Disability Awareness Day, which brings awareness and sensitivity to OU students, faculty and staff about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, is Tuesday, March 26. Events are from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Oakland Center Heritage Room and Gold Rooms.

Participants will have an opportunity, through hands-on simulations, to experience the challenges faced by people with hearing, speech, vision and physical impairments as well as those with learning disabilities. Many OU offices also will be represented to share with participants the services they provide to people with disabilities.

Some of the hands-on opportunities include seeing what a person with dyslexia sees when they attempt to read a document, how a wheelchair user needs to manipulate to achieve mobility and how a person’s vision is impaired with cataracts.

The goal of the program is to provide community awareness and appreciation for diversity and to promote understanding of the importance of assistance technology, adaptive equipment, architectural design and academic accommodations.

The program, which has been delivered throughout Oakland County in many K-12 school districts, is being provided with support from Oakland Schools. This is the first time it is being conducted at the university level.

The event is sponsored by the Diversity and Compliance Office, Disability Support Services and the Center for Student Activities.