The U-M Council for Disability Concern’s annual Investing in Ability Week begins Oct. 25. This year, the event has a special theme: “HonorABLE: Celebrating All Veterans; Those With and Without Disabilities,” organizers say.

The weeklong event is designed to raise awareness about disability issues, particularly those facing veterans, and to promote recognition of the skills and talents that people with disabilities contribute to society.

Investing in Ability Week sessions include movie screenings, 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. 29 at Rackham Assembly Hall, fourth floor.

Investing in Ability is led by the Council for Disability Concerns, in collaboration with University Human Resources, the U-M Health System (UMHS) and the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living. The university sponsors these activities to promote greater awareness and recognition of the skills and talents that people with disabilities contribute to society, organizers say. All activities are held in accessible locations. All are free of charge and open to all members of the university community and the public.

“This event is an important statement of the university’s commitment to building and sustaining a welcoming and supporting community for all,” says Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for human resources.

Events include:

• “PTSD & TBI: The Invisible Wounds of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom,” 1 p.m. Oct. 25, MCHC Auditorium, near the Mott Triangle of the University Hospital

• “Music Within” (captioned film), 7 p.m. Oct. 26, Michigan Theater

• John W. Quinn, “Someone Like Me, An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy,” 1:30 p.m. Oct. 27, The Gallery, Room 100, Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library

• Second Life and the use of Virtual World Environments to Support Veterans, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Danto Auditorium, UMHS Cardiovascular Center

• Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone, “Taking Care of Our American Heroes: Past, Present and Future,” 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Danto Auditorium, UMHS Cardiovascular Center. (Fausone also will give a similar talk at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Main Branch of the Ann Arbor District Library.)

• Army/Navy Wheelchair Basketball, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Saline High School Gymnasium

“This year our intention is to honor all of our veterans, raise awareness of their challenges and celebrate their contributions,” says Anna Ercoli Schnitzer, liaison/disabilities librarian, Taubman Health Sciences Library. Schnitzer, has been a member of the Council for Disability Concerns for 12 years and chair of the Neubacher Award Committee for the past five years.

“We plan and hold events that entertain as well as enlighten. Our intention in highlighting disability issues is to stress the positive — what individuals can do, rather than what they cannot do. We believe that disability is part of diversity and that supporting accessibility for all makes our campus, our community a much more welcoming and friendly environment.”

For more information go to ability.umich.edu.