The second annual UO Disabilities Studies Forum will take place Oct. 30 on campus.

This year, the forum includes two events: a keynote luncheon and a community conversation, both featuring Emory University disabilities studies professor Rosemarie Garland-Thomson.

The keynote luncheon will be held at the Ford Alumni Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 30. Garland-Thomson will speak about her current research on the bioethics of technology regarding disabilities.  Members of the UO disabilities studies initiative, students, UO faculty and members of the community are invited to attend.

The community conversation will take place in the Gerlinger lounge from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. following the luncheon. Garland-Thomson will answer questions  about her speech and discuss ideas for disabilities studies growth at the UO.

Professor Allison Hobgood of Willamette University and professor Jose Alaniz of the University of Washington will also answer questions and discuss various issues with attendees at the community conversation. Appetizers and an open bar will be available.

The field of disabilities studies works to bring social justice change regarding individuals with disabilities as well as introduce innovative perspectives to the world of academia and society.

Garland-Thomson is widely recognized in the field of disabilities studies. She received the Senior Scholar Award from the Society of Disability Studies in 2010 and was named one of the “50 Visionaries who are Changing the World” by the Utne Reader in 2009.

The events are free and open to the public and will be ASL interpreted and open captioned. Those who plan to attend the keynote luncheon should RSVP and/or send requests for disability accommodation to emagee@uoregon.edu.

—By Nathaniel Brown, Public Affairs Communications intern