Celebrating diversity

USQ will mark Disability Action Week with a number of events across the University's three campuses including a workshop at Springfield, a sausage sizzle and forum on the Fraser Coast and a guest speech at the Toowoomba Campus by Gerrard Gosens.

Disability Resources Coordinator, Kym Lawson, said the university has been a part of the state-wide event for many years.

'Participation in Disability Action Week events helps to raise awareness amongst school communities regarding disability issues and encourages a focus on the importance of celebrating the diversity in our community.

'Events are held across Queensland to celebrate diversity and the contributions of people with a disability to our community and to help create more supportive and inclusive communities.

'USQ is a university that values diversity and is committed to providing fair access and participation for all in higher education,' she said.

As part of the week long celebrations, the Toowoomba Campus will host guest speaker Gerrard Gosens on Friday July 20 2007.

Executive Officer for the Queensland Paralympic Committee, Gerrard is congenitally blind and was named Young Queenslander of the Year in 1995, and a finalist in the Young Australian of the Year.

Gerrard represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games placing sixth in both the 5km and 10km, and seventh in the marathon.

During Disability Action Week the University will also hold a school panel for senior students at Harristown High in Toowoomba.

Facilitated by Hamish from CFM, the panel of current and past USQ students with disabilities will speak to the students about their experiences as a person with a disability.

'The USQ students will talk about some of the difficulties, challenges and positives they have encountered in reaching this point in their lives and in their University experience.

'It is hoped that this event will raise awareness of disability and also provide inspiration to the Harristown students in working towards their own goals in life.'

The school panel will be held at Harristown on Wednesday 18 July from 12noon.

A forum will be held at the Fraser Coast Campus on Monday 16 July with a presentation by Carmel Williams by four current students with disabilities. The students will be sharing information on their journey as a person with a disability. This event will be followed by a morning tea.

Student Services staff will be hosting a sausage sizzle in conjunction with the Fraser Coast Student Guild on the Tuesday 24 July 2007 as a general awareness raising event.

A half-day workshop will be held on Friday 27 July at Springfield Campus USQ will mark Disability Action Week with a number of events across the University's three campuses including a workshop at Springfield, a sausage sizzle and forum on the Fraser Coast and a guest speech at the Toowoomba Campus by Gerrard Gosens.

Please contact USQ Disability Resource Coordinator, Kym Lawson +61 7 4631 284 for more information.

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092