July Is Disability Awareness Month
Disability Awareness Month in July commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that took place on July 26, 1990. ADA promotes equal rights and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Engineers have the ability to make the world more accessible and make the struggles that abled/disabled individuals experience obsolete by engineering more inclusively through Universal Design. Universal Design is in essence designing something for all to use not just those seen as ‘able-bodied’ but also can be equally used by those who are ‘able-bodied’ and disabled alike.
Resource highlights:
Erik Brenner, Director of Diversity Initiatives and Engagement, COE
Erik Brenner is leading COE’s Neurodiversity Engineering initiative. He develops, implements, and leads the diversity programs dedicated to enhancing the support of neurodiverse individuals within the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the college. He also leads the recently launched Neurodiversity Support Initiative (NSI) in the College of Engineering which is overseen by an internal advisory committee. This neurodiversity program works towards expanding a neuro-inclusive culture on campus. It includes projects such as student coaching, professional development, employer partnerships, disability advocacy, and DEI partnerships.
Disability Inclusion in the College of Engineering Student Group
The college also has the student group DICE, Disability Inclusion in the College of Engineering. Their goal is to create a space of community, belonging, and advocacy for those who identify as disabled in the College of Engineering.
For more information on this student club, contact: dicenortheastern@gmail.com