New Insight to an Inclusive Community
New Experiences at the Diversability Expo, Oct 2017
In October, one of our Independent Living Advocates, Elizabeth, attended the Diversability Expo at Kennesaw State University. During the event, she learned a variety of aspects about inclusion and diversity. Elizabeth wrote about her experiences to share with the community.
“During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I had the privilege of attending the first joint event between the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Presidential Commission on Disability Strategies and Resources at Kennesaw State University on KSU’s Marietta Campus, Diversability Expo.
During the first few hours, I was already impressed with new knowledge. This was my first time being at a conference where there were programs included for persons visually impaired, a verbal presenter, with a visual PowerPoint, two sign language interpreters rotating every 20 minutes, and CART Services (Computer Assisted Real Time Transcription) projecting live on the screen during workshops and general session presentations. Transcripts for all the sessions were available and there was also a Quiet Room available for attendees that needed time away from the noise, bright lights, and other stimuli related to the expo, not available for conversations or meetings.
My experiences with the sessions were interesting and insightful.
Session A: I opted to attend the “Walk A Mile in My Shoes: Strengths and Challenges of People with Diverse Abilities” class. Several members of a round table discussed their unique strengths as well as their challenges they face daily.
Our Plenary Speaker, Rebecca Cowan (State Coordinator of DeafBlind Services with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Program) shared a passionate presentation combined with her personal, educational, and career experiences and expertise.
Session C: I attended “By The Number: Examining Employment Issues For People With Disabilities” presenters intent of most cultural heritage months is to focus awareness on cultural diversity in the United States. The intent of the National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is to focus on cultural awareness, but the month also focuses on the disadvantages people with disabilities have faced in the work force.
I was also able to attend other afternoon sessions including “Leveraging the Power of Partnerships” and “Finding Motivation to Deal With Life’s Challenges”. There were also 20 vendors set up in the resource area, each providing valuable information from across the greater Atlanta Area and the state of Georgia.
I was excited to see the event had a greater turnout than expected. There were 3 rooms with 25 seats for the various workshops that filled quickly to standing room only. I learned so much at this truly inclusive event!”
– Elizabeth, IL Advocate at Walton Options