International Day of Persons With Disabilities
The International Day Of Persons With Disabilities, which takes place on Dec. 3, was established in October 1992 with the intention of bringing awareness to over 1 billion people with disabilities globally. This date emphasizes the necessity to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities by highlighting the disparity these persons face in the social, political, health care, educational, professional, and other facets of society.
It’s essential that deliberate and intentional action be taken to provide equity and ensure persons with disabilities are being extended a seat at the table where they are able to speak and be heard.
The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in partnership with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center will observe this important date alongside showing continuous solidarity and support to initiatives that will elevate and provide the persons with disabilities community the recognition they deserve.
Please visit our calendar to be a part of these events that celebrate the International Day of Persons With Disabilities!
You can take action by learning more about International Persons With Disabilities Day alongside resources for persons with disabilities and their allies at the UN's website and at the ADRC's website
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News and Involvement Opportunities |
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Free Speech Essay Contest Winner:
HSC Campus
Christie Nguyen
Christie is a second-year pharmacy student who is pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree at OU's HSC campus. She plans to work as a nuclear pharmacist due to her admiration for the way the human body functions and how medications can aid patients in therapy. Christie leverages her passion to interact with patients by volunteering at events, providing COVID-19 relief, health checkups, and medication reviews.
Congratulations Christie!
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Free Speech Essay Contest Winner:
Norman Campus
Layne Miller
Layne is a first-year undergraduate student who is pursuing her bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in law. She plans to attend law school after finishing her studies at OU's Norman campus. Layne stays busy with her spot on the OU's Women's Golf team. She is also involved in her sorority, Tri Delta and supports the Norman Police Department with her dog, Vika trained in narcotics, search and rescue, and protection work.
Great Job Layne!
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TRIO Program Spotlight:
An Interview With
Karis Wilson
The DEI team sat down with Karis Wilson, graduate research assistant to the McNair Scholars Program, for more insight into her experience working in the program.
What is your role in the McNair Scholars Program?
KW: My role with McNair is to serve as the graduate research assistant for the program. I assist the scholars with the standard test preparation process. This involves those in their junior year, alongside helping seniors with their graduate school applications.
How has McNair affected your life?
KW: The most impactful part of the McNair program is being part of the hands-on guidance and mentorship of the scholars. It’s rewarding to be a part of making active change in a student's life! In addition, the fantastic reputation the program holds nationally with the name serving as this stellar level of recognition that isn't easy to achieve makes me feel proud to belong to the organization.
What is your favorite thing about the McNair Scholars Program?
KW: I love seeing students grow and thrive through mentorship, programs, and the programs’ structure that enriches their lives and prepares them for the next step in their academic and subsequent professional careers. We also work with other areas within the Trio Programs, and this collaboration fosters a sense of community and allows me to see the full scope of the work we're doing on campus.
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Self-Care: The Importance of
Finding Your Self-Care Style
Jasmine Willis-Wallace, Ed.D.
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
OU-Tulsa
Life is busy; many of us are living a life where we are balancing our jobs, family obligations, school and more. While we might recognize the importance of self-care in our lives, putting it into action can be difficult. How do we begin to rethink, reimagine, and reprioritize self-care, when we are so often thinking about the needs others than the needs of ourselves? We have become so accustomed to this idea of busyness that we often forget to slow down and appreciate life.
We frequently hear the term “self-care,” but what does that mean? What does “self-care” look like and how do we put it into mindful and intentional practice? In this article, I will discuss the meaning of self-care, its importance, and types of self-care that will allow you to live a healthier lifestyle.

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Looking Back At the Year of Indigenous Languages (2019) and to the Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032)
Amy Lyons-Ketchum
Assistant Director of Training and Development
The United Nations declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages with the goal to “preserve, revitalize, and promote indigenous languages and improve the lives of those who speak them.” The year was filled with incredible events, starting with the official launch event at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France; high level events in New York City; and various conferences, seminars, and meetings across the world. Over 40% of the world’s 6,000-plus languages are endangered, and these high-profile events brought much needed public attention to the crucial role language plays in the culture, identity, sovereignty, and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples.

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OU Employee Resource Groups
At OU, the Employee Resource Groups are an open forum for individuals with a shared identity to build community and a place of belonging.
ERGs are available at all three campuses and include Black faculty and staff/ African American faculty and staff (OUHealth), Latinx Coalition, Indigenous faculty and staff Circle, LGBTQ+ faculty and staff, Middle Eastern North African faculty and staff, and Asian Pacific Islander Desi Indian faculty and staff.
For any questions about ERG please send an email to
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Accessibility and Disability Resource Center:
Digital Accessibility: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
Donna Lewis
Digital Specialist
Certified Professional in Accessibility in Core Competencies
Have you heard the term, “Digital Accessibility,” before? For many people, this article may be their introduction to the concept. Digital Accessibility is the degree to which people with diverse abilities can perceive, navigate, or interact with websites; documents created in Microsoft Office Suite programs, Google Docs, and other applications; PDFs; videos; etc. A document is accessible when it can be perceived, navigated, and manipulated by the greatest number of people, those with and without disabilities.
For any questions or assistance please contact the ADRC at
adrc@ou.edu.
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Diversity Ally Series
Unlearning Trans+Homonegativity
9 - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 30
Virtual Workshop
Developed for faculty and staff, the Diversity Ally program is designed to improve campus climate by providing skills and resources to avoid bias, to support students and colleagues, and to disrupt harmful dynamics when they arise. Don't miss the last session of this semester!
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Request Customized Training
With DEI
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In a community of care, members are engaged in continuous education via workshops and training sessions like the ones scheduled by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Those options are listed on the DEI calendar.
Sometimes, however, training needs to be customized to fit the experiences of a college or administrative department. To request a customized training or to facilitate conversations, we invite you to complete an online form. |
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Request a customized training session by clicking on the bottom below: |
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team is looking forward to your requests!
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Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | United We Stand
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