Indiana University East Student Support Services and Fifth Freedom Network is sponsoring is sponsoring several activities on the Richmond campus during the annual Disabilities Awareness Week beginning Monday, March 24. The purpose of the event is to highlight the progress made since the passage of civil rights protections for people with disabilities and some of the barriers still remaining to quality education.

The event is free and open to the public. Chancellor Nasser Paydar and city of Richmond Mayor Sally Hutton will kick off the week’s events.

Activities including free food, videos, door prizes and much more will be held daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Whitewater Hall lobby. Artists with Disabilities of East Central Indiana will have art work on display Monday, March 24 through Thursday, March 27.

Two nationally recognized speakers will share information about their experiences with public education, as individuals with disabilities, from different generations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 27.

Nancy Griffin, the event’s keynote speaker, received her public education in the 50’s and the 60’s and will talk about her public school experiences during an era when people with disabilities were routinely excluded from participation in regular education experiences. The event’s second presenter, Ashley Caveda, will provide the juxtaposition by sharing her more recent college and study abroad experiences.

Local vendors will be available for resources and information including Achieva Resources, Community Connections, Community Council on Disability Awareness, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, The Dunn Center, Fifth Freedom Network, IU East Center for Health Promotion, the Independent Center, Reid Hospital and Health Care Services, and the IU East Office of Student Support Services.

If you have any questions please contact Traci Taylor at 973-8446 or Candace Richardson at (765) 973-8236.