Join us for Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo

Register for the Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo
We recommend you register, but it is not required.

HFC will host its 2nd annual Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo on Wednesday, October 14, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the John McDonald Student and Culinary Arts Center (Building M on the main campus).

HFC Student Activities, Counseling, and Assisted Learning Services are sponsoring this event. HFC team members and community partners will be present, including:

• Friends of Detroit Animal Care & Control
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition
• Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
• Common Ground
• Disability Network of Wayne County
• Metropolitan Behavioral Health
• The University of Michigan-Dearborn
• Wayne State University
• Detroit Promise
• HFC Career Services
• Henry Ford II Honors Program
• HFC Student Outreach and Support (SOS)

Amy Ducklow, a Licensed Professional Counselor at HFC, stresses the importance of mental health.

“College is a time of new beginnings, an exciting new venture. For many students, it's also stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing new challenges. Experiencing some anxiety is normal. Students need to know their own threshold,” explained Ducklow. “When you feel unbalanced or overwhelmed, you need to reach out for support. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it's a sign of courage and strength. There are many resources at HFC that offer support to students, including counseling.”

The expo’s objectives include:

• Familiarizing students with resources on the HFC campus and in the community.
• Raising awareness about the diverse experiences of individuals with disabilities, including at colleges and universities.
• Reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and disabilities and encouraging a culture of belonging at HFC.

There will be interactive wellness programs, as well as mental health and wellness awareness videos. There will also be resource tables, giveaways, games, snacks, and more.

Inclusion and advocacy of individuals with disabilities is vital

"The Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo is an opportunity to celebrate disability pride," said HFC ALS Counselor Dr. Adriza Caesar. "This is our second year co-hosting this important day. During this time, we can reflect on federal disability laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504."

October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which highlights the achievements of individuals with disabilities. This year's theme is "Celebrating Value and Talent."

"Americans with disabilities have been a part of our nation’s success from the start. Beginning with our founding fathers, there are examples of how Americans with disabilities shaped our nation," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker. "This year’s theme honors the value and talent of disabled Americans, past and present. At the U.S. Department of Labor, we believe every qualified person should have the chance to work in skilled, high-demand jobs that lead to independence, economic self-sufficiency, and the American dream."

National Disability Employment Awareness Month's history traces back to 1945 when Congress designated a national week to recognize the contributions of Americans with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the commemoration to a month and designated it National Disability Employment Awareness Month to acknowledge the importance of advancing opportunities for Americans with disabilities that are visible and invisible.

"National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a month-long event, which lets us acknowledge not only the contributions of individuals with disabilities but also those who have been advocating for and championing inclusion," said Caesar. "We want students to attend and learn about resources in their community and know where to seek help, if needed. I want to encourage everyone – students, faculty, staff, and community members – to attend this expo and celebrate our diverse student population."

Contact ALS if you need accommodations

If you are an individual with a disability and require accommodations, including interpreting services, to attend and to participate in this expo, contact ALS@hfcc.edu as soon as possible before the expo.

For questions or more information about the Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo, contact Caesar at acaesar@hfcc.edu.