Highlighting Disability Awareness Month

Dear Cal Lutheran Community,

Over a year ago, the Division of Talent, Culture, and Diversity recommended that the University officially identify a number of affinity months each academic year, and during those months, highlight the contributions and legacies of the respective communities. In that vein, Cal Lutheran has marked March as Disability Awareness Month. Accordingly, this is a time when we are called to learn more about and celebrate the contributions that people with disabilities have made to our community and beyond.

The programming activities for Disability Awareness Month got an early start on Wednesday, February 21. That evening, we had the honor of hosting Temple Grandin, Ph.D., a renowned advocate for autistic communities and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Dr. Grandin delivered an inspiring lecture to a packed house in Samuelson Chapel. Her program, titled "Great Minds Are Not All the Same,” was part of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Lecture Series. It was supported by the Artist and Speakers Series, the Autism Center, and the Center for Teaching and Learning, and was exceptionally well-received by the hundreds of people who came from near and far to hear her.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to offer programs that promote awareness and reinforce our ongoing efforts to be a more inclusive community. Some of the key ones include the following:

• Lecture Lunch with Dr. Sandra Aldana, March 14, Ullman 100/101 and via Zoom, from 12:30-2 p.m. Following University Chapel Service, stop by this program to listen to Dr. Aldana's “Disability Advancing Access and Equity” talk. Lunch will be provided. 
• Human Resources Micro-Learning Session for faculty and staff who want to learn more about the ADA Accommodation and Interactive Process, March 15, via Zoom, from 11-11:30 a.m. 
• Distinguished expert in Autism Research, Dr. Edlyn Pena, will walk us through “Our Spectrum, Our Stories: Illuminating the Colors of Autism through Personal Narrative,” March 21, Pearson Library, from 12:45-2 p.m.

Find more information about these events in the official flyer or the online Calendar of Events.

In addition to Disability Awareness, March is also the time when we celebrate women’s history. Thanks to the hard work of colleagues from departments across campus, the University is offering a number of programs in this area as well. Please check The Hub and Calendar of Events regularly to see which ones you are able to attend.

Speaking of the hard work of faculty and staff around campus, I would like to acknowledge that many of the trainings and events for affinity months are sponsored by the Division of Talent, Culture, and Diversity, the Pearson Library, and the Graduate School of Education. Additionally, I want to recognize that there is significant behind-the-curtain work that makes our affinity-month programs so special. I am especially grateful to Campus Services, Sodexo, Media Services, and student groups who work so collaboratively on these events. Let’s continue learning from each other, challenging stereotypes, and celebrating the diverse strengths and gifts that each individual brings to our campus. 

In Community,