The U.S. Department of Labor is observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October with the theme "Ensuring Access to Good Jobs for All." Stony Brook University is participating in the observance by hosting its fifth annual NDEAM through a series of events organized by the Disability Employment Resource Group. These events aim to educate the campus community about accessibility rights and responsibilities.
The programs are co-sponsored by various university departments, including the Office of Equity & Access (OEA), Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Stony Brook Medicine, and Healthier U. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom.
Nicholas Lajoie and Robert Petrik from SASC will facilitate a session on accessible event planning, providing tools and resources to ensure events are inclusive for students with disabilities. Cathrine Duffy from Healthier U will introduce Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, highlighting its benefits such as reduced anxiety and improved cognitive function.
Melanie Whetzel from the Job Accommodation Network will address accommodating cognitive and neurological disabilities in the workplace, exploring complex scenarios and effective solutions. Lynn Alba from Stony Brook Medicine and Elizabeth Haft from SASC will conduct a workshop on accessibility's role in inclusion and diversity, discussing legislation that promotes employment for people with disabilities.
Kelly Dugan from the Creativity, Technology, and Innovation College Division of Undergraduate Education will focus on creating an inclusive learning environment using Universal Design for Learning principles. Alexis Rodgers from EAP will lead a session on understanding hidden disabilities to foster inclusivity at work.
Finally, Karin Martinsen and Natalie Mertens from OEA will explain accommodation requests under ADA guidelines, detailing how Stony Brook University manages these requests.