The University of Toledo is helping promote equal opportunity for success and prosperity among the nation’s boys and young men of color by hosting the My Brother’s Keeper summit.

The summit is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 9 in the Thompson Student Union Auditorium.

“The purpose of the summit is to bring together local service providers, elected officials and faith leaders to discuss and jointly identify issues that negatively affect African-American and Latino males in Lucas County,” said Dr. Willie McKether, UT vice president for diversity and inclusion. “We ultimately want to identify programs that are providing needed services, determine if there are overlapping services, opportunities for collaboration, and, importantly, gaps in service offerings for this population.”

Charles Noble, who helped establish My Brother’s Keeper in Columbus, Ohio, will be the keynote speaker. Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson also is scheduled to attend.

Members of the Toledo community are invited to attend, specifically social service providers and community leaders.

“Attendees will benefit because they will participate in our early efforts to collectively identify ways to help African-American and Latino males survive and develop in our communities,” McKether said.

Participants are asked to register by Monday, March 6 at utoledo.edu/diversity/brothers-keeper.

The My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge encourages cities, towns and counties to implement a coherent cradle-to-college-and-career strategy for improving the life outcomes of all young people to ensure that they can reach their full potential, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances into which they are born.

The University of Toledo Libraries in partnership with Student Disability Services and the UT Disability Studies Program is shining the spotlight on adult autism through a month-long program of free, public events beginning Thursday, March 16 ahead of Autism Awareness Month in April.

UT teamed up with Bittersweet Farms and the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio to focus on challenges adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder face as they transition out of high school and into the community, including housing, employment, health care, transportation, financial management and social and leisure supports.

“Life on the Autism Spectrum: Home and Community” features a four-part lecture series, an art show of works created by adults with autism, and a fundraiser.

“University Libraries is excited to continue our work with organizations assisting those on the autism spectrum in northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Floyd, interim director of University Libraries and director of the Canaday Center for Special Collections. “The Canaday Center has worked with both Bittersweet Farms and the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio for more than a decade to collect, preserve and make available the records that document the history of these two groups. The records of these two organizations are part of a larger effort by the Canaday Center to document the lives of people with disabilities in our community.”

More than 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

“The autism spectrum is large,” Jessica Morales, assistant professor and collection management librarian at UT, said. “We want to raise understanding, empathy and patience.”

According to local experts, research on autism and the development of services and support have largely focused on children, and people with autism have the lowest employment rate of all disability groups.

“As the prevalence of autism has increased and the population has aged, communities and governments are beginning to look at the needs of older adults on the autism spectrum,” said Linell Weinberg, executive director of the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. “Housing will be an issue for individuals as they age. Some individuals can live on their own, but many will need some level of support.”

“My stepson Ben is 33 years old but his functional intelligence is around the age of seven or eight,” said Thomas Atwood, associate professor and coordinator of information literacy and library instruction at UT. “He is very sweet, but doesn’t have the critical thinking skills to make rational decisions to keep himself safe. This is a very vulnerable population who often cannot speak for themselves and feel trapped on the inside.”

Ben DeVorss, who is one of the speakers in the lecture series, lives at Bittersweet Farms located on 80 acres of fields, pastures, gardens and woods in Whitehouse, Ohio. It’s renowned for redefining what is possible by creating and providing services for adults with autism that allow them to find meaning and dignity in the activities they do. Bittersweet’s agriculture, art and culinary programs produce products that are sold in the community.

“We provide self-paced, distraction-free activities, such as planting, harvesting, art education, animal care, grounds keeping, vocation and therapy, that participants perceive as meaningful work and feel a reinforced sense of dignity and worth,” said Vicki Obee, executive director of Bittersweet Farms. “We are thrilled that UT’s Carlson Library is sharing Bittersweet’s story and the story of adults with autism in northwest Ohio. We hope that our community – through the artwork, artifacts and lecture – will see the amazing spirit and beauty of those we serve at Bittersweet.”

“We have roughly 30 students at UT with autism who are registered with Student Disability Services, and there are likely more on campus,” Enjie Hall, director of campus accessibility and student disability services, said. “The difficulty is that many students choose not to register or do not know to affiliate with Student Disability Services, so it is hard to get an accurate count of students with autism at UT. We are committed to removing barriers and strive for full inclusion, therefore universal design will help all students whether they are registered with Student Disability Services or not.”

Events in the month-long adult autism programming include:

Thursday, March 16

• Bittersweet Farms lecture by executive director Vicki Obee, board member Jane Atwood and resident Ben DeVorss titled “Neurodiversity and Community Synergies: The Efficacy of Bittersweet Farms and Preserving a Spectrum of Choices for Adults with Autism,” from 7 to 9 p.m. on the fifth floor of Carlson Library.
• Bittersweet Farms fundraiser featuring artwork and crafts created by Bittersweet residents, from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first floor concourse of Carlson Library.

Wednesday, March 22

• Lecture by Linell Weinburg, executive director of the Northwest Ohio Autism Society, and Kristy Rothe, chair of the Family Advisory Council at ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital, titled “Creating a Compassionate Community: A Dialogue for Autism,” from noon to 1 p.m. in Carlson Library Room 1005.

Thursday, March 30

• Lecture by Enjie Hall, director of campus accessibility and student disability services, and Dr. Jim Ferris, UT professor and Ability Center Endowed Chair in Disability Studies, titled “Autism, Culture and Higher Education,” 11 a.m. in Carlson Library Room 1005.

Thursday, April 6

• Two visiting scholars, who are professors with autism, will give a lecture titled “Autistic People Speak Back: A Conversation with Professors Ibby Grace and Melanie Yergeau.” Dr. Melanie Yergeau, assistant professor of English at the University of Michigan, and Dr. Elizabeth Grace, assistant professor of education at National Louis University, will speak 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 6 in Carlson Library Room 1005.

An exhibit of Bittersweet artwork, artifacts, photos and murals will be on display from Sunday, March 12 through Thursday, April 6 on the fifth floor of Carlson Library. Library materials relevant to the series of lecture topics also will be on display during that same period.

“The library is the perfect place to start an important dialogue about the wide range and abilities of persons from the entire spectrum of autism disorders and take an in-depth look at resources and services available to help them live independently, whether it be through employment, higher education or support programs,” David Remaklus, director of operations at Carlson Library, said.

More than 200,000 cases of lymphedema are reported in the U.S. every year, but many women still do not receive proper instruction on how to manage the disease.

“It can be developed at any time,” said Renee Schick, breast cancer survivor and manager of Renee’s Survivor Shop in the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer on The University of Toledo Health Science Campus. “Mine started about six years after my surgery and treatments.”

Lymphedema is a chronic, incurable disease that results from the lack of lymphatic drainage, causing swelling of the extremities. The condition is most often caused by lymph node removal or damage due to cancer treatment, and it may lead to disfigurement if the person affected does not commit to long-term self-care.

The public is invited to learn more about the disease and products to help manage the condition on World Lymphedema Day at Renee’s Survivor Shop.

The event will be open-house style from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 6.

“Jobst representatives will have a display of new compression products, compression bras, lymphedema bracelets, swell spots and more,” Schick said. “We will have a lymphedema therapist at the event between 2 and 4:30 p.m. to answer questions.”

While the uncomfortable symptoms associated with the disease sometimes go unnoticed, Schick warns of the dangers of letting lymphedema go untreated.

“Lymphedema is a condition that can be managed,” she said. “If it is not managed, it will continue to get worse and could have major complications.”

The 2017 Toledo Women in Leadership Symposium is one of the events taking place at the University in March in honor of Women’s History Month.

UT is hosting the program that will be presented by the National Diversity Council from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 8 in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room.

“The National Diversity Council is hosting 37 of these events across the nation in March during Women’s History Month,” Jennifer Pizio, diversity and inclusion associate director in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, said. “Our symposium is being held on International Women’s Day.”

“Be Fearless: Influence, Innovate and Inspire” is the theme of this year’s event.

“This symposium will bring together several local women leaders who will share their diverse experiences,” Pizio said.

Dr. Michele Soliz, UT assistant vice president for student success and inclusion, will represent the University and participate in a panel discussion on “The Difference ‘Difference’ Makes — Double Minority Leadership.”

“It is a privilege to represent UT and to speak about my experience as a Latina,” Soliz said. “I’m looking forward to discussing how my intersectionality has helped me to be successful.”

Other panel topics are “Transforming the Rules of Engagement”; “Pioneering Pay Equity: Strategies to Bridge the Gap, Own Your Value, and Negotiate Your Worth”; “Women on the Web: Leveraging Social Media as a Means to Success”; “Leading With Authenticity: Strategies for Success With Your Own Leadership Style”; “Switching Your Career When Life Calls for a U-Turn”; “Reviving Your Career: Actionable Steps to Achieve a Professional Renaissance”; and “The Power of No: Defining Your Impact as a Leader.”

For more information on the symposium, click here or email kelsea.haught@nationaldiversitycouncil.org.

The cost to attend the program is $99. Register online at nationaldiversitycouncilregistration.org/oh/wil.

Listed by date, other UT events scheduled for Women’s History Month include:

Thursday, March 2

• Lunch and Conversation on “Honoring and Celebrating Women’s Contributions to Society,” noon, Office of Multicultural Student Success, Thompson Student Union Room 2500.

Thursday, March 9

• Women in Surgery Mentorship Mixer, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Social Gastropub at the Gateway, 1440 Secor Road. Dr. Francis Brunicardi, UT professor and chair of surgery, will give a presentation on leadership. The event is hosted by the UT medical student chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons and the UT Department of Surgery. Female residents, attendings and medical students who aspire to pursue a career in surgery are welcome.

Tuesday, March 14

• Lecture by Carrie Fleming, 9:30 a.m., Health and Human Services Building Room 1711. The UT alumna founded Fleming Therapy Services Inc., which provides pediatric speech, occupational and physical therapy in five cities in Virginia.

Wednesday, March 15

• Women’s History Trivia and Photo Booth, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thompson Student Union.
• Screening and Discussion of “Balancing the Scales,” 5:30 p.m., Law Center McQuade Law Auditorium. Sharon Rowen, producer of the documentary that examines women in the legal profession, will be joined by retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice and UT alumna Judith Ann Lanzinger and Judge Denise Page Hood of the Eastern District of Michigan to talk after the film. The free, public event is sponsored by the Toledo Women’s Bar Association and the Toledo Women Lawyers History Project.

Wednesday, March 22

• “Being Mary Willing Byrd: Race, Property and Widowhood in Revolutionary Virginia,” 12:10 p.m., Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women, Tucker Hall Room 0152. Dr. Ami Pflugrad-Jackisch, UT associate professor of history, will discuss her research on Byrd’s experiences before and after the American Revolution and offer insights into the construction of the gendered and racial hierarchies that defined life in the American South. Space is limited for the free talk; reserve a spot by calling the Eberly Center at 419.530.8570.

• Screening and Discussion of “The Trials of Spring,” 7 p.m., Driscoll Alumni Center Auditorium. The film tells the story of 21-year-old Hend Nafea, who traveled from her village to Cairo, where she advocated with thousands of Egyptians for the end of military rule. She was arrested, beaten and tortured by security forces. After her release, Nafea was shunned by her family for bringing shame to their name. The film will be followed by a conversation with Nafea; moderators will be Dr. Renee Heberle, UT professor of political science, and Dr. Asma Abdel Halim, UT associate professor and chair of women’s and gender studies. The free event will start at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments. Sponsors for the event are the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies; School of Interdisciplinary Studies; Office of Diversity and Inclusion; Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women; Program in Law and Social Thought; and Office of Student Services. For more information, call 419.530.2233.

Monday, March 27

• An Evening With Dr. Tonya Matthews, 6 p.m., Nitschke Hall Room 1027. Matthews is president and CEO of the Michigan Science Center in Detroit; she was selected by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan in 2016. The free talk is sponsored by We Are STEMM, the Office of Multicultural Student Success, African American Initiatives and NaturalHAIRitage.

Tuesday, March 28

• “The Invisibility of Lesbians and Trans Women in History,” 6 p.m., Thompson Student Union Room 2591.
• The Association of the Advancement of African-American Women’s Empowerment Gala, 7:30 p.m., Thompson Student Union Ingman Room.