The eleven-year tradition of University of Denver (DU) Disability Awareness Days (DAD) almost came to an end in 2003, when budget constraints forced University Disability Services (UDS) to redirect their funding for the weeklong series of events. Traditionally, DAD has included displays, presentations, speakers, panels, and awards ceremonies with the purpose of creating awareness of students at DU with disabilities who make up approximately 10% of the student body.
The importance of the weeklong series of events persuaded the DU student organization BELAY to assume the leadership role in making DAD happen in 2003 from April 7th-11th. The DU organization BELAY advocates and creates awareness for DU students with physical and learning disabilities on campus. The members of the organization felt that DAD was consistent with the organization’s purpose, which resulted in the organization sponsoring a weeklong series of events for DAD. BELAY member Tim Kelley felt the objective of DAD was to, “Make people aware of how disabilities affect students. It [DAD] helps mainstream students realize that we are part of the community.” The enthusiasm of the BELAY members led to the creation of four events during the week.
On Monday April 7th BELAY in conjunction with the Alpine Club, All Undergraduate Student Association Senate, Community Action Program, Environmental Awareness Program, and Pioneer Leadership Program brought Mount Everest climber Eric Alexander to campus. In a multimedia presentation, Mr. Alexander recounted his experiences helping his friend Eric Weihenmayar, the first blind man to summit Mount Everest in 2001. The audience enjoyed the presentation. Learning Effectiveness Program Staff Member Dave Luker felt that the presentation was, “Inspiring, I liked his constant referral to the importance of the journey rather than the destination. It [presentation] seemed to have an eastern philosophy feel even though he is obviously grounded in western spiritual faith.”
The BELAY group also tabled on the Driscoll Bridge on Tuesday April 8th and Thursday April 10th from 11am-3pm. The members provided Driscoll Bridge crossers with information about Braille and the intricacies of disabilities. Lauren Hunter and Ryan Shugart who are BELAY members, provided passersby with information about Braille. Lauren and Ryan, who have been blind since birth, provided personal insight and knowledge into the creation and meaning of Braille characters.
When asked about the day’s event on the Driscoll Bridge, Ms. Hunter responded, “People were able to learn about the basics on how Braille works.” Passersby to the BELAY table seemed interested with Ms. Hunter’s presentations. She added that, “Students seemed interested in how it [Braille] works. And they were also interested in learning how I used Braille in conjunction with school.” Additionally, BELAY held a panel on the DU radio station KVDU on Wednesday April 9th at 12pm.
The BELAY panel was broadcast on the internet and live into the Driscoll Commons, where the BELAY members were able to engage students eating lunch there. The panel moderated by BELAY Staff Advisor Chris Rutan consisted of BELAY student members Lauren Hunter, Ryan Shugart, Ellie Billington, Tim Kelley, and Tyler DeWeese who spoke about their personal experiences as students with disabilities. The broadcast lasted for one hour and covered a variety of topics from what the BELAY members thought would be the ideal campus for students with disabilities to how the members built up their self-esteem to come forward and discuss their disabilities. Panelist and BELAY member Ellie Billington thought that the KVDU broadcast “was very productive and informative. I hope the DU population has a better understanding of disabilities.”
When all the BELAY events were finished on Thursday April 10th, BELAY member Ryan Shugart summed up the weeklong events in a positive manner. Ryan had positive sentiments about the week’s events, “I thought it was a really positive experience, and brought awareness to a lot of people.”
