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From Monday, March 10, to Friday, March 14, 2025, the Community Engagement and Service at the Hub for Spiritual Life will host Disability Awareness Week鈥攁n event organized and led by students to foster disability pride, educate the campus community on disability-related issues, and encourage meaningful actions for students with disabilities that go beyond the week鈥檚 activities. This year鈥檚 theme, Celebrating Creative Minds, aims to provide creative spaces that advocate for disability justice while also celebrating the creativity and resilience of the disability community.

"This event serves as an opportunity to amplify the voices of Pepperdine's disabled community and encourage all members to foster a more inclusive and accessible campus," says Micaela Shackleford, a Seaver College student and event organizer. "Everyone has a role in advocating for themselves and others while staying mindful of the challenges faced by the community."

The Pepperdine community is invited to participate in the following Disability Awareness Week events:

Informational Tabling with Trivia

Monday, March 10, to Friday, March 14 | 10 AM to 2 PM | Lower Mullin Town Square

Stop by the information table to learn more about disability and access and enjoy a free awareness cookie. These cookies鈥� colors will correspond with a particular medical condition, and each cookie will come with an informational handout. The awareness cookies, provided by Jack's Allergen Friendly Bakery, are gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and free of the top six allergens, including nuts, grains, dairy, eggs, and soy. Attendees can also pick up informational cards, register for a disability-related book giveaway, and play trivia games to win raffle prizes. 

Students can also explore examples of access items they can make with the 3D printer at the Genesis Lab from 11 AM to 4 PM. Contact lauren.haberstock@pepperdine.edu for more information.

Image Description Workshop with Chad Iwertz Duffy

Monday, March 10 | 4 to 5:30 PM | Weisman Museum

Chad Iwertz Duffy (鈥�08), assistant professor of English and director of Pepperdine鈥檚 , invites the community to participate in the work of image description, a tool that can increase accessibility and inclusivity by offering tips and definitions, and, using materials in collaboration with the Weisman Museum, can also build visual accessibility. This workshop encourages participants to incorporate the foundations of access and accessibility in their everyday lives.

Accommodation and Accessibility in the Workplace

Tuesday, March 11 | Noon to 2 PM | TAC 100 and on

This interactive discussion will address navigating job interviews, accommodation, and other workplace issues through the lens of disability. Led by Elizabeth Pode, assistant director of student engagement and success at the Graziadio Business School, this event will be useful to anyone in the career-planning and career-exploration process.

Lifeplot Workshop with Jasmine 鈥淛az鈥� Gray

Tuesday, March 11 | 4 to 6 PM | TAC 100 and on

The LIFEPLOT workshop is a story-construction and story-sharing workshop based on the entertainment-narratives and health-communication research of Jasmine 鈥淛az鈥� Gray, assistant professor of communication studies.

Out of My Mind Film Screening

Tuesday, March 11 | 6:30 to 9 PM | The Light House

Enjoy a viewing of the 2024 Disney film, Out of My Mind. In this film, Melody, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, narrates her life as she transitions from a special-needs classroom into a general-education classroom. Melody learns to subvert the ableism revealed by her teachers, her friends, and her community in order to advocate for herself and others.

Navigating Pepperdine with a Disability Panel

Wednesday, March 12 | 11:30 AM to 1 PM | HAWC 200 and on

Join us for a panel presentation from individuals within the disabled Pepperdine community discussing their experiences with accessibility, accommodation, and inclusion 麻豆社.

American Sign Language (ASL) Class

Wednesday, March 12 | 5:30 to 6:30 PM | HAWC 200 and on

Seaver College student Alyssa Paige will lead an introductory workshop that provides background and context on ASL, along with instructions on the ASL alphabet and basic vocabulary. 

Accessible Dance Class

Thursday, March 13 | 11 AM to Noon | Fireside Room and on

Participate in an accessible dance class led by Seaver College student Swan Gerlach. Attendees will partner with participants from Creative Steps, a local nonprofit organization that hosts programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Discussing Disabilities within Faith Communities

Thursday, March 13 | 12:30 to 2 PM | TAC 100 and on

Moderated by Seaver College student Thalia Markowski, Discussing Disability within Faith Communities will be a panel discussion of faculty, students, and community members working to examine accessible and inclusive faith-based ministries. The topics discussed will include navigating intersectionality, ableism, exploitation, and accessibility in the context of faith communities.

Self-Advocacy Workshop with Elizabeth Pode

Thursday, March 13 | 6 to 8 PM | CAC 121 and on

Elizabeth Pode will lead an interactive workshop about ways community members can practice self-advocacy through collaborative community formation, strategic planning, and collective action. 

Neurodiversity Presentation

Friday, March 14 | 6 to 7 PM | BPC 189 and on

Cohosted by the Pepperdine Neurodiversity Association, Seaver College student Thalia Markowski will share helpful information about neurodiversity鈥攖he many differences in the ways people perceive, experience, and interact with the world around them. Topics will include what it means to be neurodivergent, using person-first versus identity-first language, the value of using neurologically inclusive language, and how to create sensory-safe spaces. 

For more information about Disability Awareness Week events, follow Community Engagement and Service on Instagram at @pepperdineserves or email Micaela Shackleford.