October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. During the month, the Accessibility Working Group which focuses on digital accessibility initiatives will be sending out weekly messages to promote awareness.
Did you know:
1 out of every 4 adults in the U.S. has some type of disability and may need additional support, accommodations or barrier removal to ensure equal access.
What is a disability:
An individual with a disability is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is regarded as having such impairment.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the ADA are two federal civil rights laws which prevent discrimination on the basis of disability. Section 504 and the ADA require entities provide access and accommodations so that individuals are not excluded from participation or benefits within employment, programs, services and activities.
Appalachian State University is committed to providing an inclusive and equal opportunity experience to individuals with disabilities. At Appalachian, over 1000 students and 150 employees have currently disclosed that they have a disability and approximately 800 are actively receiving accommodations for the Fall 2020 semester.
What can you do?
- Build an accepting, inclusive environment by using people-first language.
- Work to understand your beliefs about people with disabilities.
- Learn more about the history and lives of people living with a disability.
“Inclusion elevates all.” – Elaine Hall