Clemson University will host a slate of events this October with the theme of “Celebrating All Abilities” for this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to recognize the abilities of all students, staff and faculty.
NDEAM is an annual campaign in October that aims to raise awareness about employment issues faced by individuals with disabilities while celebrating their diverse contributions to the American workforce.
Events are open for everyone to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of persons with disabilities, raise awareness of disability-related topics, and equip the campus community with knowledge and strategies of how best to continue supporting individuals with disabilities. The Division of Civil and Individual Rights, the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, the Office of University Compliance and Ethics, Clemson Computing and Information Technology and Student Accessibility Services have partnered to host several events in October.
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A flyer advertising Adam Gortlitsky’s talk. Adam Gortlisky stands with leg, torso and and braces wearing a shirt reading “I GOT LEGS.” Heading reads “Celebrating All Abilities” next to a Clemson wordmark. Text reads: ADAM “LEGS” GORLITSKY. “I GOT LEGS: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Exoskeleton.” Join us as Adam Gorlitsky, athlete, advocate, and founder of LEGS Medical, debuts a NEW manual exoskeleton while sharing his resilience story, achievements, and his partnership with Clemson University Biomedical Engineering to advance innovation and expand access to adaptive technology. Monday, October 20th, Watt Center Auditorium, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. In partnership with: Student Accessibility Services, Division of Civil and Individual Rights, Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, University Compliance and Ethics, Computing and Information Technology. Everyone is welcome. For more information or to request accessibility services, contact Priscilla Harrison priscih@clemson.edu.
Adam Gorlitsky will deliver this year’s keynote address, where he will debut a new manual exoskeleton in partnership with Clemson University Biomedical Engineering. Gorlitsky, para-athlete, advocate, and founder of LEGS Medical, will debut a new manual exoskeleton while sharing his resilience story, achievements, and partnership with Biomedical Engineering to advance innovation and expand access to adaptive technology. Gorlitsky will speak on Monday, October 20, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Watt Family Innovation Center auditorium. A Zoom link will be available upon registration.
Ten virtual “Let’s Break to Educate” events will feature faculty and staff presentations on multiple disability awareness topics ranging from digital accessibility and comprehensive instructional practices to Deaf culture, neurodiversity, and effective approaches to accommodation.
“Let’s Break to Educate: Celebrating All Abilities” Virtual Events
In addition to Adam Gorlitsky’s talk, one-hour “Let’s Break to Educate” sessions will cover a wide range of disability and accessibility topics. NDEAM events this month include:
- October 6, 12-1 p.m.: Authoring Like a Pro – Tips and Tricks for MSWord by Walker Massey, CCIT Digital Accessibility Specialist
- October 9, 1-2 p.m.: Clemson Facilities: Campus Access 2025 by Channon Chambers, Planning Design and Construction Building Official
- October 14, 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Celebrating All Abilities Event: Tips for Providing More Accessible Instructions/Directions by Michelle Tuten, Accessibility Coordinator
- October 15, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: CheckIT for Access: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How Clemson Integrates Accessibility in the Software Review Process by Dan Lewis, Director of Digital Accessibility, Bobby Clark, Director of Vendor Management, IT Solutions, and Dustin Atkins, Senior Director, IT Strategic Operations
- October 16, 2-3 p.m.: Introduction to Deaf Culture by Bo Clements, Section Head, Senior Lecturer of American Sign Language
- October 20, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Adam LEGS Gorlitsky in “I GOT LEGS: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Exoskeleton”
- October 21, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Go for Meaning: The Interpreting Process by Dan Devor, University Lead ASL Interpreter
- October 22, 12-1 p.m.: Clemson Voices: Neurodivergent Staff and Instructors by Tom Beeson, Spectrum Program Manager
- October 23, 12-1 p.m.: How to Have Productive Accommodation Conversations by Tessa Byer, University Ombuds
- October 29, 2-3 p.m.: Expanding Your World: Anyone Can Study Abroad by Margaret Camp, Director of Student Accessibility Services, Allison Chipman, Program Operations Coordinator, and Rachel Roback, Access Coordinator in Student Accessibility Services
- October 30, 2-3 p.m.: Access for All in Real-Time All the Time by Dan Hofmann, Director of Parking and Transportation Services
Each event page contains a webinar registration link. A PDF flyer of events is also available. To request accessibility services, contact Priscilla Harrison priscih@clemson.edu. The full schedule of NDEAM events is also available using the NDEAM tag on the Clemson University Calendar of Events.
