Disability Awareness Week Begins at FPU

Mar 20, 2017

This week (March 20-24, 2017) begins Franklin Pierce University’s first Ravens Advocate! Disability Awareness Week to highlight the importance of an inclusive, diverse and supportive campus with events occurring daily throughout the week.

Hosted by Student Accessibility Services, Residential Life, Student Involvement, the Student Success Center, and Campus Recreation, the week will offer a variety of events, including a visit from Upreach Therapeutic Riding Center on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon, where a short presentation on therapy horses will lead into opportunities for attendees to participate in unmounted activities with the horses. 

Additional events include a movie screening of Franklin Pierce’s most notable alumnae, Temple Grandin ’70, therapy dogs from Monadnock Therapy Pets, a variety of presentations, and an appearance by Ms. Wolf-Downes from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, sharing about her personal experience as a member of the deaf community.

“The purpose of the programming is to reduce stigma surrounding self-advocacy and increase peer support by connecting students, faculty and staff across campus," said Misty Start, experience director and event organizer. “While increasing awareness of disabilities that often are unseen, sharing information about how to make curriculum more accessible, and promoting self-care and self-advocacy practices.”

Students will have the opportunity to learn about the disabilities that are common across campus, such as raising a child with disabilities from experience director Chris Johnson.

Student Disability Services will host presentations on using accessible PDFs and accommodations in the workplace after college.

Community Assistants will host small group discussions and post educational flyers around campus.

All activities are free and open to Franklin Pierce University students, faculty, and staff. 

Students can attend events and share experiences with the #FPUDAW17 hashtag.

To see the full list of events during Raven’s Advocate Disability Awareness Week, see below.

Raven’s Advocate Disability Awareness Week Schedule

Monday, March 20                          

Got Style?
7 p.m.
Cheshire Community Room          

Relieve some stress through an activity that combines light movement and art! 

Presented by Rob Koch, Health & Outreach   

Tuesday, March 21

Accessible PDFs  
1 p.m.
Library Instruction Room

Choosing to use accessible PDFs gives students greater access to the curriculum through features such as highlighting, text to speech, and other accessibility options. Learn how you can make your curriculum more accessible to students. 

Presented by the Student Success Center.

Raising a Child with Special Needs
6 p.m.
Cheshire Community Room

Chris Johnson is not only an Experience Director and Faculty member at Franklin Pierce, but he is also the father of Wesley ‘Wes” Johnson, our youngest Raven on campus!  Come to this session to learn about the joys, challenges, and triumphs of raising a child with special needs.

Presented by Chris & Wesley Johnson.

Wednesday, March 22

Therapeutic Horses from Upreach Therapeutic Riding Center
10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Location: Bubble Parking Lot

Upreach Therapy Riding Center will begin with a short presentation on therapy horses, which will lead into opportunities for attendees to participate in unmounted activities with the horses.

Deaf Culture and American Sign Language 
1 p.m.
Cheshire Community Room

Hear from Ms. Wolf-Downes from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about her personal experience as a member of the Deaf community. An interpreter will also be available to teach some basic American Sign Language.

Presented by Susan Wolf-Downes, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Accommodations After College
5 p.m.
Cheshire Community Room

Most students with disabilities know how to ask for services in high school and college. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the responsibilities of employers to provide services and supports in the workplace.  Please join us to learn more about the rights of employees with disabilities in the workplace.

Presented by the Student Success Center.

Temple Grandin Film
7 p.m.
Spagnuolo Hall

Temple Grandin ‘70 is one of Franklin Pierce University’s most notable alumnae for her work in the livestock industry, in animal behavior, and as a national spokesperson for autism. As a student with autism, Ms. Grandin models that potential in every person be successful and impact the world.

Thursday, March 23

Calming Test Anxiety
3 p.m.
Cheshire Community Room

Please join us to learn helpful tips on how to maximize test performance and minimize test anxiety!
Presented by the Student Success Center and Experience Director Misty Start

Calming Jars
7 p.m.
Cheshire Community Room.

Calming Jars are used by many individuals to de-stress and calm anxiety. These jars are made with a mason jar filled with water, glitter, and glue. Come learn about how they can help you de-stress and make your own to take home with you.

Presented by Kalyn DaSilva ’18.

Friday, March 24

Therapy Dogs
11 p.m.
Spagnuolo Hall

Monadnock Therapy Pets will come to campus to present on the benefits of therapy animals and allow attendees to interact with their therapy dogs. 

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