For Release: March 13, 2018
Contact: Marketing and Communications at 406.791.5306
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA – The disABILITY Awareness Club at University of Providence (UP) hosts its annual Disability Awareness Week March 19-24.
The week culminates with a Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The goal of the event is to raise awareness of the athletic ability of persons who use wheelchairs for mobility as well as to raise funds for accessibility improvements on campus.
“While this is a fun event for people to watch and participate in, our ultimate goal is to raise awareness,” says Kay Seilstad, disability counselor at UP. “We are hoping participants and spectators alike will better understand the ability of persons who use wheelchairs and choose to invest in this worthwhile cause.”
There is no charge to participate in the event or to attend the event as a spectator; however, there will be a free will offering. Guests will also be able to participate in a raffle and enjoy concessions.
Teams will participate in practice sessions Friday, March 23, 6-8 p.m. There will be eight teams that participate in the double-elimination tournament, including three community teams, one faculty and staff team, and four student teams. Clark Orthopedic sponsors the event by providing wheelchairs for participants.
Along with the Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Fundraiser, the community is invited to view the History of Disability display in the UP library. North Central Independent Living Services, Inc. provided the display for the university to present during Disability Awareness Week.
A Disability Awareness Forum will take place Wednesday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center Food Commons where students in the Introduction to Exceptionalities Class will moderate discussion.
A Respecting Diversity on the University of Providence Campus panel discussion with campus community members will be held on Thursday, March 22 in SUHL 10-2 from noon to 12:50 p.m.
Jerry Clark started the Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Fundraiser when he was a student at the University of Great Falls. Jerry will be a captain of a community team and can be contacted at 406-868-8567 for more information.
For more information on Disability Awareness Week or if you’re interested in playing on a wheelchair basketball team, contact Seilstad at 406-791-5212 or at kathleen.seilstad@uprovidence.edu.
The University of Providence is a private Catholic university located in Great Falls, Montana. Founded in 1932, the university includes both a School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a School of Health Professions.
