Celebrating Disability Awareness Month 2025
Each October, we honor Disability Awareness Month, which has a deep-rooted connection to UC Berkeley as a birthplace of the disability rights movement.
We also celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), recognizing the value and contributions of people with disabilities within our community and beyond. This year's NDEAM theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” reinforces our commitment to creating inclusive environments where all individuals—students, staff, faculty, and community members—can thrive and have access to meaningful opportunities, both on campus and in the broader workforce.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law protecting the rights of people with disabilities. In a related first, Berkeley created a Campus Disability Strategic Plan, submitted by the Campus Advisory Council on Disability and Accessibility Planning. It is the first such plan in the University of California system.
Our campus continues to be a leader in advocating for the rights of disabled people, thanks to the tireless activism of disabled students, faculty and staff and the allyship of the broader Berkeley community. Together, we uphold Berkeley’s proud tradition of fostering inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all.
Spotlight: Disability Justice Hub
Despite the significant progress made by the disability rights movement over the past few decades, many groups remain excluded from fair access and representation. We invite you to learn about different types of disabilities, broaden your understanding of disability, and explore Disability Justice. Together, we can all take steps to combat ableism and foster a more inclusive and thriving community.
Student Orgs and Advocacy Groups
Student Resources
Staff and Faculty Resources
- Academic Personnel Office | Disability Accommodations, Duty Modification, Leaves
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Office for Disability Access & Compliance UC Berkeley Training Bundle
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Disability Reasonable Accommodation Program (supports disabled staff & campus units)
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Faculty supports related to proactive pedagogy design to support students with disabilities:
General Resources
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Inclusive Recreation provides adaptive movement, accessible workout spaces, and equitable wellness opportunities for underserved populations, including people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and BIPOC.
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Schedule a 45-minute appointment session to information about the various adaptive equipment, an overview of the inclusive programs available information on free Personal Training Opportunities: inclusive.rec@berkeley.edu.
Read and Watch
Events
Find Disability Events throughout the year.
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August 13–November 23, 2025: MATRIX 287 / Berenice Olmedo: To ti ên einai. Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. “There is no stigma of disability in the world I propose, but only variations of existence, variations of movement, variations on slowness and speed.”
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October 2, 2025 from 4-8 pm: Honoring Your Wellness in High-Stress Environments with Mayor Ishii
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October 7, 2025: “Disability Intimacy,” Book Chat with Alice Wong
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October 8, 2025 at 1pm: Reframing Accommodations: DSP Faculty Liaisons' Reflections on Inclusive Teaching
- October 13, 2025 from 1-3pm via Zoom: UC Berkeley Disability Community Town Hall.
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October 14, 2025 from 1-5 pm: Disabled Makers’ Market
- October 22, 2025 from 5-7pm: Career Engagement Celebrates National Disability Employment & Awareness Month - Professional Vibe Check: Assessing Disability Culture in the Workplace
- October 22, 2025 from 1-2:15pm on Zoom: School of Information Webinar - Strengthening Disability-Inclusive Technology Policymaking
- October 27, 2025 from 5-6:45pm: DSP Alumni Mixer: Business Vibe Check
- October 29, 2025 from 2:30–5:30pm: Beyond the Frame: Amplifying Disability Stories
- November 3, 2025 at 4pm: Matrix on Point: Spaces for Thriving
Research
Task Forces/Advisory Bodies
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Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Disability Access and Planning (CACDAP)
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IT Accessibility Policy Advisory Committee - Completing an implementation and document to guide digital accessibility advances on campus
About the Loop
The Loop is a free on-campus ride for disability access. It is a service that provides free rides for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. Rides run from 7:45am-10pm during the fall and spring semesters, with extended hours during special events. The service offers about 120 rides per day with a five-minute average wait time, 37 stops, and student drivers operating three carts during peak hours. Contact and request details are listed at loop.berkeley.edu, access@berkeley.edu, and (510) 643-6456.
Invisible Disabilities
Invisible disabilities, such as chronic illnesses or mental health conditions, often go unnoticed but can significantly impact workplace experiences. At Berkeley, the Disability Management program is committed to fostering inclusivity, offering resources, training, and support for faculty and staff navigating these challenges. Learn about reasonable accommodations, workers' compensation, and available workshops to better understand and support invisible disabilities in the workplace.
Learn more about Invisible Disabilities and Disability Management
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