The University of Vermont is once again hosting Deaf and Disability Awareness Month. Now in its seventh year, Deaf and Disability Awareness month offers a series of workshops, speakers and activities aimed at heightening awareness and increasing knowledge of deafness and disabilities in both the University and the broader Burlington community. This program supports the University’s commitment and policy of equal opportunity, access and diversity. Events are free and open to the public. Students, faculty and staff are especially encouraged to attend these events. Come join a popular kick-off rally at noon on Oct. 1 on the Bailey/Howe Library steps where free hot dogs/veggie dogs are served. Month long events will feature topics such as basic American Sign Language, depression on college campuses, autism, learning disorders, epilepsy, visual impairments, veterans with disabilities, and muscular dystrophy, among many others.The Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity sponsors this event with the support of several other campus organizations and the Deaf and Disability Awareness Committee.October 1, Wednesday, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., steps of Bailey/Howe Library :Deaf and Disability Awareness Month Kick-off Rally. Students, faculty, staff, and community members with differing abilities join together to celebrate, speak-out, and highlight the events offered and issues raised during Deaf & Disability Awareness Month. Join us and enjoy FREE Hot dogs/Veggie dogs during this popular event. October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Wednesdays, 10:00 to 12:00 p.m., D107 Living/Learning.:Basic American Sign Language taugt by Lynn Bearman. This five-week course is designed to teach useful words and phrases that will assist hearing people in communicating with members of the Deaf community and will also provide participants an overview of Deaf culture. Participants will learn basic ASL vocabulary, rules of grammar, manual alphabet/numbers, and visual/gesture communication through repetition, role-play activities, games, finger spelling, and media. Space is limited.October 7, Tuesday, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Memorial Lounge, Waterman:Trends in the ADA – Tom Mercurio. (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities when they seek employment and while they are working. Thomas Mercurio of UVM’s General Counsel’s Office, will provide an overview of the ADA, review recent legal developments relating to the ADA, and answer questions on specific concerns. If you are a University of Vermont supervisor or manager wanting to learn about the ADA and your responsibilities toward your staff and faculty members, this workshop has been designed with your questions in mind. October 8, Wednesday, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Memorial Lounge, Waterman.:Body, Remember: Identity in Community.Acclaimed author of several books of prose and poetry, Kenny Fries addresses the experience of having multiple identities taking us through his own story as a Jewish man, a disability activist, a gay man, and a writer. Fries’ work “will forever change the way its readers think about persons with disabilities” says the San Diego Reader. Join us for a reading, Q & A, and book signing. October 9, Thursday, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., Lafayette, 108:Film – Getting There: A Look at the Early Mobility Skills of Four Young Blind Children. Getting There captures on video the movement patterns of four blind children whose ages range from nine months to five years. The video documents developmental growth over time, illustrates typical motor progression, and provides examples of successful teaching strategies. A representative from the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired will facilitate a discussion following the film.October 13, Monday, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., John Dewey Lounge, Old Mill: Veterans and Disability – Will Miller. At virtually the same moment that George W. Bush sent United States troops to an uncertain fate in a war on Iraq, he submitted a budget proposal to Congress that slashed benefits to veterans. Join us to hear Will Miller of UVM’s Philosophy Department, himself a veteran, discuss the realities of veterans with disabilities.