Edinboro University to Host ‘Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit’

Edinboro University will host “Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit,” a traveling exhibit designed to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities, Oct. 28-30. The exhibit will be on display in Van Houten South Dining Hall.

Display hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 30 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 29.

This unique traveling exhibit is designed to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities by demonstrating respect for others, comfort during interactions and awareness of disability issues. Using a multimedia approach, it provides 10 interactive stations that offer suggestions for becoming disability allies and educators.

To fund the event, a Stackpole-Hall grant was awarded to EU’s Dr. Margaret Smith and the President’s University Diversity Council (UDC). This event is consistent with the mission of the UDC, which “values the richness of diversity and believes that the intentional recruitment, retention and accommodation of individuals who differ and are similar will broaden and deepen the educational experience and the scholarly environment.”

Learning outcomes for the Exhibit include attendees’ ability to demonstrate knowledge of people with disabilities and the disability movement; display a greater sensitivity to the struggles faced by people with disabilities; understand the value of such concepts as Universal Design and Person-First Language after experiencing these concepts in action; appreciate and understand the concept of and need for Ability Allies and make a commitment to being an ally for inclusion; and become advocates for awareness, acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities in society.

The Ability Exhibit was created by Saint Louis University graduate students and debuted on the SLU campus in October 2010.  Since its debut, the Exhibit has been displayed at other colleges and universities, and it received national recognition at the 2011 ACPA College Student Educators International annual convention.

For more information on the exhibit, email Valerie Hayes, co-chair and ex-officio member of the President’s UDC, at VHAYES@edinboro.edu.