At age 18, fourth-year Engineering student Imran Khan was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia, a degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. Imran explained that he has been struggling to fight the consequences of this disorder since then.
"It is a progressive disease and it has certainly progressed over the years for me," he said.
Khan is one of many students around Grounds living with a disability. He has been pushing for promotion of awareness by social media publicity and fundraising, but he also decided to get involved with the University's third annual Disabilities Awareness Week, which is currently taking place. The week is co-sponsored by Student Council's Diversity Initiatives committee.
Debbie Berkeley, assistant director at the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center, said about 500 University students have disclosed a disability of some sort. She said she suspects there are a number of students who have not disclosed information, however.
"I think students with disabilities are a large part of the U.Va. community, and it's important to recognize them as a part of our community and the general community around us," Berkeley said.\nFor this week, Khan has designed and posted flyers around Grounds, tabled on the Lawn, made announcements before classes and shared his story with the community, he said.
John Nay, fourth-year College student and the week's programs manager, has been involved with planning various events around Grounds this week to promote awareness about the various disabilities that people have.
Nay explained that he took the job following the 2011 graduation of Jason Shapiro, the creator of the week and the older brother of a physically disabled person. Nay said Shapiro planned the week's events to show the University's support and acceptance of disabilities during October because it is Disabilities Awareness Month state- and nationwide.
"It's inspirational how people go through their daily lives dealing with disabilities," Nay said. "I personally want to be aware of the various disabilities and how people accommodate. I've always been struck by the idea that it's pure luck in how you're born." He added that the issue is personal because his aunt has physical disabilities.
Second-year College student Edna Turay said Student Council's Diversity Initiatives is taking a bigger role this year in the events this week. As co-chair of the committee, Turay said she wants to raise awareness and educate people of the issues at hand.
"I think a lot of people don't know about some of the issues facing certain students here," Turay said. "A lot of U.Va. students have disabilities but these issues are put on the back-burner."
The events planned for this week include tabling on the Lawn to distribute ribbons and flyers containing information about certain lesser-known disorders.
The main event of the week is the panel discussion tonight titled "Addressing Disabilities through Education and Legislation." The three speakers are Dr. Joseph Cox, superintendent of Colonial Heights Public Schools, Del. Kirk Cox, Virginia House of Delegates majority leader, and fourth-year College student Eleanor Mullen, one of the few deaf students at the University.
Disability Awareness Week continues Thursday and Friday afternoons with "ManiCURE for Muscular Dystrophy," which will raise money for muscular dystrophy research by painting fingernails.\n"I love the idea of [this week] - the whole thing hits home for me," Khan said.
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