Munroe-Meyer experts take part in UNO presentation

Sarah Swanson

The Munroe-Meyer Institute will collaborate with Inclusive Communities, Special Olympics Nebraska and the University of Nebraska at Omaha Office on Disability to host a community conversation on “Ability, Disability & Identity.”

The event will be held today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, OPPD Dialogue Rooms 1 and 2, at 6001 Dodge St.

Omaha Table Talk is an Inclusive Communities’ program which creates a safe place where people can participate in open and honest dialogues
about their ideas and beliefs associated with race, faith, gender, and all forms of diversity.

JaToya McIntosh

Sarah Swanson, a consumer and family program specialist at MMI and one of the event’s facilitators, calls Omaha Table Talk an excellent way to highlight issues many people wouldn’t even consider.

“For instance, individuals with disabilities have very high rates of unemployment, yet most people with disabilities want to work,” Swanson said. “Most individuals with even the most significant disabilities can work — they just might need some accommodations.”

JaToya McIntosh, an AmeriCorps member at MMI, also will take part in the event, sharing her perspective as a person with a progressive, genetic condition called spastic paraplegia, a hereditary condition.

Kathy Hoell

Kathy Hoell, executive director of the Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council, also will participate in the discussion.

For more information regarding Inclusive Communities
or the Omaha Table Talk programming, click here.

Tonight’s Table Talk programming will provide opportunities for people to share how our visible and non-visible abilities shape our experiences in the Omaha community. The event is open to the public (age 15 or older) and is wheelchair accessible. Additionally, American Sign Language interpreters will be present.