experiences autism: Sonic
sensitivity, placidity in personal relationships, loose personal
hygiene, language processing problems, primitive, plastic social
skills, kooky behaviors, activities limited by obsessive routines,
gastronomical choices stuck on McDonalds, rote learning habits: this
is a summary of autism's daily impact on my life. Looking back on his
years of living in a closed institution for people labeled mentally
retarded, he assesses this form of "apartheid" as
"better for growing vegetables rather than people." He
describes his entry into art as a way of "keeping busy as
powerless to communicate young child." This is a documentary
filled with Bissonnette's humorous but also poignant assessments of
his life, including this one about labeling: "Fastening labels on
people is like leasing cars with destinations determined beforehand."
The documentary also reveals many examples of the complexities of
expression, as Bissonnette moves back and forth from speech to typing
to painting, and should therefore be of extreme interest to parents,
teachers, and others who are concerned about how to support the
communication of people with speech differences. A discussion will
follow the film.
October 13th, 5:00pm-8:00pm, 427
Waterman
Autism: Defining the Issues, Patty Prelock
and Marie-Christine Potvin
This class is part of an advanced
graduate level seminar offered through the
Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership Education for Health
Professionals Program (VT-ILEHP). The class concentrates on the
early indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and issues
surrounding screening and diagnosis. UVM Professor Patty Prelock,
Communications Sciences, has opened her class doors to the community
in celebration of Awareness Month. Marie-Christine Potvin,
Occupational Therapist and Former VT-ILEHP Fellow will be co-teaching
this class. The class format uses short video, a guest speaker, and
group discussion. Special Note: Pre-registration
and readings are required, please contact
[log in to unmask] if you are interested
in attending this class.
October 17th, 7:00pm- 9:00pm, North Lounge,
Billings
FILM: A View from here: Depression on
College Campuses
The film gives voice to the realities of
depression in a college community. It features students and faculty
who candidly share their experiences, from the pain and confusion of
symptoms to the ways in which they found help. A discussion will
follow the film.
October 18th, 1:00pm-3:00pm, Marsh Lounge,
Billings
American Sign Language
Workshop
with David Krueger, ASL Instructor. Do you
want to increase your comfort level with deaf people? Do you want to
learn some basic signs and some non verbal communications techniques?
You will get that and participate in a discussion covering some
aspects of Deaf culture. Come to this dynamic workshop!
Octoberh 18th, 6:30pm-8:00pm, Memorial
Lounge
FILM: "What do you do when you meet a
blind person?"
Join us for a showing of the short film
produced by the National Federation of the Blind. The film illustrates
two perspectives on blindness: one from a person who is blind, and the
other from a person who sees. A panel discussion will follow exploring
what it is like for blind people to educate others and manage
assumptions and aspects of independence, as they share experiences
with "helping" and "not helping". Perspectives from those who
see will provide insight into the intentions behind the actions of
those who want to "help" but may not fully understand how to
communicate this. The panel will include community members who are
blind or visually impaired and people who have relationships with
them. Facilitated by Heidi Pfau, from the
Community of Vermont Elders.
October 19th, 8:00-Noon, Memoriaul Lounge,
Waterman
Disability Mentoring Day
Disability Mentoring Day is a
large-scale, broad-based effort designed to promote career development
for students and other job seekers with disabilities (mentees) through
hands-on career exploration, job shadowing, and internship or
employment opportunities, and matching of mentee/mentor relationships.
Disability Mentoring Day: Career Development for the 21st Century,
will be commemorated on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 as the official
kick-off for a year-round effort.
October 19th, 6:30pm-8:30pm, John Dewey
Lounge, Old Mill
Depression in the Family
When depression affects one member of
the family, it often effects others as well. Experts on depression in
parents and on depression in children speak about both sides of the
topic. Presented by the Vermont Parent
Information Center.
October 20th, 5:00pm-8:00pm, 427
Waterman
Supporting Families & Providers in
Making Intervention Decisions for Children with Autism, Patty Prelock
and Marie-Christine Potvin
This class, part of an advanced graduate level
seminar offered through the Vermont's Interdisciplinary Leadership
Education for Health Professionals Program (VT-ILEHP), focuses on the
range of suggested interventions for children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD), the difficult challenges families face when making
these decisions, and evaluation strategies. UVM Professor Patty
Prelock, Communication Sciences, has opened her class to the community
in celebration of Awareness Month. Marie-Christine Potvin,
Occupational Therapist and Former VT-ILEHP Fellow will be co-teaching
this class. The class format uses short video, a guest speaker, and
group discussion. Special Note: Pre-registration
and readings are required, please contact
[log in to unmask] if you are interested
in attending this class.
October 25th, 7:00, Location
TBA
Student ACCESS event
October 26th, 1:00-5:00, Sheraton
Conference Center
Assistive Tech Display
see October 27th Brain Injury Conference
for Description
October 27th, 8:30-3:45, Sheraton
Conference Center
Vermont's 17th Annual Traumatic Brain
Injury Conference
"Seasons of Healing" - This
day-long conference (with pre-conference professional tracks in
Alternative Augmentative Communication and Neurobehavioral Aspects) is
designed to provide education and support to survivors, families, and
professionals with a focus on meeting challenges associated with
rebuilding life following TBI. Keynote speaker PJ Long, author,
psychotherapist, and a TBI and breast cancer survivor offers lessons
she learned throughout the seasons of healing and how nature's
timeless wisdom can guide us in recovery. For additional information,
contact Lisa Parro at the Vermont Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, 802.241.2184,
[log in to unmask] or go to the
Conference Homepage.
October 29th, Capital Plaza,
Montpelier
Deaf Expo
The Deaf Expo is an all day event
related to deafness/hearing. There will be speakers from the FCC and
Agency of Human Services. This event will include presentations on
various community resources, finance planning, ADA understanding, and
meeting important community leaders. Workshops on ASL understanding
will be given by a performer. Interpreters will be available all day
and evening. Childcare is also available for a minimal fee. There will
be an evening dinner and performance. The cost will be $20 per person.
Come and visit the exhibitor's booth while you are here." For
further information regarding this event, please contact [log in to unmask] or 879.4787 voice/TTY
or 866.879.6942 TTY Sprint toll free.
Refreshments will be provided at most of
our events.
For additional information, to
request a specific accommodation, or this flyer in an alternate
format, please contact Diane Gaboriault
at or 656.3368.
Deaf and Disability Awareness Month
Sponsors
Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity,
Center on Disability & Community Inclusion, ACCESS, Anatomy &
Neurobiology, Extension, Communications Sciences, Student Life,
Women's Center, LGBTQA Services, Women's & Gender Studies, Human
Resources, UVM Bookstore, Residential Life, Dean of Students
Office.
Deaf &Disability Awareness Month
2005
Planning Committee:
--
Bryan Dague
University of Vermont
Center on Disability & Community Inclusion
Mann Hall, 3rd Floor
208 Colchester Ave.
Burlington, VT 05405-1757
Email:
[log in to unmask]
Phone: (802) 656-1345
Fax: (802) 656-1357
TTY: (802) 656-8499
Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~cdci/