Smith Marks Disabilities Awareness Week--and Tenth Anniversary of ADA--with Panel Discussion

Although ten years has passed since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was voted into law, women with disabilities still face myriad challenges to their independence, dignity and sense of self-worth.

On Monday, July 24, the Smith College School for Social Work (SCSSW) will host a panel discussion on women and disabilities. Carol Cohen and Joyce White, faculty members at Gallaudet University, along with Laura Rauscher, disability services director at Smith College, will discuss ways in which social work clinicians can aid in empowering women with disabilities. In addition, they will offer suggestions on developing and maintaining a culturally sensitive therapeutic relationship with disabled clients.

The lecture--which is free, open to the public and wheelchair-accessible--will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Stoddard Hall Auditorium. It is part of SCSSW's summer lecture series and is co-sponsored by the Hazel Augustine Series.

The final event in the SCSSW summer lecture series will take place on August 7 and will address religious traditions and end-of-life care. For more information about the series or to learn how to obtain continuing education credits for attending the lectures, call (413) 585-7950, e-mail sswpce@ais.smith.edu or visit the SCSSW web site at www.smith.edu/ssw/summerlec.htm.

July 17, 2000