OlaRose Ndubuisi ’29 knows from experience that disability looks different for everyone and the challenges a person is facing privately may not always be readily visible to those around them.

The first-year student, who is dual majoring in biology and journalism, has spent the last several years transforming some of the hardest experiences of her life into poetry, advocacy and community. Her poetry, which documented her own journey with scoliosis with raw honesty and hope, earned her the title of New York State Youth Poet Laureate for 2024-2025.

Ndubuisi, who is a Coronat Scholar and in the , is passionate about encouraging others to use creative outlets to positively express their own emotions and challenges. That will be the focus of an April 17 event hosted by the Disability Cultural Center,

Ndubuisi will discuss navigating her own experiences as a student with disabilities, including being born as a one-pound premature infant, having unilateral hearing loss and being diagnosed with severe scoliosis.

Ndubuisi says it means a lot to her to speak during Disability Pride Month.

“After reading a poem about my own scoliosis journey, I’m going to show students how to use creative outlets to positively express themselves, their emotions and how we all can face our own invisible challenges by leading a fun writing and art workshop,” she says.

Resiliency and Creativity After a Diagnosis

As a kid, Ndubuisi thought the medical challenges she experienced from being born prematurely, including unilateral hearing loss in her right ear, a perforated esophagus and weak muscles, would be the hardest experiences of her life.

“Despite all of that, I played the piano and I was able to play tennis despite my hearing loss,” she says. “I’m able to recite poetry, compose my own music.”

But when Ndubuisi was 14, she says her world turned upside down when she went to the doctor for a routine checkup. She wanted to get cleared to play on her school’s tennis team, but when she mentioned to a stand-in doctor that she had been experiencing bursts of pain and that she felt she was shorter than her peers, the pediatrician decided to screen her for scoliosis and ordered an X-ray.

The results showed severe scoliosis—an S-shaped curvature of the spine, with her lower curve measuring in the surgical range. For the next year and a half, she wore a brace 22 to 23 hours a day and attended physical therapy and yoga every week. The pain was constant, and she often felt isolated from her peers.

“I was able to use writing, art and music to positively express my emotions and cope with my pain, turning my pain into something beautiful and relatable,” she says.

At the age of 15, Ndubuisi underwent vertebral body tethering surgery, but complications left her with more pain than before. She used a wheelchair for five months as she recovered from the surgery, and she had to miss the second half of her 10th grade year.

“I’m proud of my resilience and that I was able to work really hard and maintain all A’s, and I was able to go back to school for 11th grade and the rest of high school,” Ndubuisi says.

An occupational therapist recommended a music therapist, who introduced Ndubuisi to music composition software during those difficult times. She now has more than 100 original compositions and has released several on Spotify.

From Personal Pain to Public Advocacy

Her experience with scoliosis inspired her to establish the (FiSK) Project, a nonprofit focused on awareness, education and support. Ndubuisi created an educational survey that has reached more than 25 states and 19 countries, and a T-shirt fundraiser featuring her artwork and lines from her poetry raised more than $5,000 to support free scoliosis screening in underserved communities.

Back home in the Rochester, New York, area, she founded a FiSK Club at her high school, running writing and art workshops, organizing music concerts and creating space for students to talk openly about invisible struggles.

The work Ndubuisi does with FiSK has dovetailed with her advocacy as New York State Youth Poet Laureate. In that role, she has led workshops for young people across the greater Rochester area and has been a featured reader at literary events statewide, including a headlining appearance at a poetry reading tied to artist at the Guggenheim Museum.

She also hopes people learn from her own experiences that the challenges or difficulties you face “don’t have to negatively affect the trajectory of your life.”

“Scoliosis has been a really difficult and painful challenge for me, but it’s also shaped me into who I am,” she says. “It’s definitely made me even more resilient and strong, even more compassionate through meeting other kids with scoliosis and being able to share my story.”

takes place April 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barner-McDuffie House.

, means something different to everyone as it celebrates individuals embracing their full identities, including disabilities. In the pursuit of recognizing the intersectionality and diversity within disability, honoring and educating about the experiences of people with disabilities, the campus community is encouraged to participate in a variety of events.

“Disability Pride Week, which centers on the voices and perspectives of disabled people, reflects the collaborative effort of multiple units on campus. We have been meeting for months to brainstorm, plan and operationalize a full week of events celebrating disability identity, culture and pride. This collaboration mirrors the collective responsibility we all need to take to ensure our campus is moving toward greater accessibility and inclusivity for all members of our community,” says , director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion.

Disability Pride Week 2024 Events

“Through inclusive programming with campus and community partners the Disability Cultural Center fosters personal growth and positive disability identity that builds a sense of belonging, fosters academic self-efficacy and aligns with Syracuse University’s Academic Strategic Plan framework to advance excellence for every member of our community,” says “, director of the Disability Cultural Center. “Alongside campus partners, we challenge ableist attitudes, inaccessibility, discrimination and stereotypes, through programming that directly connects students, faculty and staff to the disability community at large both on and off campus.”

A variety of events will be hosted April 14-20 including:

• Sunday, April 14:
• Monday, April 15:
• Monday, April 15:
• Tuesday, April 16:
• Wednesday, April 17:
• Friday, April 19:
• Saturday, April 20:

Visit the for a complete list of events and details.

Disability Pride Week Keynote Speaker Ali Stroker

The campus community is invited to join keynote speaker Ali Stroker, Tuesday, April 16, starting with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The is required to attend.

Stroker is a trailblazing actress, singer and activist who made history as the first wheelchair user to appear on Broadway. Her powerful performance in “Oklahoma!” earned her a Tony Award for best featured actress in a musical. Stroker is an inspirational speaker who uses her platform to advocate for greater representation and inclusion of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry and beyond. Stroker’s keynotes draw from her own courageous journey, sharing insights on overcoming barriers, building confidence and embracing one’s authentic self. Her remarkable story and uplifting messages have motivated people of all backgrounds to redefine what’s possible.

To learn more and for year-round resources, please visit the following websites: , , , , and the in the Burton Blatt Institute.

Story by Student Experience Communications Graduate Assistant Kalaya Sibley ‘24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications  

Syracuse University is recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, and there are several events taking place on campus and virtually. These opportunities enhance awareness of and support for our disabled community on campus in employment, education, culture and beyond.

Hosted by the , the , the , the , and the , these events follow the highly successful on Oct. 3.

“The events we have highlighted this month showcase the disabled experience in college and beyond, and also deliver resources to faculty and staff on how to create a truly inclusive campus,” says , professor of inclusive education and director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion.

“We are fortunate to have a strong coalition of offices, centers and institutes at Syracuse working every day to bring more awareness, opportunities and resources.”

The campus community is invited to engage in all opportunities, including the following events:

Oct. 10, 3-4 p.m. EDT
Location: Virtual (See event details)

Oct. 12, 9-9:15 a.m.
Location: 347 Hinds Hall

Oct. 13, 3:30-5 p.m.
Location: 306 Steele Hall

Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m.
Whitman School of Management, Milton Room 411

Oct. 19, 9-10:15 a.m.
101 Crouse-Hinds Hall

Oct. 24, 2-3:15 p.m. EDT
Virtual

Oct. 26, 9-10:15 a.m.
247 Crouse-Hinds Hall

For more information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy .

For more information about accessibility and varied disability programs, services and resources at Syracuse University, visit .

Reclaiming disability as diversity through education and advocacy is the theme for the second annual Disability Pride week, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. From April 17-22, the University will celebrate people embracing their full identities, including disabilities, which can mean something different to everyone.

“It is exciting once again for Syracuse University to host a  during Disability Pride week. We will come together to honor the lived experience of disability and disability identity as a proud part of our full and diverse identities,” says William Myhill, director of disability access and ADA coordinator in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The campus community is invited to participate in a variety of events, both on-campus and virtual, coordinated by the ,��,��, and the  in the Burton Blatt Institute to celebrate and learn from people with disabilities and their lived experiences.

The featured event on Wednesday, April 19, will be , Eddie Ndopu, described by Time magazine as “one of the most powerful disabled people on the planet.”  Ndopu is perhaps best known for his human rights advocacy with respect to advancing disability justice at the forefront of the international development agenda.

Some of the other events featured during this week include the following:

• Sunday, April 16: 
• Wednesday, April 19: 
• Wednesday, April 19: 
• Friday, April 21: 

“Disability Pride Week is a brilliant way for disabled students, staff and faculty to build community on campus, while simultaneously raising awareness for unaware nondisabled individuals,” says Alexis Wilner ’24, a drama major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and a member of the disability event planning committee. “As a disabled student myself, I value the presence of such an event supported by University offices and organizations. Rather than simply saying that the University supports marginalized individuals, this is one of many ways that they have shown a commitment to accessibility and inclusion.”

“By attending and participating in Disability Pride Week events, we hope that members of our campus community develop a strong understanding of disability culture and recognize how vital disabled students’ sense of community and culture are to their positive identity formation,” says Carrie Ingersoll-Wood, director of the Disability Cultural Center. “By participation in events, we hope that our community members come to understand that by building a diverse, inclusive and vibrant campus, they will set a trajectory for celebrating and validating disability as global citizens in their future professional career spaces.”

In addition to the events planned for Disability Pride Week, the University community can visit the on the first floor of the Schine Student Center, for a schedule of events and information on campus resources related to disability, access and inclusion. Free T-shirts and other giveaways will also be available for those who stop by.

“We will be showing clips from current and historical videos related to disability pride and history,” says Christine Ashby, director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion in the School of Education. “Visitors will be invited to add a message or image to a legacy book we are creating to honor Judy Heumann and her leadership in disability rights advocacy and activism.” Heumann, who passed away on March 4, 2023, was an author, disability rights leader, founder of the World Institute on Disability, former assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, former special advisor on disability rights for the U.S. State Department, and subject of the documentary “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.”

For more information and for resources that are available year-round, visit and the and for upcoming events.

InclusiveU faculty, staff and students journeyed to Albany, New York, on Feb. 8 to advocate with other colleges and universities from across New York state as part of a “Student Empowerment Day” urging increased state funding for higher education disability services.

In partnership with the University’s ,�� and , —part of the —brought more than 40 representatives to this full-day event. The Syracuse University team visited the Senate Chamber as guests of Sen. Rachel May (D-48).

“The trip to Albany was monumental on several levels,” says , Lawrence B. Taishoff Assistant Professor of Inclusive Education, Taishoff Center executive director and head of the . “Not only was it an opportunity to join with colleges and universities from across the state to advocate for much needed funds for disability in higher education, it also gave our students a chance to make the connection between what we do at Syracuse and how this all fits into a larger structure and goal.”

Lawmakers, led by Assemblymember Harvey Epstein (D-74) and Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-26), introduced a resolution memorializing Feb. 8 as Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day in the State of New York.

Among the budget priorities the students advocated for are $13 million in state funding for , supporting access and inclusion of all New Yorkers with disabilities in higher education and , expanding financial aid options for college students with intellectual disabilities and making aid sources—such as the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)—accessible for these students.

To honor and celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Syracuse University and the Southeast ADA Center are holding a hybrid presentation, “Why No One Has To Be Normal Anymore,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 1.

, the University Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach at the , will honor contemporary disability culture, delivering a presentation addressing the less-than-nuanced history of normalcy and how such a concept has been constructed from the Victorian era until modern times.

A panel discussion featuring University faculty, staff and students will follow, addressing the topic of disability arts and culture.

The talk will occur on campus in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons in Bird Library, and online via Zoom. . American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided, and light refreshments will be served.

“If the history of disability teaches us anything, it’s that disability life stands for freedom and not oppression,” Kuusisto says.

This free event is sponsored by the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach and the in the Burton Blatt Institute, with the support of the , the , Atrocity Studies, the , the , the and .

International Day of Persons with Disabilities was originally proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly to promote an understanding of disability issues around the globe while increasing awareness of how the inclusion of disabled people in every aspect of life benefits everyone.

The alternative rock band Tijuana Danger Dogs will perform at the Underground in Schine Student Center on Friday, Nov. 4, for the first-ever .

Hosted by the , RockAbility was born from DCC director goal to host an event that both appealed to everyone on campus and helped destigmatize disability by centering disability as diversity. RockAbility will feature both live music from the and an opportunity for campus community members to learn more about disability culture.

Before the show, there will be a one-on-one discussion with the band members at 7 p.m. in the Underground. Doors for the show open at 8 p.m., with the concert running from 8:30-11:30 p.m.

“Music is universally understood and a great segue for conversations about the intersectionality of disability, more specifically, how individuals with injuries learn how to reinvent their identities,” says Ingersoll-Wood. “In addition to the concert, I hope students will attend the one-on-one conversation with the band. Co-founder Michael Toyryla is not only a gifted performer, he’s a charismatic conversationalist who has an important story to tell about his injury, rehabilitation, and making his way back to performing as a musician with his bandmate, Jesse Wheeler.”

Tijuana Danger Dogs began in 2011 as an outlet for pop and electronic music ideas Toyryla and Wheeler couldn’t use in other projects. In 2010, Toyryla was paralyzed following an accident, and his music ambitions became an afterthought. As his recovery progressed, Toyryla and Wheeler formed the Tijuana Danger Dogs.

The band has released several songs and signed with New Vine Records in early 2022, releasing their latest Extended Play (EP) in April 2022. The band currently has a live act that incorporates original songs and covers.

This event is free for Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students with a valid student ID. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase (cost of $10) for staff, faculty and the general public. Tickets are available through the .

Story by Tessa Hodinger G’23, graduate assistant in Student Experience Communications

Leaving behind your hometown, friends and family to attend college can be a daunting task for any high school student.

In the case of Diana Garcia-Varo ’23, when she decided to attend Syracuse University and study both psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences and art video in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, she was not only leaving behind everything she had known, she was also leaving behind a well-established cultural community that meant the world to her.

Garcia-Varo, a proud Mexican American, enjoyed being surrounded by a diverse cultural community when she was growing up in the Bronx, New York. What does her heritage mean to her?

“It means community, it means family and it means finding people who are always there supporting each other, whether we share the same background or not. It’s about connecting and creating that community that makes us feel like a family,” says Garcia-Varo.

She’s the first to admit it was a big “culture shock” coming to Syracuse, which has a student body consisting of 52.4% white students, compared to 9.8% for Hispanic or Latinx students.

While Garcia-Varo initially struggled to find her community on campus, that all changed when she was hired by the Intercultural Collective during the second semester of her freshman year.

“I saw a lot of students from different backgrounds and identities, and it reminded me of my neighborhood in the Bronx. It was a cool space to connect, and whether they were just hanging out or having important cultural conversations, it was a great way to find my new community. Those were such meaningful interactions because I was able to meet students and staff members who shared a similar background as I did,” says Garcia-Varo, who also works as a peer mentor for the .

Garcia-Varo knew she wasn’t alone in her desire to connect with her cultural heritage on campus, and over the summer, she was presented with a terrific opportunity to both showcase that pride in her heritage and pursue one of her passions: highlighting authentic stories featuring people of color on campus.

Breana Nieves Vergara, coordinator of mentoring programs in , approached Garcia-Varo about producing a video for the University’s annual .

Knowing the crucial role of Garcia-Varo’s involvement with Multicultural Affairs and the Intercultural Collective played in discovering her community, Garcia-Varo set about finding students who could share how their involvement with on-campus organizations allowed them to connect with their cultural identities.

Over the summer, Garcia-Varo interviewed 11 students from across campus—some who were involved with student organizations pertaining to their culture, like the and , others who were active in academic programs like the and others who belonged to Greek life organizations.

Regardless of their heritage, Garcia-Varo said every one of the students she profiled told the important story of how belonging to these student organizations allowed them to maintain their authentic cultural identities while connecting with their peers and discovering a community on campus.

The video debuted to rave reviews during the Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Ceremony on Sept. 15

“One of my goals as a videographer is to highlight authentic stories and accurately depict the student experience here at Syracuse University. It was really important for me to have students from different backgrounds share their experiences, and it was powerful,” says Garcia-Varo, who produced versions in and to make her video accessible to as many people as possible.

“One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of students of color coming together to create a community and a home away from home. Sometimes you may have to start your own organization, sometimes you have to seek out these communities, but they are there,” she adds.

While the Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month programs serve as a source of pride for those who trace their ancestry to more than 20 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, they’re also an opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the campus community the rich cultural heritage of the University’s students, faculty and staff.

The importance of celebrating one’s culture on a predominantly white campus is not lost on Garcia-Varo.

“For us, Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month is forever. This month puts our culture out there for people who may not stop to think about it. This is who we are, and this is what our rich culture is all about,” says Garcia-Varo.

The University’s Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations have included weekly Café con Leche—translated as “coffee with milk”—discussions on important cultural topics like What is Latinx?,  (Sept. 23),��Celebrating the First-Generation College Student Experience and  (Oct. 4).

The culminating program is the Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month and Fourth Annual LGBTQ+ History Month , from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, featuring Paola Ramos, a Cuban American author, Emmy Award-winning journalist and Latinx advocate who also worked as deputy director of Hispanic media for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and served on President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012.