Disability Awareness Month: October 2009
In observance of National Disability Awareness Month, the University of Nevada, Reno is hosting a series of free events and lectures in October 2009 as part of its ongoing initiative to increase awareness, accessibility and opportunities for people with disabilities within the university community.
Posters:
Community Calendar
Michael Glen - Hot Air Balloon Pilot
Presentations: Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 9-10 • Galena High School and Picollo School
Balloon rides: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-13 • Rancho San Rafael Park
Michael Glen became the first paraplegic balloon pilot in the world at age 31. FREE
City of Reno/Paralympic Sport Reno Fall Adaptive Sports Programs
The Fall Adaptive Sports Programs are held from Sept. 10-Nov. 19. Call April Wolfe at the City of Reno, (775) 333-7765.
Northern California Nevada Adaptive Cycling Series
Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. • Patagonia, 8550 White Fir St. (rear parking lot), Reno
Riders, families and friends will sample adaptive cycles on the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway. Lunch provided by
Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America, and vendors will be on site. FEE: $10, includes lunch!
U.S. Quad Rugby Clinic
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. • Evelyn Mount Community Center, 1301 Valley Rd., Reno FEE $25:
Youth Wheelchair Basketball
Thursdays, Oct. 15 - Nov. 19, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Northeast Community Center, 1301 Valley Rd. FEE: $36
Paralympic Academy
Saturday, Oct. 17, 12:30-4:30 p.m. • Neil Road Recreation Center, Reno
Individuals with physical and visual disabilities are invited to join us for an introduction to paralympic sports, including
wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and boccia.
FREE
NNHRA 7th Annual Diversity Conference
Friday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), 7000 Dandini Blvd., Reno
Northern Nevada Human Resources Association conference will include presentations emphasizing diversity as it relates
to the workplace and our educational institutions, K-16. Call (775) 323-5544 or email contact@nnhra.org.
Families First Conference
Friday, Oct. 2-3
• UNR, Joe Crowley Student Union, Reno
Presentations on early intervention, assistive technology, education, recreation, health care, mental health, family support,
inclusion and more. Call Project ASSIST at (800) 522-0066. Financial assistance available; visit www.nevadaddcouncil.org.
U.S.D Quad Rugby Athletes
Thursday, Oct. 8, 3 p.m.
• Western Nevada College (WNC), Marlette Hall, Cedar Building, Carson City
In conjunction with the U.S. Quad Rugby Clinic and Disability Awareness, Western Nevada College hosts speakers from the
community of quad rugby athletes. Call WNC at (775) 445-3266. FREE, includes refreshments!
NAMI State Convention: Mental Health Matters
Friday, Oct. 9 • Best Western Air Plaza Hotel, 1981 Terminal Way, Reno
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) State Convention includes distinguished speakers from the judiciary, crisis
intervention teams, the mental health profession, and NAMI administration. FREE
DSNNN Buddy Walk
Saturday, Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m.
• Sparks Marina, Sparks
Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada hosts its annual walk supported by the National Down
Syndrome Society, to promote awareness/inclusion for people with Down syndrome. Visit www.dsnnn.org or
call (775) 828-5159.
4th Annual Accommodations Fair
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m.-Noon • UNR, Joe Crowley Student Union, Reno
The Accommodations Fair is for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or visually impaired. Disability services
administrators, students, parents and community members will be able to see accommodations “in action” at exhibit
booths. Call Mary Anne Christensen at the UNR Disability Resource Center, (775) 784-6000 or email maryac@unr.edu. FREE
Discover Your Future Career Fair
Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 13-14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. • UNR, Joe Crowley Student Union, Reno
Open to all Washoe County School District transition age youth 14-22 with disabilities, the Career Fair will
host business professionals offering career guidance, as well as job-readiness workshops and self advocacy and
benefits-planning training. Call Cheryl Katzmark, (775) 333-7878 or email cheryl@ndalc.org. FREE
Discover Your Future speaker: Jonah Vandever
Tuesday, Oct. 13, Noon-1 p.m. • UNR, Joe Crowley Student Union Ballroom, Reno
While it was a tough beginning for 11-year-old Jonah Vandever, today he is a marvel, as a double amputee who
walks, runs and is quite a skier. He also participates in the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, where he
mentors U.S. military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who have lost limbs in combat. FREE
Discover Your Future speaker: Ross Szabo
Wednesday, Oct. 14, Noon-1 p.m. • UNR, Joe Crowley Student Union Ballroom, Reno
Named “Best Male Performer” by Campus Activities Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards, Ross Szabo is director of youth
outreach for the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign. Call Mary Anne Christensen at the UNR Disability
Resource Center, (775) 784-6000 or email maryac@unr.edu.
FREE, includes lunch!
Alan E. Fruzzetti, Ph.D.
Presentation: Thursday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. • TMCC, Student Center Red Mountain Building, Reno
Presentation: Thursday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m. • WNC, Marlette Hall, Cedar Building, Carson City
Associate professor of psychology and director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Program at the University
of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Alan Fruzzetti has provided extensive training in DBT, with research focused on couple and
family interactions, and effective treatments. Call TMCC at (775) 673-7126; and WNC at (775) 445-3266. FREE
The Note-Ables: Noodles and Notes
Friday, Oct. 16, 5-7 p.m. • McKinley Arts and Culture Center, 925 Riverside Dr., Reno
Join this family-friendly fundraiser in support of people with mental and physical disabilities. The event includes
musical performances featuring talent from the Note-Ables programs. Call (775) 324-5521. Tickets: $10,
includes dinner!
Sierra Storm Wheelchair Rugby Tournament
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 30-Nov. 1 • Plumas Gymnasium, Reno
Hosted by the Sierra Challenge Athletic Association in cooperation with the City of Reno Adaptive Recreation Program,
teams from the U. S. Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) will join the Sierra Storm in a fun-filled weekend. Call April Wolfe
at the City of Reno, (775) 333-7765.
FREE
National studies have shown that 1 freshman in 11 entering higher education each year will have a documented disability. The University of Nevada, Reno Disability Resource Center, which opened in 1996, provides services to more than 880 students with disabilities.
In 1945, U.S. Congress designated the first week of October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week, with the aim of helping disabled veterans. The word "physically" was later removed to recognize the needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In the 1970s, a shift in public policy led to further amendments fueled by the belief that discriminatory acts of exclusion and segregation against people with disabilities should be addressed through the courts. As a result, the U.S. saw passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and the designation, by presidential proclamation, of a full month to increase public awareness and acknowledge the capabilities of the 30 million people of working-age in the U.S. who live with disabilities.
For more information about the University of Nevada, Reno Disability Awareness Month events, or the University's initiatives and services for people with disabilities, call Mary Anne Christensen at the Disability Resource Center, (775) 784-6000, email
maryac@unr.edu, or visit:
http://www.unr.edu/stsv/slservices/drc
