As part of the nationwide Global Accessibility Awareness Day movement, the seventh annual Signal Centers Accessibility Awareness Summit is returning next month. This year’s programming includes a free resource fair on Thursday, May 15.
Officials said, "Resource fair attendees will learn about access and inclusion, two ingredients vital to quality of life for the more than one billion people living with disabilities. The event will feature disability service providers who have resources to offer, remarks from a world-renowned blind architect and a panel of local thought leaders.
A light breakfast will also be provided."
“It’s so exciting to put so many lived experiences and forward thinkers in a room to connect around accessibility,” said Deardra McGee, director of Signal Centers’ Assistive Technology Services program. “The community has felt the Summit’s impact over the past seven years, and we expect this year to be the most transformative one yet.”
Hosted in partnership with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company, McKee Foods and Unum, the resource fair will be held from 9 a.m.-noon at Signal Centers’ community event space in the Uptain Building’s third floor, 5751 Uptain Road.
Upon entering, attendees will be surrounded by tables of local disability service providers ready to provide information on products and services available to those living with disabilities. This will give Signal Centers the opportunity to spotlight resources offered by two of its programs: Assistive Technology Services and The Speech & Hearing Center. Assistive Technology Services helps those with disabilities navigate a tech-driven world as independently as possible. The Speech & Hearing Center specializes in communication disorders by providing audiology and speech services to individuals with impairments of all ages and income.
After perusing the ample resources around the room, the event will officially open with remarks from international speaker Chris Downey. Almost two decades ago, Mr. Downey was able to return to designing buildings within a month of losing his vision suddenly and completely. As the first blind architect, he adapted through tactile floor plans, a long cane and networking with visually impaired professionals. He has since focused on creating enriching, accessible environments for those with disabilities. Beyond his completed design projects, his accomplishments include founding a consulting architecture firm, serving on the California Commission on Disability Access and teaching at University of California Berkeley.
Following Mr. Downey, guests will participate in a panel discussion featuring:
• Dr. Mina Sartipi, founding director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga;
• Deardra McGee, director of Assistive Technology Services at Signal Centers;
• Wayne Collins, chief operating officer of Orange Grove Center; and
• Cory Raburn, Vocational Rehabilitation regional manager at Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation.
"These community leaders will draw from their expertise for an open dialogue on the importance of accessibility and inclusion in Chattanooga," officials said. "Their goal is to foster deeper awareness and understanding of the issues facing those with disabilities and to lead the conversation on how everyone can collaborate to address them."