Our Mission:Ìý
The Â鶹´«Ã½ Employees with Disabilities Association (EWDA) fosters a community of education, advocacy, and connectedness among faculty and staff, regardless of disability status, to address shared challenges, promote inclusivity, and enhance accessibility across the university.Ìý
Our Vision:
The Employees with Disabilities Association (EWDA) was established in January 2019 to support the needs and interests of employees with disabilities or different abilities at Â鶹´«Ã½. The Association shall promote the concerns of the University's employees with disabilities and serve as a voice for this constituency. EWDA aims to create a campus culture where all employees and students with disabilities thrive in an equitable, supportive, and accessible environment, enriched by shared learning and collaboration.
Objectives of EWDA
- Advocacy and Accessibility:ÌýCollaborate with HR and Facilities Management to address workplace accessibility concerns and improve resources for employees with disabilities.
- Events and Education:ÌýOrganize workshops, panels, and social events that raise awareness and educate the campus community on disability-related topics.
- Mentoring Program:ÌýDevelop and manage a mentoring program where EWDA members support and guide students with disabilities, fostering their academic success, progression to graduation, and preparation for a confident and successful career.
- Communications:ÌýEstablish and maintain effective outreach, including a social media presence, newsletters, and other channels, to connect with current and prospective members.
- Membership Growth:ÌýEncourage participation from diverse faculty and staff members, emphasizing the group’s inclusivity and no-cost membership policy.
Committee Goals
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Conduct biannual reviews of campus accessibility in partnership with Facilities Management.
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Develop a feedback system for members to report workplace concerns.
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Advocate for inclusive policies and practices with HR and university leadership.
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Host at least two events per semester, including workshops, panels, and networking opportunities.
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Collaborate with external organizations or guest speakers to bring diverse perspectives to campus events.
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Pair faculty/staff mentors with students each semester.
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Provide training sessions for mentors to ensure effective and supportive relationships.
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Evaluate the mentoring program annually to assess impact and areas for improvement.
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Maintain an active social media presence with weekly updates and engagement.
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Publish aÌýnewsletter once per semester highlighting member achievements, upcoming events, and resources.
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Design and distribute promotional materials to increase awareness of EWDA.
Upcoming Meetings
Our next Members meeting of 2025 will take place on Tuesday, April 22 12:30 - 1:30 PM in-person at the Perry Library Learning Commons room 1310
as well as on Zoom (Meeting ID:Ìý964 6125 1989)
In this meeting, we will hold elections for the Advocacy & Accessibility Chair as well as hear from a guest speaker.