Disability Awareness Month

Events Summary

October 7, 2009
Disability Awareness Day Program
UWF observed Disability Awareness Day on October 7, 2009 with a program of entertainment, presentations and experiential workshops in the University Commons Auditorium. UWF President Judy Bense delivered the Keynote address, in which she related her own experiences teaching students with disabilities, and how she focuses on what their abilities are rather than on their limitations. Dr. John Platt delivered an academic presentation titled, "The Same is not Equal". Additional highlights included a speech by UWF student Monty Pate, a poetry reading by UWF student Jonathan Delevoe, music by vocalist and UWF student Patrick Hairiston and a performance by the Pyramid Show Choir.

This year's experiential workshops were a resounding success, and students could be seen simulating visual, hearing and mobility disabilities throughout the campus during the workshop. Some students even signed up to experience having more than one disability at once, such as using a wheelchair with a hearing impairment, or using crutches while blindfolded. They then talked about their experiences in a disability forum that was facilitated by WEAR-TV anchor Sue Straughn.

October 13, 2009
Disability Awareness Award Luncheon
On October 13, 2009, the Disabilities Summit Council presented the Disabilities Awareness Awards Luncheon in the University Conference Center. For this event, the University honors one or more members of the UWF community for its Disabilities Awareness Award based on nominations by students, faculty and staff. This year's recipients were Jennifer Adkins and La'Krystal Neal-Williams. Adkins an instructor in the History department, received an award in recognition of her just-published history of the Pensacola Area's first and longest-standing disability rights organization, the Pensacola Pen-Wheels. Neal-Williams received an award in recognition of her success in increasing student involvement in disability awareness-related activities such as the experiential workshops on Disability Awareness Day 2009. Numerous other public organizations and private businesses participated and gave disability awareness awards to deserving employees and clients.

October 26, 2009

Wheelchair Basketball

On October 26, 2009, UWF hosted the Mobile Patriots for its 8th annual wheelchair basketball game. The Patriots played against a host of UWF and community teams for 15 minutes at a time. Linda "Sonshine" Moorer of 106.1 FM was the announcer. Home teams included the UWF Women's Basketball team, the UWF Clubs and Organizations team, the UWF Faculty and Staff/Business Leadership Network team, and Roy Jones Jr.'s All Stars. Entertainment was provided by the UWF Cheerleaders and the UWF Dance Team, with a half-time performance by the UWF Spirit Squad, which is comprised of faculty, staff, and student volunteers who practiced long and hard for the event.