Friday, Nov. 8, 2024
Diercks Hall, NVIDIA Auditorium
1025 N. Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, WI 53202

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about inclusion, empowerment, and the future of accessibility. Sessions will explore ethical questions, cultural impacts, and practical approaches to providing access and assistance while fostering independence. Each session will address accessibility and inclusion issues with a focus on ethics and technology. Through expert presentations, we plan to provide diverse perspectives on disability and accessibility. Whether you are a student, educator, or member of the public, this event offers a valuable opportunity to engage with critical bioethical issues and be part of the movement toward a more inclusive society.

This event is free and open to the public. Attend any or all the sessions. Sign language interpreters will be present to ensure full participation for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Schedule of Events

Attend in-person or watch the livestream via MS Teams!

8:30-9 a.m.: Coffee and healthy snacks

9-9:50 a.m.: Cochlear Implants: The Ethics of Choice, Technology and Identity | Dr. Charles Tritt, associate professor; Ramiro Martinez, nursing student; members of the Deaf community

This session will explore the history and status of the debate surrounding cochlear implants for children and the broader implications for both individuals and Deaf culture. We will examine the complex ethical questions of parental choice, autonomy, and the role of abilities and technology in shaping identity. Are cochlear implants a tool for inclusion or do they risk eroding the cultural identity of the Deaf community? This conversation will offer a balanced view on the benefits and challenges of assistive devices, exploring how to navigate the tension between technological advancement, identity, and cultural preservation.

10-10:50 a.m.: The Challenges of Neurodiversity | Angela Moreau, assistant director of accessibility and advocacy; Debra Nygren, UX student

This session explores the subtleties and complexities of the neurodiversity paradigm. This framework seeks to define neurodiversity not as a disability but as a natural and valuable part of human diversity. We will explore how this ethically fits into the world of access and equality. Differing opinions regarding autism as pathology as opposed to healthy divergence of the human experience will be examined. While it is essential to create environments that accommodate diverse ways of thinking and functioning, we must also consider the social and practical costs involved. Given limited resources, whose needs should take precedence? Where do organizations draw the line between a needs and preferences?  We will delve into the important considerations when trying to balance the needs of neurodiverse individuals with the needs of the broader community, while emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and respect.

11-11:50 a.m.: Panel Discussion: Promoting Independence in an Inclusive Environment | Jessica Morgan, APNP, director of health services; Angela Moreau, assistant director of accessibility and advocacy; Rebecca Ploeckelman, director of human resources; Moderator: Dr. Charles Tritt, associate professor

In this panel discussion, MSOE staff and faculty members will come together to explore how universities can assist individuals with disabilities without fostering unnecessary dependence. The panel will tackle real-world questions about balancing assistance with empowerment and ensuring that accessibility efforts promote long-term success and independence. Whether in education or employment, this session will address how policies, practices, and support systems can evolve to create an environment where everyone can thrive.