Description- On April 7th and 8th, SMAC held its first annual disability awareness fundraiser, 'Disabled For a Day?!'. At the fundraiser, several stations were set up with equipment that would stimulate a glimpse at what it would be like to have a certain disability. For example, we had one station with leg weights, crutches and wheelchairs that participants could use to simulate physical disabilities. We also had a station set up with ear plugs and an audio tape meant to simulate hearing loss. Another station had different sets of eyewear that, when worn, simulated different types of blindness.There was also an ongoing video that showed different people's experiences living with a disability. Finally, students were asked to fill out evaluations. Many students expressed what an eye-opening experience this was. Also, there were disability awareness quizzes available to test students' knowledge on disability. Over those two days, SMAC raised approx. 180 dollars that went to Disability Services to help improve accessibility on campus. This event also won a Rammie for "Best Awareness Event" at the Spring 2009 URI Rammie Awards for clubs and organizations.
The University of Rhode Island recently gave SMAC a mini-grant to host our own
event during Diversity Week, which takes place at the end of September. We are going to
expand on our 'Disabled for a Day?!' fundraiser, and iclude even more stations,
with more in-depth simulations, as well as discussion sessions and our newly designed
SMAC T-shirts! The event will only allow for 30-50 people to participate, so it is first-come
first-serve.
Please save the information, and partake in an amazing, enriching experience!
Here are the details:
Workshop Title: "Pudding" the ABILITY Back into Disability: Interactive Simulation & Reflection about Disabilities
Program Day and Date: Tuesday, 9/29/2009
Program Start Time: 5:15pm
Program End Time: 6:45pm
Program Room/Location: MCC (Multi-cultural Center), Hardge Forum (Rm. 101)