Making UT Austin Inclusive, Accessible and Welcoming
September 2023 D&A Newsletter
September, 2023
Content Overview:
· Requesting Accommodation Letters in the D&A Student Portal
· Get Connected at the Disability Resource Fair
· Disability Cultural Center September Events
Welcome Back Longhorns!
We’re one week into classes for the fall 2023 semester! You should have received an email from your Access Coordinator the week of August 7th with important instructions about using your accommodations for fall. Be sure to read through it carefully so you can follow any instructions specific to your accommodations.
Process for Requesting Accommodation Letters
To request your Accommodation Letters, you no longer need to submit an “Accommodation Letter Request Form” to D&A. Instead, in the D&A Student Portal, you will need to request your accommodations letters in the Accommodation Letter module. This process allows you to get immediate access to your accommodation letters once requested. Your instructors will still receive notification of your letters, and you are still required to discuss accommodations with your instructors.
Disability and Access, the Disability Cultural Center, and the Disability Advocacy Student Coalition are excited to be co-hosting the Disability Resource Fair. This event will give students the opportunity to connect with disability-related campus resources, from support services to student organizations. All campus members are welcome!
· Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 from 12:30PM-2:30PM
· Location: Student Services Building, 100 West Dean Keeton Street, Glenn Maloney Student Assembly Room (G1.310)
The Disability Cultural Center (DCC) is a unit within DDCE that focuses on developing programming and building community around disabled community and identity. Check out the DCC website for upcoming events and opportunities.
Crip Conversations: Disability Culture & Disability Studies series
Join Dr. Nick Winges-Yanez from the Texas Center for Disability Studies for a thoughtful discussion on the Film “Sins Invalid: An Unshamed Claim to Beauty in the Face of Invisibility.”
Sins Invalid witnesses a performance project that incubates and celebrates artists with disabilities, centralizing artists of color and queer and gender-variant artists. Since 2006, its performances have explored themes of sexuality, beauty, and the disabled body, impacting thousands through live performance. Sins Invalid is as an entryway into the absurdly taboo topic of sexuality and disability, manifesting a new paradigm of disability justice.
· Date/ Time: Tuesday, September 5th, 12:45-1:45pm
The Disability Cultural Center and Longhorn TIES will be hosting monthly Students on the Spectrum social activities and discussion nights. This group provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students who identify as autistic to connect, play games, and share experiences and resources with one another. No proof of diagnosis is required. Pizza will be provided; please RSVP to help with planning.
· Date/ Time: Wednesday, September 6th, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
· Location: SSB 3.200 (DDCE Commons)
Disabled and Neurodivergent Student Study Space / Body Doubling Space
Hosted by the Disability Cultural Center and Longhorn TIES Neurodiversity Support, these come-and-go study and “body doubling” spaces provide an opportunity for disabled students, neurodivergent students, and friends to be productive with community in the DDCE Commons (SSB 3.200). Stop by for snacks, company, and a protected opportunity to work on assignments, emailing, or other tasks on your to-do list.
· September Dates/ Times:
· Tuesday, September 12th, 2:00 – 4:00pm
· Wednesday, September 27th, 5:00 – 7:00pm
· Location: SSB 3.200
Disability Discussions
Join the DCC in discussion around a variety of disability-related topics each week. Whether you want to learn from other disabled people or have experiences or resources you are willing to share, these Disability Discussions provide space to have conversations you may not be able to have anywhere else. Let’s harness the power and expertise of the UT Disability Community! Sign up for any/all session!
· September Dates/ Times:
· September 6th, 3-4pm: Navigating the UT Campus with a Disability
· September 13th, 3-4pm: Using Accommodations at UT
· September 20th, 3-4pm: Disclosing Your Disability: How, When, If
· September 27th, 3-4pm: Disability Documentation
· Location: SSB 3.200K/Zoom
Disability Culture Conversations
These monthly virtual meetups are designed to provide a space for students, faculty and staff to come together to learn about topics related to disabled identity and the disability community. See dates and topics below:
· Date/ Time: Thu, September 14, 12pm – 1pm: Accessibility at UT.
Join the DCC and DASC for a relaxed evening of building disability community, hanging out with friends and meeting new ones. Themes for each hangout vary from game nights, volunteer activities, arts and crafts and more; check social media for topics for specific nights.
· Date/ Time: Tuesday September 19th, 6:30-8pm
· Location: SSB 3.200
Disabled Advocates: Finding Community and Sustaining Self-Care
Disabled members of the UT community are invited to gather together to share experiences, problem solve, and engage in mutual support around advocacy with other disabled advocates. Whether you feel like you are constantly the “go to” person for accessibility because of your disability identity or you aren’t sure how to advocate for yourself in a certain situation, come find support and community within this group. RSVP to participate in this group conversation!
· Date/ Time: Wednesday, September 20th, 12:00 – 1:00pm
· Location: SSB 3.200k/Zoom
D&A encourages you to reach out to your assigned Access Coordinator with any questions and concerns throughout the semester! You can find your Access Coordinator’s contact information in the second to last paragraph of your Accommodation Letter. If you do not know who your Access Coordinator is, or do not currently have an assigned Access Coordinator, please reach out to D&A using the contact information below:
