SUBJECT: Celebration of Abilities Awareness Events at UC San Diego

I am pleased to announce several Celebration of Abilities Awareness Month events and encourage faculty, staff and students to participate in them during the month of October 2010. The purpose of these activities is to increase the awareness of, and sensitivity to, the abilities and needs of people with disabilities at UC San Diego. Details and a complete schedule of events can be viewed at: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/disabilityawarenessmonth

The Celebration of Abilities Awareness festivities will kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, with live entertainment at the Price Center Plaza and on Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m., with live entertainment in the grassy area between Torrey Pines Centers South and North. Jerry Mathers, of the TV Show "Leave It to Beaver," will make a presentation on Oct. 6, at noon entitled, "Learning From Our Past: Entertainment Industry's Influences on Attitudes About People with Disabilities." Mr. Mathers is a true diversity champion who is an influential advocate for people with disabilities. Jerry Mathers' appearance is made possible by co-sponsorship by a UC San Diego 50th Anniversary Seed Grant.

On Oct. 15 at noon at the Eleanor Roosevelt College Room in Price Center West, I will discuss my perceptions and experiences in a Celebration of Abilities learning opportunity event entitled, “In Your Shoes: A Social Justice Lens - Dialogue on Activities, Access and the Environment.” Please join me and UC San Diego students, faculty, and staff members with disabilities and without disabilities who have paired up and shadowed each other during a part of our typical work or school day. We will have a discussion about what we have learned from our different experiences and how we have succeeded at the University. There is still time to volunteer to participate in these shadowing opportunities and then to participate in the panel discussion. By Oct. 5, contact either Community Advocates for Disability Rights and Education (CADRE) co-chairs: jgasner@ucsd.edu or anorskog@ucsd.edu to learn more. Register to attend this event as an audience member via the following url: http://qwl.ucsd.edu/acces_forums/index_acces.cfm

In recognition of this annual event, I am approving two hours of administrative leave with pay so that employees may attend a Celebration of Abilities Awareness event. Supervisors may allow employees two hours of administrative leave with pay to attend one or more of the planned events when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care.

Inquiries regarding the events and requests for reasonable accommodation may be directed to the Human Resources Department ACCES Program at (858) 534-6744.

Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor