The w88 bet, Reno campus community has the opportunity to celebrate neurodiversity on campus next week with a series of events and resources. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global observance meant to challenge stereotypes about neurological differences.
According to theNeurodiversity Celebration Weekwebsite, “It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organizations, and others around the world with the opportunity to recognize the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.”
The University has aNeurodiversity Alliance, with board members who help organize events and support resources and programs on campus for students, faculty and staff.
Board members Cheyenne Magpantay, Jim Cherney, Dawn Snell and Z Li explained why this week is important. “Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an opportunity to challenge misconceptions about neurological differences and recognize the value of diverse ways of thinking, learning and experiencing the world. By fostering a more inclusive, supportive and accessible environment, we celebrate the strengths, perspectives and contributions of neurodivergent individuals while working collectively toward greater equity, understanding, and belonging—on campus and beyond,” they said.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week events
Neurodiversity Social and presentation by David White, Jr.
Monday, March 17, from 1–3 p.m. at the Joe Crowley Student Union, Great Room
- 1–2 p.m. Neurodiversity Social– Connect with fellow students, faculty, and staff while enjoying light refreshments.
- 2 p.m. Presentation by David White, Jr. – “Exploring the Vision for a Disability Cultural Center”
- David White, Jr., in collaboration with Randall Owen, Ph.D., will share insights on the proposed development of a Disability Cultural Center (DCC)—what it could look like, its potential impact and how it could serve as a resource for students.
“The Muralist”film premiere
Monday, March 17, 2025, from6 – 8 p.m. in the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, Wells Fargo Auditorium
Join us for the premiere of“The Muralist,” a documentary by Kari Barber about local artist Connor Fogal, who lives with Cerebral Palsy. The screening will be followed by a conversation with:
- Connor Fogal– artist
- Randall Owen– director, w88 bet Center for Excellence in Disabilities
- Jim Cherney– associate professor of communication studies in ableism
- Dave White, Jr. – disability access consultant
Sensory DIY: Crafting Calm and Comfort
Tuesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. in Great Basin Hall, Multipurpose Room
Hosted in collaboration with the Great Basin Hall Leadership Council, this interactive workshop invites you to explore the therapeutic benefits of sensory tools and create personalized items that support focus, relaxation and well-being.
Multiple Ways to Engage and Support Neurodivergent Students Discussion
Wednesday, March 19, from 11 a.m. – noon in the Joe Crowley Student Union, Room 323
Join Sarah Cummings, Ph.D., and Wenzhen Li, Ph.D., for a discussion on inclusive teaching strategies and best practices for supporting neurodivergent learners in academic settings.
Digital Book Display
All week, electronic access through the University Libraries
Explore a curateddigital book displayhighlighting literature on neurodiversity, accessibility and lived experiences from neurodivergent authors.
Insights from David White, Jr.
David White, Jr., is a current Ph.D. student inPh.D. in Education: w88 casino games loginand is leading the development of the state’s first higher education Disability Cultural Center. He is also a member of the University’s Neurodiversity Alliance and will be a speaker on Monday, March 17.
In his past capacities as a former Paralympic classified snowboarder and consulting facilitator with w88 bet Department of Inclusive Education, White drew from his experiences as a disabled, neurodivergent individual to work toward developing a more inclusive disability culture.
White’s passion for helping empower disabled, neurodivergent individuals is seen through his consulting services working to improve disability justice awareness for greater disability access. Whether it is through his athletics of snowboarding on the mountains and kayaking the lakes or his advocacy in the classroom, he strives to improve disability and neurodivergent awareness.
Here he answers a few questions about what this week means to him.
Q: Why do you think it’s important to celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week on campus?
A: During most of my early academic life, including parts of my undergrad, I felt ashamed of my learning disabilities. The stigmas of having learning disabilities truly hindered my ability to disclose a large part of my identity, my ability to seek out resources, and hindered my self-perception as a student. For the longest time, I thought of myself to be the only student (on a campus of over 20,000 students) who learned differently.
By celebrating neurodiversity openly on campus for not just one day but an entire week shows the true empowerment of our students at the w88 bet, Reno. We each have a story that has the power to shape others’ lives. By sharing our stories of neurodiversity, we may develop a greater community of different thinkers on our campus and beyond.
Q: What makes you feel most supported on campus?
A:On campus, what makes me feel most supported as a neurodiverse student is twofold, converging in the power of support: First, I personally feel supported by staff-particularly the Disability Resource Center. I feel the staff at the Disability Resource Center including my disability advisor truly know who I am as a person before student. I feel heard and seen by the Disability Resource Center, allowing for my pride in disability to flourish. Second, I feel most supported by my academic advisor. I feel my advisor has provided space for me to disclose my neurodiversity, allowing me to embrace a part of my identity I kept hidden for most of my academic career.
Q: How has being part of the Alliance changed your perspective or life?
A: Before transferring to the University more than a decade ago, I attended a university where I felt alone with my learning disabilities, unable to disclose a major part of my identity. After transferring to the w88 bet, Reno, I grew to realize I was not alone in learning differently and began finding my pride in my neurodiverse brain. Now, a decade later and working on my Ph.D., I am amazed at how far neurodiversity pride has flourished on our campus, with large thanks to the work of the Neurodiversity Alliance.
Q: What do you wish people would know about neurodiversity?
A: You are not alone with neurodiversity, with 1 in 5 people having a neurodiverse diagnosis.
