Employees with Disabilities Association
Our Mission:
The Old Dominion University Employees with Disabilities Association (EWDA) fosters a community of education, advocacy, and connectedness among faculty and staff, regardless of disability status, to address shared challenges, promote inclusivity, and enhance accessibility across the university.
Our Vision:
The Employees with Disabilities Association (EWDA) was established in January 2019 to support the needs and interests of employees with disabilities or different abilities at Old Dominion University. The Association shall promote the concerns of the University's employees with disabilities and serve as a voice for this constituency. EWDA aims to create a campus culture where all employees and students with disabilities thrive in an equitable, supportive, and accessible environment, enriched by shared learning and collaboration.
Employees with Disabilities Association
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Our Leadership
President
Dr. Brett Cook-Snell, Ph.D
Vice-President
Emily Harmon
Secretary
Dr. Akos Delneky, Ph.D
Events & Education Chair
Ericka Bey-Harrsion
Advocacy & Accessibility Chair
Vacant
Mentoring Chair
Kristin Osborne
Objectives of EWDA
- Advocacy and Accessibility: Collaborate with HR and Facilities Management to address workplace accessibility concerns and improve resources for employees with disabilities.
- Events and Education: Organize workshops, panels, and social events that raise awareness and educate the campus community on disability-related topics.
- Mentoring Program: Develop and manage a mentoring program where EWDA members support and guide students with disabilities, fostering their academic success, progression to graduation, and preparation for a confident and successful career.
- Communications: Establish and maintain effective outreach, including a social media presence, newsletters, and other channels, to connect with current and prospective members.
- Membership Growth: Encourage participation from diverse faculty and staff members, emphasizing the group’s inclusivity and no-cost membership policy.
Committee Goals
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Conduct biannual reviews of campus accessibility in partnership with Facilities Management.
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Develop a feedback system for members to report workplace concerns.
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Advocate for inclusive policies and practices with HR and university leadership.
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Host at least two events per semester, including workshops, panels, and networking opportunities.
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Collaborate with external organizations or guest speakers to bring diverse perspectives to campus events.
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Pair faculty/staff mentors with students each semester.
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Provide training sessions for mentors to ensure effective and supportive relationships.
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Evaluate the mentoring program annually to assess impact and areas for improvement.
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Maintain an active social media presence with weekly updates and engagement.
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Publish a newsletter once per semester highlighting member achievements, upcoming events, and resources.
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Design and distribute promotional materials to increase awareness of EWDA.
Upcoming Meetings
Our next Members meeting of 2025 will take place on Tuesday, April 22 12:30 - 1:30 PM in-person at the Perry Library Learning Commons room 1310
as well as on Zoom (Meeting ID: 964 6125 1989)
In this meeting, we will hold elections for the Advocacy & Accessibility Chair as well as hear from a guest speaker.