MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

It is okay to talk about suicide. To let people know that they are not alone. So, in September, you are encouraged to learn about managing suicidal ideation and how to help those in your community living with mental illness.
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For direct resources on getting help for you or someone you know, use this link,
https://afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources/
or contact (517) 355-8270 for the MSU CAPS 24/7 Virtual Crisis Counseling
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Information provided by:
https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Month

When registering for accommodations with the RCPD, students and staff received a form called a VISA. In an effort to be more inclusive, the documentation outlining all accommodations will now be called an Accommodation Letter.

Registration and Applications for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) are now open through October 15th.
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Who Can Apply?
Students and recent graduates can apply to WRP if they:
• Have a disability and are eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
• Are a U.S. citizen or national (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree on or after April 1, 2022.
New and returning WRP applicants must register and complete an application each year to continue to participate.
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The WRP helps students and recent graduates with disabilities:
• Apply for internships and permanent positions with federal employers
• Explore government career options
• Gain interviewing experience
• Receive resume writing support
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For additional registration information, contact Jennifer Montague at [email protected] or visit wrp.gov.

The heat is on, Spartans! This week we will experience some extreme heat and temperatures. Know how to protect yourself from the dangerous temps and find a cooling center on campus if you need it. Stay safe!

NOW OPEN!
Registration and Applications for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) are now open through October 15th.
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Who Can Apply?
Students and recent graduates can apply to WRP if they:
• Have a disability and are eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
• Are a U.S. citizen or national (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree on or after April 1, 2022.
New and returning WRP applicants must register and complete an application each year to continue to participate.
---
The WRP helps students and recent graduates with disabilities:
• Apply for internships and permanent positions with federal employers
• Explore government career options
• Gain interviewing experience
• Receive resume writing support
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For additional registration information, contact Jennifer Montague at [email protected] or visit wrp.gov.

Welcome back! Have a great first day of classes!

Join us on September 5th to learn about, and meet, members of Tower Guard, Council of Students with Disabilities (CSD) and RCPD BOND program and get excited for what's to come this semester! There's FREE pizza, too!

When: September 5, 2024
Time: 5:00 - 6:30pm
Where: Bessey Hall, Room 114

August 20th is National Air Travel Accessibility Day! Share your experiences with accessibility during air travel today and show your support for initiatives that make travelling more inclusive.
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For more information:
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilities
https://www.iata.org/en/programs/passenger/accessibility/

ONE WEEK AWAY!
Registration and Applications for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) open August 26th.
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Who Can Apply?
Students and recent graduates can apply to WRP if they:
• Have a disability and are eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
• Are a U.S. citizen or national (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree on or after April 1, 2022.
New and returning WRP applicants must register and complete an application each year to continue to participate.
---
The WRP helps students and recent graduates with disabilities:
• Apply for internships and permanent positions with federal employers
• Explore government career options
• Gain interviewing experience
• Receive resume writing support
---
For additional registration information, contact Jennifer Montague at [email protected] or visit wrp.gov.

Registration and Applications for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) opens in two weeks, on August 26th.
---
Who Can Apply?
Students and recent graduates can apply to WRP if they:
• Have a disability and are eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
• Are a U.S. citizen or national (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree on or after April 1, 2022.
New and returning WRP applicants must register and complete an application each year to continue to participate.
---
The WRP helps students and recent graduates with disabilities:
• Apply for internships and permanent positions with federal employers
• Explore government career options
• Gain interviewing experience
• Receive resume writing support
---
For additional registration information, contact Jennifer Montague at [email protected] or visit wrp.gov.

!!Mark Your Calendars!!
Registration and Applications for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) will open August 26th.
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Who Can Apply?
Students and recent graduates can apply to WRP if they:
• Have a disability and are eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
• Are a U.S. citizen or national (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree on or after April 1, 2022.
New and returning WRP applicants must register and complete an application each year to continue to participate.
---
The WRP helps students and recent graduates with disabilities:
• Apply for internships and permanent positions with federal employers
• Explore government career options
• Gain interviewing experience
• Receive resume writing support
---
For additional registration information, contact Jennifer Montague at [email protected] or visit wrp.gov.

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month. SMA is a genetic disease that affects the voluntary muscle systems. Take time this month to inform yourself about SMA and how you can provide support to the community
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For More Information
https://www.mda.org/disease/spinal-muscular-atrophy
http://curesma.pub30.convio.net/sma-awareness-month.html #:~:text=SMA%20(spinal%20muscular%20atrophy)%20is,cause%20of%20death%20for%20infants.

Introducing Patty Berne! She is a Japanese-Haitian queer disabled woman who advocates for marginalized communities. They are the Cofounder, Executive and Artistic Director of Sins Invalid.

Find out more about Patty and other Disabled Rights Advocates here : https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/news/ability-blog/disability-pride-month-highlight

July 26, 2024 marks the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA). The ADA was a monumental civil rights law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. However, the work did not stop there, disability rights advocates are still hard at work to further the civil and human rights of people with disabilities.
The image featured is of the National Council on Disability, who originally proposed and wrote the beginnings of the ADA. Although former President Bush signed the bill, it was disability advocates who wrote it and lobbied for it to be passed.
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For More information on the ADA:
https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/
https://adachronicles.org/stories-essays/who-really-wrote-the-ada/

In honor of Disability Pride Month the Lansing Mayor raised the Disability Pride Flag today during a small ceremony. To read more about the raising of the flag and Michigan's history with Disability Pride check out the WLNS article linked below!
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https://www.wlns.com/news/lansing-mayor-raises-disability-pride-flag-at-city-hall/

Introducing Mychaela Lovelace! She is a recent MSU Graduate with aplastic "anemia, which is a rare condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells." During her time at MSU she spoke at an event by Be the Match, a bone marrow registry group, on campus. She is continuing her work by entering the nursing field!
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To read more about Mychaela's Story:
https://www.fox47news.com/neighborhoods/msu-campus/msu-senior-shares-inspirational-journey-as-she-prepares-to-walk-the-graduation-stage
https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2022/student-view-donor-diversity-saves-lives

Introducing Alice Wong! She is a “disabled activist, writer, editor, and community organizer.” She founded the Disability Visibility Project and is currently the Director.

Find out more about Alice and other Disabled Rights Advocates here : https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/news/ability-blog/disability-pride-month-highlight

(Pride in Disability Series)

Join us September 20th for the Disability in Higher Ed Summit! It will take place in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center or you can join us virtually on Zoom! (This event is currently only for MSU Staff and Students)
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Register Here: https://civilrights.msu.edu/ada_coordinator/disability_summit.html
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Jay Dolmage is committed to disability rights in his scholarship, service, and teaching. Jay is the Founding Editor of the Canadian Journal of Disability Studies and the author of Disability Rhetoric; Academic Ableism: Disability and Higher
Education; and Disabled Upon Arrival: Eugenics, Immigration, and the Construction of Race and Disability.
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TOPICS:
Creating accessible digital documents
Hosting accessible events
Disability identity in higher education
Disability in the workplace and careers for
college graduates
Student and Employee Panels - Neurodiversity
and non-apparent disabilities
Faculty Panel - Doing it Right: Managing
accommodations
Resource Fair

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month! Cleft Lips/Palates and Craniofacial Anomalies are one of the most common birth defects, affecting nearly 1 in 600 babies every year.
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For more information:
https://weillcornell.org/news/national-cleft-and-craniofacial-awareness-month
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/cleft-lip-palate

July 15th is Developmental Disability Professionals Day! Take time today to thank the Qualified Developmental Disability Specialists (QDDSs) in your life and let them know how much you value their work.

A HUGE thank you to the Ability Access Specialists at the RCPD for all of their wonderful work maximizing ability and opportunity at Michigan State!
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https://ow.ly/q3IF50SxN81

Introducing Mia Mingus! She is a “writer, educator and trainer for transformative justice and disability justice.” Mia identifies as a queer physically disabled Korean transracial and transnational adoptee.

Find out more about Mia and other Disabled Rights Advocates here: https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/news/ability-blog/disability-pride-month-highlight

(Pride in Disability Series)

Introducing Imani Barbarin! She is a black woman with Cerebral Palsy who runs a TikTok account called Crutches and Spice. She is a disability rights and inclusion activist who uses her platforms to allow disabled people the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Find out more about Imani and other Disabled Rights Advocates here : https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/news/ability-blog/disability-pride-month-highlight

(Pride in Disability Series)

Have a safe and happy 4th of July, Spartans!

July is Disability Pride Month, where we honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community, and it also marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark legislation that broke down social barriers to inclusion. Join us as we acknowledge, value, and respect every kind of disability and the people who identify with them.

MSU recognizes October as Disability Pride month, check out the MSU Disability Pride Guide and look out for more Disability Pride in October!
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Learn more: https://www.ada.gov/
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MSU Disability Pride Guide: https://inclusion.msu.edu/campus-resources/disability-pride.html

June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Acceptance Month. PTSD, while not always, can be a response to a traumatic event. If any of you feel like you are experiencing PTSD symptoms please reach out to the mental health resources on campus which can be found at: msu.edu/emergency/resources
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For More Information on PTSD:
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

Introducing Eli Clare! He is a white, disabled, genderqueer author and activist. He identifies as a trans man and has cerebral palsy.

Find out more about Leah and other LGBTQ and Disabled Identifying people here https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/news/ability-blog/highlighting-people-intersection-disability-and-lgbtq-community

(The Intersection Series Part 4 of 4)

Today is World Vitiligo Day! About 70 million people worldwide have Vitiligo, it is an autoimmune disease that is commonly known to affect skin pigmentation.
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For more information: https://vrfoundation.org/news_items/world-vitiligo-day-a-history

DeafBlind Awareness Week raises awareness about individuals who have combined hearing and vision loss and is celebrated the last week of June each year, coinciding with Helen Keller's birthday (DOB June 27, 1880). There are approximately 2.4 million people in the United States living with deafblindness. Learn more here: https://www.helenkeller.org/

Today we celebrate Beaumont Tower's 95th birthday!
Est. June 22, 1929 Beaumont and its 49 bells is a proud symbol of our beautiful campus.

Congratulations to Virginia (Ginger) Martz on her retirement! Ginger has served RCPD for 31 years in various roles, her most recent as Senior Ability Access Specialist for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Mobility disabilities. Her dedication, passion, advocacy, and leadership has served so many Spartans over the years. RCPD is grateful for Ginger's service, and we wish her the best for a happy retirement!