Disability Awareness Week 2025

March 31 – April 4

Please save the date and join us for the following events.
All events are open to the USF Community.

USF accommodates individuals with disabilities. If you need a disability-related accommodation or wheelchair access information for any Disability Awareness Week events, please contact Rocelyn Evens.

Disability Visibility Art Submissions

Photo of a painting with a bright red background and black shadows of people connected through root-like branches

"DANCE OF DOPAMINERGIA." c. 2021. 20"x20" acrylic on canvas. An ILLUCIDATE original, by ALIEN DAYDREAMS (aka Ananth Das). Physical work is available in San Francisco.

Created shortly after they were formally diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 21, "DANCE OF DOPAMINERGIA." reflects Ananth Das' (creating through their artistic identity ILLUCIDATE, as part of their artistic collective ALIEN DAYDREAMS) exploration of their identity as a person with disabilities. What lies beneath the visible layer of the painting is a rather grim self-portrait of Ananth---painted during a period in which they felt their spirit being crushed by society's demands. Many of which were demands for them to subject themselves to medications and false truths in order to obey the "rhythm" of our current world order. The visible layer represents ILLUCIDATE's embrace of spirit, with their appraisal that their "disordered" rhythm is the rhythm of the universe---a true embodiment of the natural chaos and entropy of the cosmos. Inspired by their Bachelor's in Neuroscience, Ananth creates their own portrayal of their brain--a chaotic entaglement of neurons that are paradoxically engaged in a spontaneous dance of beauty. Dopaminergia refers to the action of neurons that release/respond to the neurotransmitter dopamine---these dopaminergic circuits are hypothesized to be "disordered/impaired" in Ananth's brain (and the brains of those with ADHD). The sides of the canvas are inscribed with uplifting messages from spirit to self, prompting a perspective shift of belonging and empowerment, rather than feelings of inadequacy and helplessness that accompanied their ADHD diagnosis.

Created By
Ananth Das, PsyD Clinical Psychology, Class of 2029

Collage of a human head with multiple layered profiles and highlighted yellow nerves, surrounded by brain scan images.

Created By
Alex Gerwe, Marketing, Class of 2025

A collage of four patterned human silhouettes with handwritten messages about invisible disabilities.

Created By
Sofia Fontana, Sociology, Class of 2026

A collage on blue paper with yellow stars, red shapes, a white piece of paper, and a silver pushpin. Transcribed text: AREN'T YOU HAVING FUN?

PRESSURE POINT
Created By
Egan Walker, English/Fine Arts, Class of 2026

plastic & metal.
plastic and metal:
Me and my crutch go everywhere together
we walk arm in arm
Me and my crutch are best friends
we made each other friendship bracelets
Me and my crutch are the same thing
help!
Me and my crutch are completely different
don’t touch me!
Me and my crutch hate each other
I don’t want to use it
Me and my crutch well...
We have a complicated relationship
Me and my crutch.
So what does that mean?
Am I really disabled?
Do I need it?
Am I gaslighting myself??
am i faking?
no sweetie no I’m supposed to help you!
No, nononono
Me and my crutch?

That’s my protector
It keeps me from falling
That’s my everything
That’s my lifeline
But my crutch?
It’s just plastic and metal.
crunch.

Created By
Theo Chapin, Psychology, Class of 2025

Created By
Julie Tavanti, Biology, Class of 2026

Disability Visibility Discussion and Showcase

Friday, April 4 | 2–4 p.m. | Intercultural Center (UC 411/412)

To conclude Disability Awareness Week, please join us for a discussion and showcase of our Disability Visibility submissions. Snacks and beverages will be provided, and the first five attendees will receive a free copy of Disability Visibility by Alice Wong! All are welcome.

Three book covers: Camouflage by Sarah Bargiela, Stitches: A Memoir by David Small, and Marbles by Ellen Forney

Disability Awareness Display in Gleeson Library

Throughout Disability Awareness Week, we invite you to check out the Disability Awareness display in Gleeson Library, showcasing resources on disability history, culture, and identity that are available in the library’s collections.