Investing in Ability Week is Oct. 8–12
By Shiri Bilik
News and Information Services
The University will celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities through educational programs and events during Investing in Ability Week, Oct. 8–12.
“It’s healthy to see campus-wide interest in this week,” says George “Sam” Goodin, student services associate with the Services for Students with Disabilities office. “Interest is coming from all sectors of the community, not just those designed to meet the needs of the disabled.”
Brian Clapham, Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator in Human Resources and Affirmative Action, says, “In 1990, we focused on making buildings barrier free. Now that the physical plant issues have been addressed, we’re looking at ways to remove other barriers—ways to get past seeing disabilities and seeing instead what each person can contribute. We see disability as an aspect of diversity.”
Investing in Ability Week is coordinated by the Office of Equity and Diversity Services at U-M Human Resources and Affirmative Action. Events are free of charge and open to the public. They will all be accessible to persons with disabilities and staffed with sign language interpreters.
Investing In Ability Week is sponsored by the Council for Disability Concerns, the Department of Theatre and Drama, Dialogues on Diversity, the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, the Office of Equity and Diversity Services, the Office of the General Counsel and Services for Students with Disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of Equity and Diversity Services at (734) 763-0235.
