Disability Independence Day 2021

National Disability Independence Day

Australian women's wheelchair basketballer Amanda Carter challenges for the ball in a game against the USA at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. Source: Australian Paralympic Committee/Sport The Library

This month, we celebrate “National Disability Independence Day” which commemorates the signing of the “Americans with Disabilities Act” (ADA) on July 26th, 1990. The ADA provides protection for people with disabilities in their “fight” to acquire equitable access to our nation’s institutions. The following members of the MSU community have made significant contributions to this cause.

 


Diversity Champion

Diversity Champion
Faculty/Staff
Ms. Michele Brock

Ms. Michele Brock is the School of Social Work's Director of Community Programs at MSU. She is a disability justice advocate, whose work and research on health disabilities advances our understanding of the plight of people living with disabilities.

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Diversity Torch

Diversity Torch
Student
Katie Pezzetti

Katie Pezzetti an MSU junior majoring in Human Resources and Labor Relations in the College of Social Science. As an intern with the Michigan Employment Clinic, she worked to support jobseekers with disabilities in creating resumes, preparing for interviews, and finding employment. She also helped create an employer pledge in which employers commit to hiring people with disabilities.

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Diversity Spotlight

Diversity Spotlight
Alumni
Anthony Ianni

Anthony Ianni is an MSU Sociology Alumnus and an advocate for people with autism. A former award-winning basketball player, and change agent, Ianni is a motivational speaker who works with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and Autism Alliance of Michigan to provide hope and inspiration to people in the autism community.

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Additional Resources