Accessibility is for everyone!

That is the message a campus committee is putting forth with the Accessibility Technology and Resources Faire, set for Oct. 5.

This is the first of two UC Davis accessibility events in October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, as designated by the federal government.

UC Davis plans to continue the celebration Oct. 25 with the grand opening of the new Center for Accessible Technologies. Read more about this in a future edition of Dateline.

“We are demonstrating how creating an environment that is accessible to individuals with disabilities will benefit every member of our community,” said Pete Siegel, vice provost for Information and Educational Technology.

The Accessibility Technology and Resources Faire will start things off, by presenting some of the latest developments in assistive technologies (software and equipment), and information about university resources and services. David Ritz, a counselor in Disability Management Services, said a variety of campus units as well as outside vendors will participate.

Everyone in the campus community is invited to the fair, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cabernet Room, upstairs at the Silo. Organizers said light refreshments will be served.

Jeanne Wilson, director of the Student Disabilities Center, said, “We are showing how assistive technologies help promote innovation in everything we do, including teaching and learning.”

Tim Leamy, computer lab manager for IET, said fair visitors can learn about computer applications that convert text to audio, so that you can listen as you read or while you travel; for voice recognition that lets you dictate your papers to your computer rather than type them; for using voice commands to control your computer; and simple steps you can take to ensure your pdfs and other documents are accessible.

The fair is being sponsored by Information and Educational Technology, the Disability Issues Administrative Advisory Committee, the E-Access Committee, the Office of Campus Community Relations, Staff Assembly, the Student Disability Center and Disability Management Services.