Search Results for: 2024

• Check-in & refreshments: AW ground floor & AW sky bridge (top floor)
  • 9:30 am – 10:15 am
• Welcome: AW sky bridge
  • 10:15 am – 10:30 am
• Workshop Session A – Discovery: Multiple Rooms
  • 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
• Lunch: AW sky bridge
  • 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm
• Workshop Session B – Opportunities: Multiple Rooms
  • 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
• Workshop Session C – Project Development: Multiple Rooms
  • 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
• Day 1 Closing Session D – Sharing Out
  • 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm

• Morning refreshments: AW sky bridge (top floor)
  • 9:30 am – 10:00 am
• Morning Panel and Presentation Sessions
  • 10:00 am – 11:15 am
    • Session A1: Room 412
       Employment, Volunteering, and Career Success
    • Session A2: Room 405
      Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence
    • Session A3: Room 403
      Complexity of Disability Identity
  • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
    • Session B1: Room 412
      Leadership and Business
    • Session B2: Room 405
      Workshop: Letters I Wish I Could Send
    • Session B3: Room 403
      Advising and Student Advocacy
• Lunch: AW sky bridge & AW 408
  • 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
• Afternoon Panel and Presentation Sessions
  • 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
    • Session C1: Room 412
      Support Staff and Faculty Discussion Session
    • Session C2: Room 405
      Disability Analysis and Disability Justice
    • Session C3: Room 403
      Student Experience Discussion Session
  • 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
    • Session D1: Room
      • Land, Space, and Place
    • Session D2: Room 405
      • Equitable Education Experience
    • Session D3: Room 403
      Disability and the Arts
  • 4:00 – 5:00 pm
    • Session E1: Room 412
      Building Systems of Support
    • Session E2: Room 405
      Critical Disability Studies Discussion Session
    • Session E3: Room 403
      Community Organizing

Session A1: Employment, Volunteering, and Career Success

This panel focuses on the importance of accessible and fulfilling opportunities for work and volunteer opportunities. 

Session A2: Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence

This panel explores aspects of neurodivergence both at the broad level of cultural identity and at the specific level of student support and access.

Session A3: Complexity of Disability Identity

This panel explores the complexities of disability experience, especially connections to other aspects of identity such as age and sexuality.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Session B1: Leadership and Business

This panel explores the connections between disability experience and entrepreneurship and leadership in business. Topics include ADEI, digital equality, and community building.

Session B2: Workshop: Letters I Wish I Could Send

Session B3: Advising and Student Advocacy

This panel explores the importance of systems of support for disabled students at Western. It focuses on areas of advising, physical access, and peer support.

12:30 – 1:30 pm – Lunch Break

1:30 – 2:45 pm

Session C1: Support Staff and Faculty Discussion Session

This is an un-scripted roundtable conversation for as many faculty and staff who are interested in participating. Topics will include supporting disabled students and experiences as disabled members of campus.

Session C2: Disability Analysis and Disability Justice

This panel examines disability topics through the lens of cultural critique and political engagement. Topics include colonization, weaponization, and intersectionality.

Session C3: Student Experience Discussion Session

This is an un-scripted roundtable conversation for any students interested in participating. Topics will include student experiences, accessibility issues, and disability culture.

3:00 – 3:45 pm 

Session D1: Land, Space, and Place

This panel explores the importance of access to outdoor spaces and recreation as the basis for equitable community.

Session D2: Equitable Education Experience

This panel focuses on access in educational settings, especially in higher education. Topics include student supports and disabled student experience.

Session D3: Disability and the Arts

This panel explores disability through the lens of art and theater. Topics will include the connection between disability identity and artistic production and the importance of artistic expression for disability politics and identity.

4:00 – 5:00 pm

Session E1: Building Systems of Support

This panel focuses on effective and equitable ways to support disabled people in accessing resources, especially in times of life transition.

Session E2: Critical Disability Studies Discussion Session

This is an un-scripted roundtable conversation for anyone interested in the academic field of critical disability studies. Topics will include teaching disability studies, current research projects, and courses

Session E3: Community Organizing

This panel focuses on disability cultural work, including building disability-positive and accessible communities and events. 

This page contains useful links participants, including suggestions for getting around by bus and car, as well as local information and suggested accommodations.

• • Parking, Taxi, and Rideshare Information
  • Local Public Transit and Walking to the UnConference (opens in new page)
  • Hotel Accommodations for out-of-town visitors
  • Wi-Fi and Internet access
  • Building Maps
  • Other Local and on-campus events and Resources

Parking, Taxi and Rideshare information

Drivers should use the south end of Parking Lot 19G as a drop off destination.  (GPS coordinates and Google maps link: 48.732392, -122.487142)

Parking on campus is FREE due to WWU Fall Family Weekend.  You may find close-proximity and accessible parking for the UnConference in lot 19G, which is directly across from the UnConference Academic West building.  Signs will be posted on West College Way, Wade King service road, Highland Drive, and 21st Street to direct vehicles.

Parking map for the UnConference. Click to open a larger version of the map, or download a PDF of the map here.

Driving Directions

Hotel Accommodations for out-of-town visitors

Hotel recommendations:

If you are flying in via SeaTac (SEA), one option is the Four Points Sheraton (www.fourpointsbellingham.com), which has a WWU discount rate and Airporter Shuttle service to and from SeaTac airport (www.airporter.com/shuttle). This hotel is adjacent to a Fred Meyer market and pharmacy, across the street from a Whole Foods Market, and next to a bus line, stop ID 3294 (20 minute bus ride to campus is served every 30 minutes via route 197 Lincoln/WWU or 190 Downtown).

Note that if you are flying in via Bellingham (BLI), the hotel at the airport, Holiday Inn & Suites, does not offer area transportation or shuttle service.

Full list of lodging recommendations:

For a full table of accommodations near WWU categorized by price range, with phone numbers, distance from campus, and whether a WWU discount is offered, visit the Admissions website.

Building Maps

Click on the thumbnails below to open tentative floor maps for the 2022 UnConference.  We expect our room plan for the 2024 UnConference to be similar. Click here to open floor-by-floor maps of AW as a downloadable pdf instead.

AW map: Ground/2nd floor: Oct 18 Keynote, and event check-in desk

AW Map: Middle / 3rd floor (Day 1 only)

AW map: Top/4th Floor: Day 1 & 2, and all meals

Wifi and Internet Access

Guest Wireless Access Networks

Use the open wireless network WWUwireless-Guest to access web if you are a non-student.

Use the secured wireless network eduroam if you are a University students from another institution.  Your university .edu login credentials will allow you to access this network.

Learn more at http://atus.wwu.edu and click on the icon for Wireless & Networking.   The direct link is here: https://atus.wwu.edu/kb/connecting-westerns-wireless-network

Concurrent Local and On-Campus Events and Places to Explore

You are also invited to check out the many local shops and restaurants downtown.  In particular, there are many places to explore along Railroad avenue, the street directly next to the bus station.  Find more information on bus schedules throughout Bellingham here.  Railroad Avenue has free angle-in street parking after 6pm on Saturday, and all day Sunday.

What is also happening at WWU this weekend?

This weekend is also Fall Family Weekend at WWU. During the day, there will be tours and exhibits throughout campus.
For more information, visit foundation.wwu.edu/event/fall-family-weekend

Places to check out: Saturday Farmer’s Market (downtown)

The Bellingham Farmer’s Market  (www.bellinghamfarmers.org/) at Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Avenue, is an open-air community market with over a hundred vendors selling fresh food, produce, handmade goods, and more.  Hours are 10 am – 3 pm.  Some vendor stations may be in non-covered locations.

Places to check out: Ruckus room (downtown)

The Ruckus Room is on Railroad Avenue, just across the street from the Downtown Bellingham bus station.  The location has snacks and concessions, and classic arcade games, skee-ball, pinball, and prizes.

Ruckus Room: www.ruckusbham.com

Bellingham-area resources for accessibility needs

Below are some local resources that UnConference attendees can use if their service animals need care, their assistive technology needs repair or maintenance, or they need to connect with someone local for any other reason.

• Bellevue Healthcare Whatcom County: www.bellevuehealthcare.com
• Numotion wheelchair and mobility equipment and repairs: www.numotion.com
• Hearing, Speech, & Deafness Center: www.hsdc.org
• MudBay animal supplies: www.mudbay.com

Quick Bus Info

The closes bus stops to the UnConference are the WWU “Bill McDonald Pkwy at Rec Center” stops on Bill McDonald Pkwy at the South end of campus. Full bus transit information to bus stop ID 8181 (from downtown), or bus stop ID 3076 (toward downtown) is also available through by searching directions on Google Maps from this map location.

General WTA bus information

Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) buses are wheelchair accessible and can also accommodate single-seat two-wheeled bicycles secured to a front rack. Strollers and collapsible bicycles must be able to be folded to fit beneath or between the seats in order to be brought on board.  Access the full WTA website here.

If you are unable to ride the fixed-route buses due to a disability, paratransit service is also available through the WTA, but riders must apply in advance and make a reservation to schedule a trip beforehand.

Fare information

Bus fare is collected per ride segment and costs $1.00, or is discounted to $0.50 for seniors, veterans, and riders with disabilities with identification or reduced fare card.  An unlimited-ride local day pass can be purchased on board for $3.00 cash, or $6 for a Skagit-Whatcom day pass.  Exact change is needed for bus fares: Bus operators are not able to provide change.

Downtown Bellingham Bus Station

The Downtown Bellingham Bus Station at 205 E Magnolia St. (Bus Stop ID 2001) has a passenger lobby and public restrooms.  Saturday hours are for these facilities is from 8:30 am – 7:00 pm.  Sunday hours for the lobby are 9:30 am – 5:30 pm.  The bus platform also has an information kiosk.

The Downtown Station to WWU corridor is served by routes 14, 190, and 105 (both ways), as well as 196 and 107 (from downtown) and 197 and 108 (to downtown).  Frequency of service between Downtown and WWU is every 15 minutes between the hours of 8:30 am until 10:30 pm Saturdays or until 8:00 pm Sundays.  

For more information, a PDF of the full WTA system transit guide, including paratransit and flex service maps, can be found here: http://www.ridewta.com/Documents/wta-transit-guide.pdf or call (360) 676-7433 to request transit information in alternate accessible formats, such as large print.

Bus Routes Heading to WWU from Downtown

Buses leave for WWU from the Bellingham bus station Bay 5, marked in blue at the South end of the terminal, as well as the adjacent Bay 4. Any bus leaving from Bay 5 or 4 will proceed directly to WWU. Buses depart every 15 minutes. Expect bus transit times of 7 to 10 minutes. Disembark at the WWU “Bill McDonald Pkwy at Rec Center” stops on Bill McDonald Pkwy at the South end of campus, near the parking lots.

Full bus transit information to stop ID 8181 (from downtown), or stop ID 3076 (from Lincoln Park and Ride, or to downtown) is also available through by looking up directions on Google Maps.

Application Deadline: 11:59 pm, July 19th, 2024
Note: Applications received by Friday, June 28th, 2024 will receive priority consideration, early acceptance notification, and first choice in presentation time.

How to apply:

• Complete the UnConference Application online here (google forms)
  or
• Download the Word version of the application document, fill in, and email to icds.unconference@wwu2.onmicrosoft.com and icds@wwu.edu

About the Disability Studies and Action Collaborative (DSAC) UnConference

Event details

• Event dates: Saturday and Sunday, October 19 & 20, 2024 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 
• Event location: Academic West Building, Western Washington University
  • hybrid remote options available
• Priority Application deadline for early decision: 11:59pm, Friday June 28th, 2024
• Final Application deadline: 11:59 pm, Friday July 19th, 2024
• Acceptances sent: by the end of July, 2024
• Participant Fee (determined after Acceptances are sent): Sliding scale from $0 to $250

Application Requirements

The initial application for the UnConference will ask you to provide the following:

• Statement explaining why you are interested in attending the UnConference
• Description of your professional or personal connection to disability culture and access
• List of themes or topics you might want to focus on in your working groups or presentations

Note that space is limited, so we may not be able to admit everyone who applies. Preference will be given to those who identify as having a disability or other marginalized population traditionally excluded from professional or academic spaces. Priority will be given to individuals with disabilities and those working in the Pacific Northwest. Nondisabled and those working outside the region are still welcome to apply. For those who would like to attend but who would need financial assistance to do so, please reach out to us at icds.unconference@wwu2.onmicrosoft.com and icds@wwu.edu.

This event is for everyone, regardless of your access needs. You are welcome to attend the UnConference in person on our Bellingham, WA campus, or you may attend fully on Zoom. We will provide access supports to attendees, including ASL interpretation, downloadable materials, and other accommodations participants request in the application form.

All applicants are required to make the following commitments:

• Attend both days of the UnConference participating to the fullest degree possible 
• Actively participate in the workshop sessions on Day 1 (Saturday Oct 19)
• Give a presentation on Day 2 (Sunday Oct 20), whether it be very short and informal or longer and more formal
• Communicate your access needs to us as early as possible so we can provide for your needs

Applications received by June 28th, 2024 will receive priority consideration and first choice in presentation time. Final applications are due 11:59 pm July 19th.

The WWU Institute for Critical Disability Studies supports faculty, staff, and community members with fellowships to develop programs and carry out projects related to disability scholarship and advocacy. This year, we are building a three-person cohort from differing professional and advocacy backgrounds for a 10-month program running from May 2024 until February 2025. Fellows meet regularly throughout the calendar year to work together on their projects and learn from each other’s skills and interests.

Fellows are awarded $3,000 total for their time in the program. Fellows also consult with one or more Project Mentors.

ICDS Fellows Program Mission

The goal of the WWU ICDS Fellows Program is to create a venue where faculty, staff, and local community members can develop collaborative programs and initiatives related to disability scholarship and advocacy. 

About the Fellows Program

What do Fellows do?

Our fellows take on a wide range of projects. Here are a few examples:

• Developing a community-focused event or program
• Traveling to conduct research at an archive or to gather interviews from the community
• Building a social network among activists and artists within a community
• Creating an art project and sharing it with the public
• Conducting scholarly research and developing writing projects

While we would like you to have some ideas and general direction for what you’d like to do as a Fellow, you do not have to have a firm plan finalized in order to be accepted into the ICDS Fellows Program. Much of our early work in the Fellows Program can include planning and project development in consultation with Program Mentors and with the collective support of your peers in the Program.

Program Structure

The participation of Fellows in the Program is structured as follows:

1. Each Fellow will submit an application in which they propose ideas and projects they are interested in working on for their fellowship period.
2. Each fellow receives $3,000 total for the period from May 01 2024 until February 28, 2025, disbursed in two installments of $1500, one near the beginning of the Fellows Program, and one at the Fellowship’s conclusion. The awarded funds are typically distributed evenly across academic terms, but can be disbursed on a different schedule if requested. 
3. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with mentors based on the group’s interests and project goals.  Fellows will meet and check in regularly with their mentors during their project development stage.
4. Fellows meet as a full cohort approximately once every 2 – 3 weeks throughout the calendar year, including the summer. These meetings will be hybrid, allowing both in-person and online participation.

Program Outcomes

This is a process-driven program, rather than a product-driven program. What this means is that you will be working toward a goal, but it is not vital that you finish the project within the year of the fellowship. Some projects may turn out to be too big and ambitious to finish in just one year. The Fellows Program is here to help you along the journey. 

There are three outcomes for the fellows program:

1. In late May 2024, we will ask you to write a brief introduction of yourself and your tentative project ideas, which we will publish in our annual 2024 ICDS Annual Showcase newsletter. We will help you with any editorial support you should need. 
2. In October 2024, we will invite you to give a 10-30 minute presentation about your work in progress as an ICDS Fellow at the annual Disability Studies and Action Collaborative UnConference happening Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 2024. 
3. By February 2025, we will ask you to write a short follow-up report on your work as a ICDS Fellow. This report will be published in our annual 2025 ICDS Annual Showcase newsletter.

Meet the 2024 ICDS Fellows Cohort

Chapi / Sharon Alfaro

she/her/ella

Hello, my name is Sharon Alfaro but I go by Chapi. My pronouns are she/her/ella. I have worked in the mental health industry for four years up to very recently and it is my biggest passion of all. This is why I decided to make my project mental health and illness related. I currently work as a phlebotomist at labcorp and am a full time mom to three fur babies. I am more than excited for this fellowship and hope I can wow everyone. My goal is not just to wow everyone, but also educate my community and fellow Latinx members

Steve Hickenbottom

he/him

I’m an educator from Seattle, Washington, working in transition skills for students with disabilities at Edmonds College. I grew up in the Ballard area of Seattle and received my bachelor’s degree in history from Western Washington University in 2008. After college I started working as a Special Education paraprofessional in the Seattle School district. Eventually I went back to school and received a Washington State Teaching Certificate in Special Education and taught in the Seattle and Shoreline School districts before moving to Edmonds College in 2023. In my role at Edmonds College I work to support students developing self advocacy and workplace readiness skills as they transition from high school to college/work. I love working with my students and seeing them discover their strengths and passions!

In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, particularly the North Cascades. I love exploring new places and meeting new people along the way. In the ICDS Fellowship I’m excited to explore ways to expand disability services to historically underserved populations through outreach and education. Access to services should not depend on an individual’s income or circumstances and I’m passionate about finding ways to expand access to local and state resources for people with disabilities.

Alexander Jones

he/him

Alexander Jones, the Accessibility Specialist at Woodland Park Zoo focuses on all aspects of accessibility as it intersects with the guest, staff, and volunteer experience.  He implemented The Guest Inclusion Program, a grant funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services focused on creating inclusive informal programming across the zoo based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning.  Working in the field of accessibility for over 9 years he brings a diverse perspective with both lived experience identifying as an individual with disabilities, a background in ADA compliance, Web Accessibility, a human design-centered approach, and adaptive therapeutic recreation. Alexander currently serves on the Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium as a steering committee member. While much of his work has been in the space of accessibility he is excited to dig deeper into disability justice in the fellowship at Western Washington University. He hopes this work will help create a deeper impact amplifying more disabled voices.

Getting Involved

Fellows: How to apply to the ICDS Fellows Program

Applications open on Friday March 01, 2024, and are due by 11:59 pm on Monday, April 01, 2024.  The application form is at the bottom of this page. Finalists will be contacted for callback interviews in the first half of April.

How to become a Project Mentor for the ICDS Fellows Program

Fellows partner with ICDS Fellows Mentors, who are faculty, staff, or community member mentors with expertise or experience in disability scholarship and/or advocacy. Mentors meet with Fellows to discuss their projects and offer support. Project Mentors are compensated for each mentorship session.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please contact icds@wwu.edu so that the ICDS co-directors can follow-up with your questions and set up a phone call or Zoom meeting.

Contact us

To reach the ICDS Fellows Program team with questions, please address emails to both of the following email addresses: icds@wwu.edu and icds.fellows.program@wwu2.onmicrosoft.com.

Institute for Critical Disability Studies Fellows Application

Applications for the ICDS Fellows Program 2024 Cohort has closed.
Please check back next year for the 2025 cohort!

Application deadline: 11:59 pm, Monday, April 01, 2024

Scholars Week Events for Students

The Institute for Critical Disability Studies is hosting its WWU Scholars Week events for students. We are so excited to show off all of the amazing work that has been happening in our DISA courses, our electives hosted around the university, and beyond! 

Any student is invited to participate, though we will give special priority to students from the Critical Disability Studies minor. We will have two features for this year’s Scholars Week.

ICDS Digital Student Archive

We have launched a new digital platform to archive the work our students do every year through WWU’s CEDAR system. Submissions can be in any form and any length, including essays, reports, posters, videos, audio recordings, and websites. These pieces will live on this public archive where others can enjoy them into the future. All work is welcome.

ICDS Scholars Week Panel

We will hold a hybrid online and in-person event during Scholars Week in May 2025. We will ask everyone who participates to give a 5-10 minute presentation. You can either read your work aloud or show a pre-recorded video. If you have other kinds of work you want to share, such as if you want to display visual art or you want to stage a performance, just let us know in the form below. Note that we are prioritizing work that was completed between Spring 2024 and Winter 2025.

Want to Join In?

The ICDS Scholars Week Committee is accepting submissions until April 15th, 2025 at 11:59pm using the form below. Student Panel presenters who submit by the early deadline can also receive coaching and feedback from the committee.