Purdue Best Bets

September 25, 1998 JOURNALISTS: Here are story ideas and Purdue events during the next two weeks. Companies accommodating disabled workers During National Disability Awareness Month, employers need to realize that accommodating workers with disabilities usually requires more sensitivity than sacrifice, according Purdue University's personnel access coordinator, Pat Russell. "People with disabilities often are the best resource in knowing what is needed to do their jobs," she says. "And in most cases, the accommodations can be met by working together." In the years since the Americans With Disabilities Act became law, Purdue, like other employers, has used new technology and management techniques to help workers with disabilities be more productive. CONTACTS: Russell, (765) 494-0269, e-mail, pdrussell@personnel.purdue.edu Purdue to showcase campus disability resources Adaptive Programs of the Office of the Dean of Students will sponsor an exhibition of disability resources from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, in the conference room in Student Services Annex 1 as part of National Disability Awareness Month. Thomas Robinson, vice president for student services, will read a proclamation from West Lafayette Mayor Sonya Margerum at noon. Exhibitors will include: Adaptive Programs and Tactile Access to Education for Visually Impaired Students (TAEVIS) of the Office of the Dean of Students; the School of Agriculture's Breaking New Ground Resource Center; Counseling and Psychological Services; the Multimedia Instructional Development Center; Adaptive Learning Programs Lab; and the student organization Purdue Advocates for Disability Issues. Activities will include a wheelchair obstacle course and tours of the new Adaptive Programs facilities. CONTACTS: Paula Micka, assistant dean of students, (765) 494-1245; e-mail, pjmicka@odos.purdue.edu; Janet Beattie, Adaptive Programs specialist, (765) 496-2973 (V/TTY); e-mail, jebeattie@odos.purdue.edu Events Wednesday, Sept. 30. Purdue's chapter of Pi Tau Sigma, the honor society for mechanical engineering students, will sponsor a public seminar titled "Enhancing Personal Creativity" at 7 p.m. in the North Ballroom of the Purdue Memorial Union. The free seminar will be conducted by Michael T. Bagley, an international expert on stimulating creativity in the corporate environment. It is co-sponsored by Ingersoll-Rand Co. CONTACT: Ben Diachun, Pi Tau Sigma, (765) 746-2852; e-mail, diachun@ecn.purdue.edu Friday, Oct. 2. Open house at the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories of the School of Mechanical Engineering. 2-5 p.m. Celebration of the lab's 40th anniversary will include tours of the laboratories and demonstrations of current research. The labs are off South Intramural Drive. CONTACT: Robert Bernhard, director, (765) 494-2141. Tuesday, Oct. 6. Eighth Annual Identity & Community Week mini-conference sponsored by African-American Studies and Research Center. Noon-4:30 p.m. Black Cultural Center. Theme is "The Black Male -- Image, Issues and Influence." Presentations: -- Noon, "African-Americans as Athletes," Terry Williams, graduate student in history. -- 1:30 p.m., "Issues: Crisis & Challenge -- Defining Black Manhood," Kermit Harrison, graduate student in philosophy. -- 3 p.m., "Influence: Black Males in the University Community," Anthony Lemelle, associate professor of sociology. CONTACT: Leonard Harris, director of the African-American Studies and Research Center, (765) 494-5680. Friday, Oct. 9. Patrick J. Early, president, Somerset Financial Services, Indianapolis, speaks about "The Economic Impact of Professional Sports" at the Krannert Executive Forum at 11:30 a.m. in the Krannert Building Auditorium. Reporters are welcome, but are asked to refrain from asking questions during the lecture. Videotaping and taking photographs are not allowed during the formal part of the lecture, but are allowed during the student question-and-answer sessions. Interviews with Early can be prearranged. CONTACT: Tamyra Gibson, director of public relations, Krannert Graduate School of Management, (765) 494-4392; e-mail, gibson@mgmt.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page