Mississippi State University will host a series of events throughout October to raise student awareness of people with disabilities as a part of Disabilities Awareness Month.
Tunisa Rice, graduate student in Counselor Education and events coordinator, said the month’s theme, “Your Attitude is My Disability,” centers on trying to change peoples’ attitudes and perceptions of people with disabilities.
“With this year’s disability awareness month program, we desire to see more people come to a realization that their own attitudes may be disabling,” said Janice Thompson, interpreter for Student Support Services. “We want individuals to reflect on any barriers they may be placing between themselves and a person with a disability. If we begin with attitude adjustment we may see a change in behavior.”
About 250 to 300 students with disabilities are enrolled at MSU each semester, said Debbie Baker, director of Student Support Services.
“We celebrate disability awareness because we at MSU embrace diversity and believe that it is the differences among us that makes us a strong and vibrant nation,” Baker said. “But as with any minority sometimes we need to have programs that highlight the strengths and capabilities of a people and avoid stereotypes that hinder a group of people from achieving their full potential. This is the case of persons with disabilities,” she continued.
Activities begin Oct. 1 with a kickoff rally at The Dawg House from noon to 2 p.m. The rally’s purpose is to provide able-bodied students an opportunity to socialize with students with disabilities. The event will include a question-and-answer game in a “Jeopardy” format, door prizes and a membership drive for the United Students Organization.
A panel discussion will be held Oct. 14 in The Colvard Union second floor lobby from 6 to 8 p.m. The panel will serve as an opportunity for students and members of the faculty to hold an open discussion with students with disabilities.
“Disability Challenge” activities will be held on the Drill Field from noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 16. Designed to give students hands-on experience at being disabled, the event will highlight mobility, hearing and visual impairments. Some of the planned activities include a wheel-chair race and blind-cane maze. Free pizza and drinks will also be provided at the event.
Carson Cook, the director of diversity and equity program, will speak at a brown-bag luncheon and workshop on Oct. 21 at The Union Small Auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. to encourage the accommodation students with disabilities on campus.
Joyce Johnson, job placement coordinator for Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, will also speak in a workshop at the auditorium about job placement and employment opportunities for the disabled on Oct. 28 from 1 to 2 p.m.
MSU offers several accommodations for students with disabilities, including additional time for testing, distraction-free testing environments, priority pre-registration, and advocacy policies, which allows for disabled students to address professors and faculty regarding their concerns, Thompson said.
MSU has history of assisting students with disabilities, Baker said.
Before the 1973 Rehabilitation Act was passed, Dr. T.K. Martin pushed to provide access and accommodations for students with disabilities on campus. MSU also built the only Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on blindness and low-vision in the country. The Disability Technology Center is also housed in the T.K. Martin Center. The center’s purpose is helping people with disabilities achieve greater independence and higher quality of life through the use of assisting devices.
Donald Prisock, disability service coordinator for Student Support Services, was one of the first disabled students to attend MSU.
“I started at State as a student in 1972. At that time, there were no cuts and only two ramps available for the handicapped, with one at a 45 degree angle. We have come a long way in 31 years,” Prisock said.
“Many of us look at a person with an obvious disability and see the limitations, not the person,” Baker said. “So the focus of the month is to provide programs and activities that will increase awareness and knowledge about people with disabilities and that despite limitations they can make a tremendous contribution to our society.”
Sponsors of Disability Awareness Month events and activities include Student Support Services, Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, the T.K. Martin Center, the Student Association, Northeast Mississippi Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Domino’s Pizza.