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Allies for Inclusion: the Abilities Exhibit, sponsored by the Network for Disability Awareness

Gain new perspective of what it means to have a disability. Experience the exhibit and help break the stigma! The Ability Exhibit seeks to answer questions surrounding interacting with individuals with disabilities.

  • date: 03/01/17 - 03/02/17
  • time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • location: Osborne Family Gallery, Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library • maps
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Photo courtesy of Allies for Inclusion, St. Louis University

From the Allies for Inclusion Website:

Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit© is a traveling exhibit designed to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities through respect for others, comfort during interactions, and awareness of disability issues. Using a multi-media approach to demonstrate respect, comfort and awareness, the exhibit offers suggestions for becoming disability allies and educators:

Person-First Language promotes the person first, then the disability. Using person-first language allows us to show respect and avoid labels.

Quiz Yourself: "Ability IQ" Through computer quizzes, test your knowledge about disability facts, celebrities with disabilities, disability law, and appropriate communication techniques. You will be surprised how much you already know and what you might learn.

Who Do You Know with Disabilities? Indicate if you know someone with a disability, and notice how many people - including you - already are disability allies! Categories include Visual (blind, low vision), Hearing (deaf, hard of hearing), Mobility, Psychological, Medical, and Learning disabilities.

"Space Rope" Hold one end of the Space Rope and experience the communication distances used by people who are blind and have low vision. Knots on the Space Rope indicate the distance between two people. Used in pairs, the Space Rope helps simulate the appropriate distance between two individuals for public or personal space.

Learning Disabilities are "silent" or "hidden" disabilities that affect millions of people, but often are overlooked. See facts and statistics about learning disabilities in the United States.

Universal Design (UD) is "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design" (Center for Universal Design, 1997).

  • Universal Instructional Design (UID) relates to curriculum and academic settings and provides welcoming educational environments and equal access for everyone.
  • Universal Design in Student Development (UDSD) is universal design in student services and student development. An informational video and several publications provide the "how to" specifics for utilizing UD, UID, and UDSD.

The Disability Movement in the United States is illustrated through a sample of historical photographs. A pivotal moment in the movement was the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the most comprehensive legislation concerning the civil rights of persons with disabilities. Learn more about disability legislation in the "ADA 20th Anniversary" video.