Sent to All Students, Faculty & Staff - September 12, 2024
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Celebrating Access to Good Jobs for All!
Every October the US Department of Labor promotes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM 2024 focuses on ensuring Access to Good Jobs for All. As part of our 5th Annual NDEAM the Disability Employment Resource Group has scheduled a series of programs designed to help all member of our campus community understand their right to and responsibility for an accessible Stony Brook University.
NDEAM Events
Sponsored by the Disability Employment Resource Group
The Office of Equity & Access (OEA), the Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Stony Brook Medicine and Healthier U.
Healthier U. Chair Yoga
Tuesday, Oct. 1 @ 11 noon
Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Cathrine Duffy
Chair yoga is a form of yoga done while sitting or standing and using a chair for support. Chair yoga can improve flexibility, concentration, strength and mood.
Inclusive Event Planning: Making Campus Events Accessible
Thursday, Oct. 3 @ 11 noon
Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Nicholas Lajoie and Robert Petrik, Student Accessibility Support Center - SASC
This session will provide an overview of accessible event planning. Participants will be provided with the tools and resources needed to ensure events are accessible for students with disabilities. An overview of the Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) will be provided for staff and faculty to learn more about the resources available to students with disabilities on campus.
Healthier U. Mindfulness
Tuesday, October 8 @ 11 am
Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Cathrine Duffy
People of all ages and walks of life have discovered the life-changing benefits of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), developed in 1979 by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. Research shows that individuals who regularly practice mindfulness have decreased anxiety and depression, improved cognitive function, improved immune system function, decreased blood pressure and migraine frequency, reduced systemic inflammation, and improved coping with pain and illness. This session will provide an introduction to the practice.
Presented by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Accommodating Employees with Diverse Cognitive and Neurological Needs
Accommodating cognitive and neurological disabilities, such as mental health conditions, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, brain injury and seizure disorders, in the workplace may pose unique considerations that do not exist with other disabilities, as the need for accommodations may not always be apparent. Potential complexities may arise in understanding employee limitations, identifying the root causes, and determining effective accommodations. Employers may encounter scenarios involving medical documentation, applying performance and conduct standards, ensuring safety, preserving confidentiality, and more. Join us for a session that explores complex accommodation scenarios in the workplace and discover effective solutions to help maintain productive employees with diverse needs.
Embracing Diversity and Accessibility for a Stronger Workforce
This collaborative and engaging workshop will explore the critical role that accessibility plays in inclusion and diversity, and that diversity in turn plays in building a more innovative workforce, driving organizational success and increasing employee satisfaction. Learn practical approaches to enhance accessibility, champion inclusivity, and create a diverse and dynamic workplace by meeting the needs of diverse employees. Highlights include current legislation at the state level that promotes the employment of people with disabilities..
Crafting an Accessible Curriculum
Learn how to create an inclusive learning environment through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, integrating assistive technologies, and designing accessible materials. Key topics included understanding various disabilities, applying best practices for digital and print materials, and adhering to legal and ethical standards..
Understanding Hidden Disabilities in the Workplace
Tuesday, October 22 @ 11 am
Location: via Zoom
Facilitators: Alexis Rodgers, EAP
Not all disabilities are visible; most, from neurological disorders to mental health issues to non-apparent physical disabilities, are hidden. This session will highlight how awareness of hidden disabilities can help supervisors and coworkers build a more inclusive work environment.
Accommodation Requests: A Primer
Thursday, Oct. 24 @ 11am
Location: via Zoom
Facilitators: Karin Martinsen & Natalie Mertens, OEA
The when, why and how of accommodation requests. Participants will learn the legal foundations of accommodations under the ADA, how Stony Brook University handles requests, manages ongoing accommodations and best practices for supervisors.