October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Every October, the US Department of Labor promotes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year's theme is, "Ensuring Access to Good Jobs for All."

As part of Stony Brook's fifth annual NDEAM, the Disability Employment Resource Group has scheduled a series of programs designed to help all members of the campus community understand their right to and responsibility for an accessible university. The events are co-sponsored by the Office of Equity & Access (OEA), the Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Stony Brook Medicine and Healthier U.

Register for the events online

Event schedule:

Inclusive Event Planning: Making Campus Events Accessible

Thursday, Oct. 3, 11 am

Location: via Zoom
Facilitators: Nicholas Lajoie and Robert Petrik, Student Accessibility Support Center - SASC
This session will provide an overview of accessible event planning. Participants will be provided with the tools and resources needed to ensure events are accessible for students with disabilities. An overview of the Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) will be provided for staff and faculty to learn more about the resources available to students with disabilities on campus.

Healthier U. Mindfulness

Tuesday, Oct. 8 @ 11 am

Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Cathrine Duffy, HealthierU
People of all ages and walks of life have discovered the life-changing benefits of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), developed in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Research shows that individuals who regularly practice mindfulness have decreased anxiety and depression, improved cognitive function, improved immune system function, decreased blood pressure and migraine frequency, reduced systemic inflammation, and improved coping with pain and illness. This session will provide an introduction to the practice.

Accommodating Employees with Diverse Cognitive and Neurological Needs

Thursday, Oct. 10 @ 11 am

Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Melanie Whetzel, JAN Principal Consultant & Cognitive/Neurological Team Lead
Presented by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - Accommodating cognitive and neurological disabilities, such as mental health conditions, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, brain injury and seizure disorders, in the workplace may pose unique considerations that do not exist with other disabilities, as the need for accommodations may not always be apparent. Potential complexities may arise in understanding employee limitations, identifying the root causes, and determining effective accommodations. Employers may encounter scenarios involving medical documentation, applying performance and conduct standards, ensuring safety, preserving confidentiality, and more. Join us for a session that explores complex accommodation scenarios in the workplace and discover effective solutions to help maintain productive employees with diverse needs.

Embracing Diversity and Accessibility for a Stronger Workforce

Tuesday, Oct. 15 @ 11 am

Location: via Zoom
Facilitators: Lynn Alba, Stony Brook Medicine and Elizabeth Haft, Student Accessibility Support Center
This collaborative and engaging workshop will explore the critical role that accessibility plays in inclusion and diversity, and that diversity in turn plays in building a more innovative workforce, driving organizational success and increasing employee satisfaction. Learn practical approaches to enhance accessibility, champion inclusivity, and create a diverse and dynamic workplace by meeting the needs of diverse employees. Highlights include current legislation at the state level that promotes the employment of people with disabilities.

Crafting an Accessible Curriculum

Thursday, Oct. 17 @ 11 am

Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Kelly Dugan - Creativity, Technology, & Innovation College Division of Undergraduate Education
Learn how to create an inclusive learning environment through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, integrating assistive technologies, and designing accessible materials. Key topics included understanding various disabilities, applying best practices for digital and print materials, and adhering to legal and ethical standards.

Understanding Hidden Disabilities in the Workplace

Tuesday, Oct. 22 @ 11 am

Location: via Zoom
Facilitators: Alexis Rodgers, Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Not all disabilities are visible; most, from neurological disorders to mental health issues to non-apparent physical disabilities, are hidden. This session will highlight how awareness of hidden disabilities can help supervisors and coworkers build a more inclusive work environment.

Accommodation Requests: A Primer

Thursday, Oct. 24 @ 11am

Location: via Zoom
Facilitators: Karin Martinsen & Natalie Mertens, Office of Equity & Access (OEA)
The when, why and how of accommodation requests. Participants will learn the legal foundations of accommodations under the ADA, how Stony Brook University handles requests, manages ongoing accommodations and best practices for supervisors.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.