Two Clemson University alumni whose determination has helped them become successful will be featured in a discussion Thursday, Sept. 10, as part of Disability Diversity Awareness Day at Clemson.
Richie Parker and Javis Austin will participate on the “Outside the Box: Redefining the Diversity Label” panel at 6:30 p.m. in the Palmetto Ballroom in the Edgar Brown Union.
Parker uses his feet to design high-performance automotive parts as an engineer for NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports.
Austin, a former Clemson football player, is nearly blind, and his story of resilience and innovative thinking inspires children with disabilities and young athletes.
The discussion is presented by Student Disability Services, the Office of Access and Equity, Clemson Athletics, Clemson Libraries, the Diversity Office and the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center and is part of the university’s observance of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Disability Diversity Awareness Day will give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to pledge their commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) beginning at 9 a.m. in front of Cooper library.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
Pledge cards will be available for anyone to sign, and a banner will hang in the library throughout October. Individuals who pledge their support will be eligible to win prizes like an Echo Smartpen, a Dabo Swinney-autographed football, autographed basketball, T-shirts and a variety of back-to-school items.
For more information, call 864-656-6848 or contact Dede Norungolo at norungo@clemson.edu.
