David Brandt
academic services coordinator, 308.865.8798
Musician, motivational speaker and television personality Mark Goffeney will perform as a part of Disability Awareness Week on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Goffeney, born with no arms, performs music known as “Big Toe Music” with his guitar. He will perform in the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room at 7 p.m. An active musician and humorist, he travels the world playing and speaking to audiences, including college campuses. His role in the Fox commercial “Feet” earned him an Emmy Award nomination. This event is free and open to the public.
The 18th annual Disabilities Awareness Week will open Monday, Nov. 14, with the Annual Ability March beginning at Cope Fountain from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
“This march is to increase awareness and show support for all students at UNK,” said David Brandt, UNK coordinator of Academic Services.
Also on Monday, Discover Success Through Magnified Abilities will be held. A panel of past students will discuss their success before, during and after higher education. The event will be in Copeland Hall Room 130 at 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Center for Teaching Excellence will hold Supporting Students with Aspergers in Higher Education from 11:30-1 p.m. in the Communications Center Room 101. A panel of experts will discuss some of the challenges faced in the classroom and in student housing when accommodating a student with Aspergers Syndrome. Presenters will include Dr. Linda Crowe, communication disorders department chair; Dr. Joseph Benz, professor, Department of Psychology; Dr. Tony Earls, director, residence life; and Brandt.
At 2 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union Cedar Room, a panel of students and Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska Joann Harris will discuss what it means to them to have a disability in an educational environment.
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, there will be a student presentation on spina bifida. A UNK student will share the story of his life with spina bifida. He will speak at 2 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union Cedar Room. Also on Wednesday, the movie “Music Within” will be shown in Copeland Hall Room 130 from 7-9 p.m. Starring Ron Livingston, this film is based on the true story of Richard Pimkental. After Pimkental was deafened by a bomb blast in Vietnam, he returned home and discovered his lifelong calling: helping others with disabilities, including his fellow veterans.
