Next week: Disability Awareness Week!

[serene]

Hello friends,

Next week is Disability Awareness Week at Cal and we are working to spread the word as much as possible. Please forward this email to those that will be interested, invite your friends, and come out to events! The week's events will be great for all involved, and we're very excited to see people there!

If you have any questions, please let me know.

See you then!
Alex

Please Forward Widely!

March 8-13 2010 / UC Berkeley / Disability Awareness Week



UC Berkeley is considered by many to be the birthplace of the disability rights movement, and the students, staff, and faculty of UCB are committed to continuing that tradition. That is why the Disabled Students Union, Disabled Students Program, and the ASUC are coordinating the fourth annual Disability Awareness Week. Disability Awareness Week is a week-long series of events intended to highlight the unique experiences of people with disabilities in Berkeley and nationwide, and this year it has grown to incorporate even more topics and organizations. Through Disability Awareness Week, the students, staff, and faculty of UC Berkeley celebrate Principles of Community, Standards of Excellence, and the spirit of Inclusion and Diversity by promoting and empowering the contributions of people with disabilities throughout the world. The main event kicking off DAW aims to establish disability on the Cal social calendar through a hilarious night of comedy.

The DAW committee has invited various student groups on campus to reflect the diversity of the Cal population. As a result, we have put together eight exciting events to promote Disability Awareness at Cal:


Monday March 8, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Converging Minorities

MCC (Heller Lounge), MLK Student Union

The Bridges coalition at Berkeley will facilitate a one-hour discussion workshop to explore the unique position of people of color with disabilities in our educational system. Together we will address questions regarding discrimination, barriers, and resources to understand our current situation and work toward a better future.


Monday, March 8, 2010, Doors 7:30/Show 8:15pm

A Night of Comedy feat. Greg Walloch

Pauley Ballroom, MLK Student Union

$7 Student, $12 General, tables of 9 available

Sponsored by The Disabled Students' Union, Queer Straight Alliance, and ASUC SUPERB

Come join DAW to welcome New York-based comedian Greg Walloch for a night of community and comedy to kick off our full week of events! Greg Walloch, star of 'F**k the Disabled', brings his hilarious act to the Pauley ballroom for a real comedy club performance, complete with round tables and a full cash bar. Mr. Walloch has been described as "a hilariously self-mocking queer on crutches" by New York's Village Voice, and is world renowned for his stand-up comedy and monologues on disability and sexuality. More about Greg can be found at his website, www.gregwalloch.com

The show will be followed by an informal workshop on disability and sexuality, hosted by Greg Walloch. So come ready to enjoy, and stay late if you choose!

50% of all proceeds from this event will go to Whirlwind Wheelchair International, which is working to send 350 of their RoughRider wheelchairs to victims of the January 12 Haiti earthquake.
The RoughRider is specifically designed for people in developing nations, and has unique features that make navigating rough terrain possible. For those in Haiti, this is a necessity, as much of the country is covered in rubble. Additionally, many of those injured in the January 12 earthquake will now need wheelchairs, so sending as many as possible is imperative, and time is of the essence. Quality, durable wheelchairs are are important for newly disabled people in Haiti, and Whirlwind is providing those chairs. For more information on Whirlwind Wheelchair International, visit www.wheelchairsforhaiti.org

We are currently accepting full- and half-table reservations for groups wishing to attend this event. This situation is perfect for student groups or other parties seeking to stay together during the show. Those interested in booking a table and contact Louise at dsu.ucb@gmail.com - please include number of student and non-student tickets in your e-mail, and do so soon! For those not looking to book a table, individual tickets will be available on Sproul from March 1-5 and at the door. Individual tickets can also be reserved by e-mailing dsu.ucb@gmail.com.

Show is all ages. A cash bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available. If over 21, please bring ID.


Tuesday March 9, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Sit-Ins and Bus Blockades: Protest methods and accomplishments of the Disability Rights Movement

Stephens Room, MLK Student Union

The Disability Rights Movement featured some of the most innovative and effective protests of the last half-century, from sit-ins to forceful blockades of public transportation. Join us for a presentation and panel discussion on the methods and accomplishments of this historic movement, featuring individuals that participated on the front lines.


Wednesday March 10, 12:00pm-1:00pm; Thursday, March 11, 2:00pm-3:00pm

Guided Tours of James Castle: A Retrospective

Gallery 3, UC Berkeley Art Museum

Born deaf and raised in rural Idaho, James Castle was an artist of remarkable range, subtlety, and graphic skill. This retrospective is the first comprehensive museum exhibition of his drawings, books, and paper constructions. Join a UC Berkeley graduate student for an engaging and ASL-interpreted tour of this singular exhibition, which was voted among the "best of 2009" by Artforum. (http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/exhibition/castle)



Wednesday March 10, 7:00pm-9:00pm

PTSD: Disability in Today's Society

Stephens Room, MLK Student Union

The Cal Veterans Group will be coming together in a speaker's panel to discuss the nature of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in today's society. Listen to Cal student veterans discuss their experiences, together with key speakers from the Veterans’ Association, and the medical research field. www.calveterans.org



Thursday March 11, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Life, Death, and Social Services

Stephens Room, MLK Student Union


Over the last couple months, activism on Cal campus has reflected the University’s fighting spirit in the face of increasing fees. This panel discussion will draw attention to the additional difficulties that disabled Californians face. The 2010-2011 California budget calls for massive cuts to social services, including IHSS, Medi-Cal, and SSI, which will hit people with disabilities directly. In this panel, policy experts, program directors, and state decision-makers will be discussing the impact of California's budget crisis on people with disabilities and what we can do moving forward.



Friday, March 12, 7:00pm-9:00pm

A Place For All: Faith & Community for Persons with Disabilities

Chapel of the Great Commission (1798 Scenic Ave, at Ridge and Le Conte)


Join the Differently Abled Student Union & the Community Life at the Pacific School of Religion for this insightful documentary on the role of religion in the lives of people with disabilities. Produced by the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, A Place for All Features interviews with religious leaders and people with disabilities from various faiths. Followed by a moderated discussion. Snacks and nonalcoholic drinks provided.

Saturday March 13, 9:00am-4:00pm

3rd Annual Roll 'n' Shoot

Recreational Sports Facility


The final event of the DAW will draw on Cal’s competitive spirit while raising money for for the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP). The committee would like to invite people to join this 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball tournament featuring teams from in and around Cal. No experience necessary, just come a sense of adventure and a competitive spirit! Registration $250/team, to sign up contact Chris Uller at wheelchairbasketballdecal@gmail.com



We are looking forward to joining you to kick off DAW! As always, please feel free to e-mail us with any questions. Otherwise, see you there!


Sincerely,

The DAW Planning Committee



Disability Awareness Week is ASUC Sponsored and Wheelchair Accessible

Co-sponsored by Cal Veterans, ASUC OP, ASUC SUPERB!, Disabled Students' Union, Disabled Students Program/TRIO, Bridges Multicultural Student Union, Queer Straight Alliance, The Differently Abled Student Union, and the Wheelchair Basketball De-Cal.

For Disability Accommodation Requests & Information, please contact Danny Kodmur at (510)643-6456 (voice) or (510)642-6376 (TTY).
*PLEASE MAKE YOUR SERVICE REQUEST ASAP*
Disability Access Services: http://access.berkeley.edu

For general questions email dsu.ucb@gmail.com


--
Alex Ghenis
University of California, Berkeley
4th Year Undergraduate | Geography Major
President, Disabled Students' Union
(541)543-3038 | alex.ghenis@gmail.com