Rutgers–New Brunswick Commemorates Disability Awareness in October

October 3, 2023

Dear Rutgers–New Brunswick Community:

Let’s come together to raise awareness about disability throughout October by appreciating the contributions of our students, faculty, and staff with disabilities who enrich the vibrant culture and intellectual life of our campus community.

Disability takes many forms, visible and invisible. Our monthlong commemoration is an opportunity to recognize, bring awareness to, and learn about disabilities and the disability community, and to remember that we value disability as an essential component of our outstanding diversity.

I invite you to explore our Disability Awareness website for a rich schedule of in-person and virtual eventsas well as links to resources and information on how to take action. We hope you will attend the opening event, SparkNight at Zimmerli Art Museum for Disability Awareness Month, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 5, and many other events scheduled throughout October.

Rutgers is a global leader in disability and employment research and is home to the Program for Disability Research at the School of Management and Labor Relations. Our Office of Disability Services provides students, faculty, and staff with resources for creating a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable learning environment.

This fall, Rutgers–New Brunswick launched a new interdisciplinary minor in disability studies designed to support the lived experience of those with disabilities and examine how society views and understands the meaning and consequences of being disabled.

Rutgers–New Brunswick works to ensure that all scholars, from all walks of life, are welcomed, valued, and supported as they work to achieve their goals. I am grateful to all members of our campus community who support these efforts.

Sincerely,

Francine Conway, Ph.D.
Chancellor and Distinguished Professor
Rutgers University–New Brunswick