When it comes to interacting with individuals with disabilities, people ask, "What should I do?" How should I respond?" "Is it okay to say that?" and "How can I become an ally?"
Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit from the Saint Louis University School of Education attempts to answer some of these questions.
The Ability Exhibit launched in 2010, after being initiated by Anne Marie Carroll and developed by other SLU graduate students studying disability in higher education and society under the direction of Karen Myers, Ph.D.
This traveling exhibit is designed to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities through respect for others, comfort during interactions, and awareness of disability issues.
It is an affordable learning experience that is easy to ship, and can be set up in a few hours. The Ability Institute is not currently taking requests for the exhibit or workshops.
Features of the Ability Exhibit
Using a multimedia approach, The Ability Exhibit offers suggestions for becoming disability allies and educators. It provides interactive stations designed to build awareness about people with disabilities and the disability movement.
Overview of the Disability Movement
The disability movement in the United States is illustrated through a sample of historical
photographs. A pivotal moment in the movement was the signing of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the most comprehensive legislation concerning the
civil rights of persons with disabilities. Learn more about disability legislation
in the "ADA 20th Anniversary" video.
Quiz Yourself: "Ability IQ"
Through computer quizzes, test your knowledge about disability facts, celebrities with disabilities, disability law and appropriate communication techniques. You will be surprised by how much you already know and what you might learn.
Who Do You Know with Disabilities?
Indicate if you know someone with a disability, and notice how many people — including
you — already are disability allies. Categories include visual (blind, low vision),
hearing (deaf, hard of hearing), mobility, psychological, medical and learning disabilities.
Space Rope
Hold one end of the Space Rope and experience the communication distances used by
people who are blind and have low vision. Knots on the Space Rope indicate the distance
between two people. Used in pairs, the Space Rope helps simulate the appropriate distance
between two individuals for public or personal space.
Inclusive Language
You will learn about person-first language and identity-first language. Using inclusive
language allows us to show respect and avoid labels.
Silent/Hidden Disabilities
Learning disabilities that are "silent" or "hidden" affect millions of people but
often are overlooked. See facts and statistics about learning disabilities in the
United States.
Universal Design
Learn about universal instructional design, which relates to curriculum and academic
settings and provides welcoming educational environments and equal access for everyone,
and universal design in student development. An informational video and several publications
provide specifics for using each, as well as an overview of universal design principles
in general.
Learning Objectives
After participating in Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit, attendees will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of people with disabilities and the disability movement.
- Display a greater sensitivity to the struggles faced by people with disabilities in the past and to the challenges people with disabilities encounter today and will encounter in the future.
- Understand the value of such concepts as universal design and person-first language after experiencing these concepts in action.
- Appreciate and understand the concept of and need for ability allies and make a commitment to being an ally for inclusion.
- Become advocates for awareness, acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities in society.
Sponsorship
Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit is sponsored by the Saint Louis University School of Education and SLU’s Division of Student Development, SLU's Division of Information Technology Services, Logan College of Chiropractic and Mary Bruemmer.
Host the Exhibit
Since its debut in 2010, The Ability Exhibit has traveled to dozens of colleges and universities across the country.
We can ship The Ability Exhibit to your campus, complete with instructions for setting up and hosting it in a variety of educational venues and spaces. Once you're finished, you'll pack it up and send it back to us.
The exhibit includes 10 stations and weighs about 400 pounds. Pricing and additional rental information is available in the rental and purchasing guide (PDF).
Upon completion of the training, participants can choose to display an Ability Ally placard at their workspace or wear a wristband identifying them as an ability ally.
The exhibit is not currently available for display.
Previous Hosts
The Ability Exhibit: Allies for Inclusion is hosted worldwide.
2019
- Tulane University, New Orleans, February 6-8, 2019
- University of Michigan, Ann, Arbor: February 27-28, 2019
- Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable, Massachusetts: March 5-7, 2019
- Lindenwood University, St. Louis: March 19-20, 2019
- Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey: April 8-10, 2019
- Highline University, Seattle: April 22-25, 2019
- University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut: April 17-20, 2019
- ATLIB Summer Professional Development Conference for Tertiary Level Institutions, STANN Creek Ecumenical Junior College, Dangriga, Belize: June 5-6, 2019
- Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee: September 24-26, 2019
- Starkloff Workplace Disability Summit, October 1, 2019
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado: October 14-15, 2019
- Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire: October 16-17, 2019
- Parkway South Middle School, St. Louis: October 14-17, 2019
- Rock Valley College, Rockford, Illinois: October 29-31, 2019
- PIUS Library, Saint Louis University, November 7- December 16, 2019
2018
- St. John's College, Belize City, Belize: May 21-24, 2018
- St. Charles Community College, Cottleville, Missouri: April 23-25, 2018
- Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves, Missouri: April 8-20, 2018
- Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill: Massachusetts April 9-11, 2018
- Southwest Middle School, St. Louis: March 15, 2018
- Parkway South High School, St. Louis: March 9, 2018
- Life University, Marietta, Georgia: March 8, 2018
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wisconsin: February 27-March 2, 2018
- Fragile X Conference, Cincinnati: July 11-14,2018
- Logan University, Chesterfield, Missouri: July 23-27,2018
- Accommodations for Success Job Fair, St. Peters, Missouri: August 8-9,2018
- EmployAbility Summit, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce: September 25, 2018
- Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences, Kansas City, Missouri: October 2-3, 2018
- Metropolitan State University, St Paul Minnesota: October 10-11, 2018
- SUNY Broome Community College, Binghamton, New York: October 24-26, 2018\
- SUNY Purchase College, Purchase, New York: October 29-31,2018
- Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri: October 29-November 2, 2018
- Wells Fargo Financial Advisors, St. Louis: November 2-9, 2018
2017
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California: January 17-19, 2017
- University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska: March 1-2, 2017
- Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan: March 13-15, 2017
- John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio: March 20-22, 2017
- Butler University, Indianapolis: March 28-30, 2017
- Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland, Wisconsin: April 3-5, 2017
- Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale, Arizona: April 17-19, 2017
- Inspire Event, Saint Louis University, St. Louis: June 6, 2017
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis: June 14, 2017
- Leadership Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis: June 27, 2017
- UMSL Cultural Competency Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis: July 18, 2017
- Saint Louis University, St. Louis: September 13, 2017
- St. Mary’s University Twickenham, London: September 25-26, 2017
- The King’s School, Canterbury, Canterbury, UK: September 28, 2017
- Gateway Technical College, Elkhorn, Wisconsin: October 3, 2017
- Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin: October 4, 2017
- Gateway Technical College, Racine, Wisconsin: October 5, 2017
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: October 11-13, 2017
- Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, New York: October 17-19, 2017
- Connecticut College, New London: October 25, 2017
- National Association for Interpretation Conference: November 14-16, 2017
- Wayne State University, Detroit: November 29-December 1, 2017
2016
- Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan: January 26-28, 2016
- Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles: February 8-10, 2016
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania: February 22-24, 2016
- Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan: February 29-March 1, 2016
- Bridge Valley Community & Technical College, South Charleston, West Virginia: March 21-23, 2016
- Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois: March 21-23, 2016
- Washington University-St. Louis, St. Louis: April 6-8, 2016
- Inspire Event at Saint Louis University-Il Monastero,: May 26, 2016
- Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon, Illinois: August 11-15, 2016
- Saint Louis University, St. Louis: September 12, 2016
- University of Mississippi, Oxford: September 19-21, 2016
- Middle Georgia State, Macon: October 3-5, 2016
- Concordia University-Wisconsin, Mequon: October 11-13, 2016
- College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois: October 17-19, 2016
- University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson: October 19, 2016
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas: October 25, 2016
- Wells Fargo, St. Louis: October 25, 2016
- Indiana University—Purdue University at Indianapolis: November 1-3, 2016
- Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan: November 7-9, 2016
2015
- Allegany College of Maryland, Cumberland, Massachusetts: March 1-3, 2015
- ACPA, Tampa, Florida: March 5-7, 2015
- Ivy Tech Community College, Lafayette, Indiana: March 10-12, 2015
- NASPA, New Orleans: March 23-24, 2015
- Saint Louis University Law School's ADA Symposium: March 27, 2015
- Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: April 7-9, 2015
- Lafayette College Easton, Pennsylvania: April 14-16, 2015
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: April 14-16, 2015
- Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania: April 21-23, 2015
- Saint Louis University, July 23-25, 2015
- Secret Powers and Super Folks: Heroes of Disability and Determination, Saint Louis University July 23, 2015
- Allies for Art Show, Saint Louis University: July 25, 2015
- Lindenwood University-Belleville Campus, Illinois: September 2, 2015
- Fort Hays State University, Kansas: September 9-11, 2015
- Saint Louis University: September 16-17, 2015
- St. Louis College of Pharmacy: September 21-25, 2015
- Virginia Tech University: September 30-October 7, 2015
- Ameren Diversity Festival (*partial display), St. Louis: October 3, 2015
- Moraine Park Technical College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin: October 5-7, 2015
- Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo: October 13-15, 2015
- University of Cincinnati: October 13-15, 2015
- Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City: October 18-20, 2015
- Monsanto Company, St. Louis: October 19-23, 2015
- Rock Valley College, Rockford, Illinois: October 27-29, 2015
- Arkansas Tech University, Russellville: November 4-6, 2015
- Wayne State University, Detroit,: November 10-12, 2015
- Chapman University, Orange, California: November 18-20, 2015
- Appleton North High School, Appleton, Wisconsin: December 1-4, 2015
2014
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Tunnel of Oppression: March 19-20, 2014 (partial display)
- State Fair Community College, Sedalia, Missouri: March 25-27, 2014
- American College Personnel Association (ACPA) College Student Educators International Convention, Indianapolis: March 30-April 1, 2014
- Ability Allies Professional Development Seminar, Saint Louis University: July 8, 2014
- Second Annual Ability Exhibit Trivia Night, Saint Louis University: September 13, 2014
- AJCU Education Dean's Conference, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO: September 18, 2014
- Busch Student Center, Saint Louis University: September 22, 2014
- MoCPA Pre-Conference, Tan-Tar-A Resort Osage Beach, Missouri: September 28, 2014
- University of Nebraska-Omaha: October 6-10, 2014
- University of Missouri: October 14-16, 2014
- Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania: October 15-17, 2014
- Wells Fargo, St. Louis: October 23, 2014
- South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, Washington: October 29-30, 2014
- Allegany College of Maryland, Cumberland, Massachusetts: November 4-6, 2014
2013
- American College Personnel Association (ACPA), College Student Educators International Convention, Las Vegas: March 3-7, 2013
- Saint Louis University, The Ability Exhibit Trivia Night Fundraiser: September 20, 2013
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: September 16-17, 2013
- Saint Louis University Disability Services Club: September 18, 2013
- Ability Exhibit Trivia Night, Saint Louis University: September 20, 2013
- Mount Union University, Alliance, Ohio: October 8-10, 2013
- University of Oregon: October 22-24, 2013
- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania: October 28-30, 2013
- South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, Washington: November 19-21, 2013
2012
- California State University Northridge: November 13-15, 2012
- Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau: October 29-31, 2012
- Pennsylvania State University Abington: October 22-24, 2012
- Pennsylvania State University Hazelton: October 16-18, 2012
- Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania: October 10-12, 2012
- Augusta State University, Georgia: October 1-3, 2012
- Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois: September 4-7, 2012
- University of Illinois Springfield: August 30-31, 2012
- Seattle University: April 30 - May 4, 2012
- Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA: April 23-27, 2012
- University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh: April 9-13, 2012
- American College Personnel Association (ACPA), College Student Educators International 2012 Convention, Louisville, Kentucky : March 25-27, 2012
- Webster University, St. Louis: March 21, 2012
- Saint Louis University, School of Law: January 18-21, 2012
2011
- Allegany College of Maryland, Cumberland: November 8-11, 2011
- Delaware County Community College, Media, Pennsylvania: October 31 - November 4, 2011
- Bucks County Community College, Newton, Pennsylvania: October 24-28, 2011
- University of Delaware, Newark: October 12-18, 2011
- University of Vermont, Burlington: October 3-7, 2011
- Fontbonne University, St. Louis: September 21, 2011
- Washington University, St. Louis: September 20, 2011
- Saint Louis University: September 12, 2011 (sponsored by the Saint Louis University Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action, Division of Student Development, and Department of Human Resources)
- Saint Louis University,: August 15, 2011 (sponsored by the Saint Louis University School of Education)
- Southern Illinois University, Carbondale: April 26, 2011
- American College Personnel Association (ACPA), College Student Educators International 2011 Convention, Baltimore: March 28-29, 2011.
- In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit was invited by ACPA leadership and hosted by the Standing Committee on Disability.
- Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, Missouri: March 9, 2011
- Saint Louis University, Medical Center Campus: March 8, 2011