Disability Awareness Week includes distinguished speakers, ADA discussion, wheelchair dancing, Paralympic Sports Day

With distinguished speakers, reflections on the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), wheelchair dancing, discussions, presentations, and Paralympics sports, Rowan University will celebrate “Disability Awareness Week, Oct. 26-30.

“Disability and Diversity” is the theme of the weeklong observance, organized by the Academic Success Center and co-sponsored by Counseling and Psychological Services and Healthy Campus Initiatives. All events are free and open to the public.

“Our theme embraces the everyday uniqueness of students, faculty and staff who make up our Rowan community,” says John Woodruff, director of the Academic Success Center.

“It’s only through coming together to acknowledge and accept our differences that we can make strides to become a more culturally competent community.”

Guest speakers for the week include: Dr. Dan Gottlieb, a practicing psychologist and therapist who hosts “Voices in the Family,” a weekly radio program on National Public Radio in Philadelphia; and Matt Glowacki, a businessman and former Paralympics athlete who is one of the most in-demand diversity speakers in the nation.

Here’s a day-by-day look at Disability Awareness Week:

Monday, Oct. 26

The week kicks off with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. in the training room of the Wellness Center.

The event includes the presentation of Dedicated Professional Awards. The awards recognize individuals and groups across the University for their support of the disability community.

Recipients will include: J.T. Mills, assistant director for Multicultural and Inclusion Programs; Vern Howery, chief of Communications and Emergency Medical Services, and Rowan EMS; and Gary Baker, assistant director of Orientation and Student Leadership Programs, and the PROS staff.

Also on Monday, a disability resource fair runs from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Pit of the Chamberlain Student Center.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Dr. Dan Gottlieb will present “I Broke My Neck and My Soul Began to Breathe,” at 7 p.m. in the Eynon Ballroom of the Chamberlain Student Center.

A therapist, author and radio host who has given more than 1,000 lectures around the world, Gottlieb was paralyzed in a near-fatal automobile accident in 1979. Since 1985, he has hosted “Voices in the Family,” an award-winning mental health call-in radio show on WHYY-FM.

Gottlieb, who will hold a book signing after his talk, is the author of a number of books, including The Wisdom We’re Born With, his latest work.

Also on Tuesday, an open house providing information on scholarships runs from 1-4 p.m. in Room 343 of Campbell Library.

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Speaker Matt Glowacki will present “Diversity According to South Park and Family Guy,” at 11 a.m. in the Eynon Ballroom of the Chamberlain Student Center.

Born without legs, Glowacki is a Wisconsin businessman and a sought-after motivational speaker who has spoken to more than 100,000 people nationally and internationally. Glowacki played volleyball on the U.S. Paralympics Team in 2000, representing the nation internationally in Sydney, Cairo and Athens. He founded “What It Takes: Cornerstones for Success,” in Wisconsin. He brought the program to more than 25,000 students.

After Glowacki’s talk, he’ll host a break-out discussion session at 1 p.m. in Room 144 of the Chamberlain Student Center.

Also on Wednesday, “The Music Within,” a film, will be screened at 3 p.m. in Computer Room 131 of Campbell Library. The film tells the true story of Richard Pimentel, a respected public speaker whose hearing disability drove him to become an activist for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Thursday, Oct. 29

The day offers a whirlwind of events and activities in the Chamberlain Student Center, including: “Disability Awareness 101: The Basics," presented by the Office of Social Justice, Inclusion and Conflict Resolution (10 a.m., Room 127); “The ADA: 25 Years and Beyond,” presented by the Office of Equity and Diversity and Rowan University Counsel (1 p.m., Room 127); and Disability Prof Talk, sponsored by Orientation and Student Leadership Programs (6:30 p.m., Owl’s Nest).

Additionally, able-bodied students will have the opportunity to learn what it’s like to dance and compete in sports from a wheelchair during two afternoon events in the Rec Center: Wheelchair Ballroom Dancing (2 p.m.) and Paralympics Sports Day (4 p.m.).

Representatives from the American Dance Wheels Foundation will demonstrate ballroom dancing and give lessons to students in an event sponsored by the Rec Center and the Rowan Ballroom Dancing Club. Meanwhile, students will learn to play wheelchair basketball, volleyball and bocce ball in an event presented by the Rowan Rec Center and the Department of Health & Exercise Science.

Friday, Oct. 30

The week ends with a Chill ’N Chat talk focusing on disability awareness at 11 a.m. in the training room of the Wellness Center. The discussion is sponsored by Healthy Campus Initiatives.

For information on Disability Awareness Week, contact Woodruff at woodruff@rowan.edu.