At the Office of Disability Services, we value disability as yet another component of the incredible diversity found on our campus. Here, students, faculty, and staff can find information and resources to help achieve success at Rutgers.
Rutgers Disability Awareness Month
A Campus-Wide Celebration
Rutgers University is one of the most diverse institutions in the Big 10 and disabilities play a vital role in making our community vibrant and inclusive. See how Rutgers came together to celebrate and learn during Disability Awareness Month in October, and keep the conversation going with resources and actions throughout the year.
Resources and Action
Disability takes many forms, both visible and invisible. Disability Awareness Month at Rutgers is an opportunity for our community to recognize, bring awareness to, and learn about disabilities and the disability community.
As an ally, you can take action and help cultivate an awareness of creating an inclusive environment for all individuals.Â
Rutgers is a global leader in disability and employment research and home to the Program for Disability Research in the School of Management and Labor Relations.
Disability Awareness Month 2022
Disability Awareness Month 2022 was packed with in-person programs and virtual events. Participants learned how to be allies, met new furry friends, got active with adaptive sports, and more.
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Beyond the Field
Rutgers hosted its first Blind and Adaptive Sports Day in 2017 aimed at showcasing abilities, opportunities, and educating the community about sports for people with disabilities. Since then, the event has grown into a campus-wide effort to raise awareness about disability, access, and inclusion—on and off the field.
2022 Select Events
Kinetic Light: DESCENT
Kinetic Light is an internationally recognized disability arts ensemble that creates, performs, and teaches at the nexus of access, queerness, disability, dance, and race. Presented by Mason Gross Dance Department.
Sign the Show: Deaf Culture, Access & Entertainment
Presented by the New Jersey Film Festival, this special screening is a feature length documentary that provides insight to Deaf culture and the quest for access to entertainment.
Voices of Diversity: Rutgers Student Stories
The first panel discussion in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences Office of Undergraduate Education's Voices of Diversity series for the 2022-23 academic year, focusing on the topic of “Students with Disabilities."
Who Let the Dogs In?
Students learn all about emotional support animals (ESA), service animals, and therapy dogs, and have the opportunity to connect with some furry friends. Presented by the Department of Residence Life Student Support.
The Intersectionality of Domestic Violence and People with Disabilities
A discussion about the unique challenges experienced by disabled people in seeking help when faced with domestic violence. Presented by the RBHS Office of Disability Services.
Are Accommodations for Me?
A discussion about accommodations and the support services offered at Rutgers, presented by the Office of Disability Services.
Thank you
A special thank you to our committee, sponsors, partners, and program participants for helping us commemorate the many contributions and experiences of people living with disabilities here at Rutgers.
Active Planning Committee Members
Javier Robles • Jennifer Demby • Carlos Fernandez • Arielle Smith • Bret McCandless • Dee Magnoni • Jakora Thomspon • Jennifer Senick • Julia Ritter • Bryan Adams • Caroline Coffield • Jenevieve Delossantos • Crystal Bedley • Jeff Friedman • Sherlock Washington • Kevin Orcell • Kathy Loder-Murphy • Nychey Michel • Sonia Yaco • Nicole Gangino • Natalie Schultz-Kahwaty • Eva Niemeijer • Christopher Manente • Paul Goobic
Sponsors
Wheelchair Federation • Blind Athletes Inc. • Mason Gross School of the Arts • Rutgers Recreation • Office of Disability Services
Program Partners
Office for Violence Prevention Victim Assistance, New Brunswick and RBHS • Residence Life-Student Support • Mason Gross School of the Arts Dance Department • Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center • Office of Disability Services, New Brunswick and RBHS • Rutgers University Libraries New Brunswick • School of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Program • Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement • Center for Latino Arts and Culture • Department of Latino and Caribbean Studies • RU OK? • Rutgers Speech and Hearing Club • Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions • Zimmerli Art Museum • Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services • Department of Kinesiology and Health • Rutgers Recreation • The Cultural Collaborative • Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy • The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities