OEO kicks off National Disability Awareness Month

Last Wednesday the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) held a volunteer fair on the Campus Center Patio to promote the various ways students can get involved in National Disability Awareness Month.

"The mission for this is to raise awareness, and be more visible," Coordinator of Disability Awareness Month Dana Christiensen said.

Christiensen says the "spirit" of Tufts students will make for a successful month. "I know a lot of Tufts students volunteer," she said. "I thought this would be a good way to get students involved, or even to talk about their own disabilities."

Members of LCS helped man the booths at the fair and Christensen hopes to continue working with the organization for future events.

Two other Disability Awareness events occurred last night. Rose Hill, a student at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, performed "Map of the Body," which chronicles her battle with cancer. And the film, "When Billy Broke His Head...and Other Tales of Wonder," which looks at disability civil rights in an entertaining manner, was shown in Paige Hall.

In addition this month, the OEO is asking students to donate their old cell phones. The OEO is working with Sprint on "Project Connect," which repairs donated phones and distributes them to the National Organization on Disability and Easter Seals.

With the Student Occupational Therapy Association at BSOT, OEO plans to inform students of backpack safety with a table at the Campus Center later this month. At this interactive booth they will weigh students' backpacks and explain the dangers of having an overstuffed bag.

The OEO ensures that the University complies with federal, state, and local laws pertaining to affirmative action, anti-discrimination, and the Americans with Disabilities Act through education and training. It also raises awareness and deals with grievances on the Tufts campus, according to Christensen.

"OEO is guided by the University's commitment to and desire for a truly integrated, interactive, productive, successful, diverse student body, faculty, and staff," Director of OEO Yves-Rose SaintDic says in their brochure.