Niagara University Announces Launch of Institute on Disability Awareness

For the past 15 years, Niagara University's Disability Awareness Training program has provided first responders, businesses, and government agencies with customized programs that sensitize and educate participants on all aspects of disabilities and the challenges they may encounter as they interact with and respond to incidents, situations, and accidents that involve individuals with disabilities.

On July 17, 2024, the university reinforced its commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding for individuals with disabilities by establishing the Institute on Disability Awareness, which will formalize existing programs, expand training options, and make them accessible to a broader audience.

"Niagara University has been a leader in enhancing both awareness of, and service to, people with disabilities of all ages," said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. "The establishment of the Institute on Disability Awareness will support these efforts in bold new ways and position the university to be the preeminent resource for new approaches, ways of thinking, strategies, and solutions that intentionally foster inclusion, equity, and quality of life for people with disabilities."

In elevating this commitment, the Niagara University Institute on Disability Awareness (NUIDA) will address the critical need for awareness and training surrounding disability issues. At the center of the institute is an online training product that can easily be used by individuals, companies, organizations and government agencies. The institute also provides live training, resources, programs, and solutions for individuals and organizations. The NUIDA is a holistic training and education center that fulfills a societal need of improving inclusion, equity, and quality of life for people with disabilities, their families, and their communities.

Leading this groundbreaking initiative are two recognized leaders and advocates in the field of disability awareness and disability rights.

David Whalen developed the Disability Awareness Training program, which is considered the preeminent resource for the training and support necessary to effect actionable change, and has been at the forefront of advocacy programs His expertise in addressing the needs of first responders has made an impact throughout the region and across the country.

"There is a great need for disability awareness training," said Whalen. "When we think disability, we often think of someone who uses a wheelchair, or someone with an intellectual disability. But the disability spectrum is massive. The establishment of the Institute on Disability Awareness represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to educating and sharing knowledge to build a society that is more inclusive and accessible for all."

A main priority of the institute is to "break down barriers through knowledge." To that end, an undergraduate minor in disability studies is being developed under the leadership of Dr. Carolyn Shivers, associate professor of psychology at Niagara University.

"As the IDA works to bring together all the incredible existing disability work at NU, the minor will serve not only to provide our students with a valuable curriculum, but it will also highlight the broad range of disability expertise that we have on campus," she said. "The enthusiastic response to this collaborative work among the faculty really speaks to the excitement for this minor, as well as how beautifully this program fits with the university's Vincentian mission."

With the establishment of the institute, Niagara will expand on the many and varied programs it offers to serve people with disabilities, including special education programs through the College of Education. These programs prepare future educators who appreciate and embrace the diverse range of the needs of their students and families, and includes and a credit-bearing course for students to learn about Niagara's continuing partnership with Special Olympics.

For more information about the Institute on Disability Awareness and its programs, please visit ida.niagara.edu.

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