Third Annual Together RIT: A Day of Dialogue | September 2024
Join us for Together RIT: A Day of Dialogue, October 25, 2024 from 10am to 4pm on the RIT campus. The theme this year is “Deaf Culture, Disability and Neurodiversity.” RIT’s student body and workforce are diverse with a large Deaf community, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. This year’s event is a chance for all of us to learn more about and discuss a variety of issues like “invisible” disabilities, ableism or audism, ways to create support mechanisms for neurodivergent learners in the classroom and the importance of terminology or accurate identity markers and how these kinds of issues can manifest in structures and at the institutional level.
Among the sessions offered are “Hi, I’m Autistic,” “Creating Neuroinclusive Spaces on Campus”, “Signing Black in America” and “Deaf MythBusters and Gains.”
Taj Smith, executive director for Culture and Diversity Education says, “This year’s theme was chosen based on feedback. It has proven to be a good choice, as I’ve received a number of emails, Instagram comments or engaged inside conversations with people sharing their approval and excitement.”
Smith has been working with employees across the university in the planning of Together RIT and adds a special thank you to Stowe Beecher, Kelly Kamish, Ting Zhang, Gayle Macias, Crystal Peloquin, Kendra Evans, Ashley Griffith, and Jennifer Swartzenberg who reviewed proposal submissions. It is a big undertaking and Smith says more volunteers can still sign up.
Together RIT is open only to RIT students, staff, faculty, and alums. It provides a safe space to ask questions, give different perspectives and build solidarity. The kickoff will consist of a panel discussion in Ingle Auditorium at 10 am, followed by informative workshops and sessions held mostly in the SAU, Campus Center, and the SHED. The closing will be a conversation with two RIT alumni who will talk about some of their experiences being Deaf and/or disabled.
Lunch will only be provided to those registered for the designated lunch discussions. Otherwise, lunch is on your own.
Look for registration coming the week of September 16th.