This year at UA, Oct. 31 won’t just be a day to wear costumes and eat candy.  Halloween kicks off “Disabilities Awareness Week.” This event is organized by the Office of Accessibility (OA) and highlights its mission to not only provide a fully accessible education to students with disabilities, but also to “celebrate a culturally sensitive and accessible campus.”

Many of the daily events take place in the Student Union.  Students have a chance to help promote the week by taking a picture with Zippy.  

During “Life-Hacks: Note-Taking Apps,” participants will learn about note-taking apps for everyone with and without disabilities.  Thursday, Nov. 3 features an opportunity to learn more about the “r-word” and the disparaging effects of its usage.

The OA will host a scavenger hunt on Wednesday, Nov. 2 to raise awareness about accessibility around the campus.  The hunt begins at the office in Simmons Hall room 105, and the search sends students across campus.

Disabilities Awareness Week ends on Friday, Nov. 4 at Bierce Library, where students can interact with therapy dogs.  WAGtime, a pet visit program from Summa Health, will be teaching attendees about how the dogs are trained and how they can help reduce stress.

This event is just one week in the OA’s goal of providing accessibility for disabled students in all aspects of University life and creating an environment of inclusion and awareness. It furnishes services such as adaptive technology, school books in alternative formats, sign language interpreters, and many others.  

The Office also provides information on scholarships and employment opportunities for students with disabilities.  

Students who can help are encouraged to assist their fellow classmates through the OA. Notetakers may be needed for a classmate in a particular class. The office will send an email to all the students registered in that class.  

Notetakers who fulfill the required duties will receive $100 in their All Campus Zip Card account. It’s also a great way to enhance the resume.

The daily calendar for Disabilities Awareness Week can be found on the Office of Accessibility website.  

Visit uakron.edu/access/ for more information on this event, services provided, and employment opportunities with the OA.