A number of University of Oregon staff and faculty members with disabilities have started a new strategies and working group called the Employee Disability and Neurodiversity Affinity Group, known informally as EDNA.

Self-identified members of this community are invited to attend the launch meeting on Oct. 25 at noon over Zoom, which will be closed captioned. It welcomes all current and former UO employees and graduate students who are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf and blind; manage chronic conditions, immunity risks, medications, fatigue and mental health; and contend with others’ expectations of their bodies and minds, with or without a formal diagnosis.

"Since coming to UO in 2022, I've been fortunate to meet and get to know many other disabled and neurodivergent colleagues, but as valuable as those relationships are, we don't have opportunities to be in community more broadly. There are likely thousands of us around campus, but it's easy to feel isolated, " said Grey L. Pierce, a member of the group’s leadership team. "We hope that through EDNA, we'll have a place to come together to discuss and advocate around our shared issues, as well as to socialize and build community." 

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and UO offers many resources to ensure workplace equity and this new group is a part of those efforts.

There are several established and emerging groups affiliated with the Division of Equity and Inclusion, such as Black, Native American and LatinX, that meet regularly.

Visit EDNA's website to learn more and join the Listserv, or email ednagroup@uoregon.edu with questions and access ideas.

"At our first meeting, we hope to learn about the wishes of faculty, staff and graduate students across a wide spectrum of mind and body diversity to help shape this new affinity group," said Betsy Wheeler, a member of the leadership team.

Zoom link for EDNA launch meeting

Passcode: EDNA

Meeting ID: 928 3622 5745