Achieving Effective Outreach and Systemic Change Through Strategic Collaborations

Susan A. Aase, J.D., M.S.Ed.University of Minnesota Donna Johnson, M.A., M.S.University of Minnesota

Amanda KrausUniversity of Arizona

Meghan SooyUniversity of Arizona

July 13th 2012 AHEAD Conference New Orleans, LA

Agenda Introductions: Who we are and what we do

Framing disability on your campus

Mission statements and purposeful engagement

Campus-wide outreach as a mechanism for furthering our work

Examples of campus outreach opportunities

Creating and implementing an effective action plan

Group Discussion and wrap-up

AHEAD 2012

Objectives Reinforce how the sociopolitical

concept of disability informs outreach.

Learn about the importance of a mission statement as a rationale for outreach.

Discover ways to develop partnerships and collaborations.

Learn about a variety of campus-wide outreach activities.

Apply concepts to your practice.

AHEAD 2012

(Re)framing Disability on Your

Campus Disability is a neutral

characteristic that contributes to the diversity of the campus community.

Rather than focusing on an individual’s impairment, shift your focus to barriers in the environment that exclude and disable.

AHEAD 2012

Outreach as a Mechanism for Furthering Our Work

How is outreach defined on your campus?

Reflect on your office mission statement. How do outreach opportunities further this mission?

AHEAD 2012

Mission Statement

Defines our role and informs our outreach work

University of Minnesota’s mission statement experience

AHEAD 2012

Advancing –because we believe that word incorporates the ideas of movement, innovation and forward thinking. 

Access – because we believe that access is at the core of our work.

Everyone – because we believe it is an inclusive word that emphasizes the importance of each individual (students, employees, and those of us who work for Disability Services).

AHEAD 2012U of MN DS Mission Statement: Advancing Access for Everyone

Examples of Outreach

Faculty/Curricular Outreach Proactive efforts versus a retroactive curricular

band-aid

Infusing elements of disability studies across curricula

AHEAD 2012

Examples of Outreach Continued:

Events Purposeful engagement

on both a small and large scale

Marketing and Messaging Promotes our mission

and reflects our values

AHEAD 2012

Examples of Outreach-U of AFaculty/Curricular Outreach

Outreach with faculty in large venue classes

Increasing disability visibility in College of Medicine

Disability Studies Collaborative

Using Testing Center data to identity faculty with whom to partner

AHEAD 2012

Examples of Outreach-U of MN

Faculty/Curricular Outreach Joint grant with Medical School Universal Design Initiative Center for Teaching and

Learning Faculty Advisory Committee Disability Studies Graduate

MInor

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Examples of Outreach-U of A

Events Wildcat Welcome Orientation activities Finding Community Student Services fee

project Disability Studies events

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Examples of Outreach-U of MN

Events Silent Shout Mental Health Awareness Day Social Justice Film Festival Disability Studies Symposium Advancing Access Awards

AHEAD 2012

Examples of Outreach U of A

Marketing and Messaging Student Affairs Marketing

team DRC website and Facebook University website and

communication

AHEAD 2012

Examples of Outreach-U of MNMarketing and Messaging

Faces Campaign Videos Websites Brochures: Compelling

Facts Card Displays Give-Aways Newsletters Reports

AHEAD 2012

Creating and Implementing an Action Plan: Pair & Share

With whom would like to collaborate and why? Immediate? Target?

What are your next steps for partnering with these individuals and/or groups?

AHEAD 2012

Discussion and Wrap-up

Large group share: Ideas and themes to take with you

Final thoughts and session evaluations

AHEAD 2012