The theme for the daylong event at the University of Maine at Farmington will be “Disability and Diversity.”

FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington’s Rehabilitation Club will host an Awareness Day on Thursday, April 10. This year the theme is “Disability and Diversity.” There will be speakers on the diverse aspects of disability throughout the day from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Keynote speaker John Nelson will be present at 1 p.m. in the North Dining Hall A, in the Olsen Student Center. The event is free and the public is welcome.

Nelson is a regional rehabilitation program specialist for the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education in Boston, Mass. He will be discussing his personal story of accomplishments as well as the therapeutic activities he engages in for people with disabilities.

Nelson will also be giving a workshop on vocation prospects of rehabilitation at 10 a.m. in North Dining Hall B in the Olsen Student Center.

There will be more than 20 agencies from the state that will display booths to publicize the purpose and offerings of the agencies. Some of the agencies attending will be Community Correctional Alternatives Inc. of Farmington, Maine Handicapped Skiing of Newry and Strong Nursing Home of Farmington.

Presentations that will be demonstrated will focus on the rehabilitation field. The Mikendelin Marionette and Puppet Theatre will perform a show titled “Children of the World” at 10 a.m. Students from Skowhegan Area Middle School will be demonstrating a performance on the therapeutic benefits of African drumming at 9 a.m. Susan Schelle and Elena Kohot will be directing a dance ability piece and discussing the benefits of dance and movement at 2 p.m. There will also be presentations given by UMF students on different topics within the rehabilitation arena.

The Rehabilitation Club is made up of college professionals who educate the UMF campus and surrounding communities to all aspects of disability.

The UMF program educates prospective human service professionals on the numerous aspects of disability. The program integrates classroom experience with fieldwork with people who have emotional, cognitive, physical or social disabilities to help them adapt to their environment.

For more information on Awareness Day, contact Rehabilitation Club President Amber Gilbert at [email protected] or 778-7900; or Dr. Jewel Jones, assistant professor of Rehabilitation Services and advisor to the club at [email protected], or 778-7283.