UND to host 2026 Disability Awareness Day
International disability advocate and adaptive athlete Chris Ruden to headline March 16 event, which will highlight campus resources, student research
What: Disability Awareness Day 2026 — an all-day event designed to raise awareness about disability, accessibility, inclusion, and related research, practice, and advocacy.
Who: Chris Ruden, international keynote speaker, disability advocate, adaptive athlete and author. University of North Dakota students, faculty, staff, community partners, disability advocates, and the general public are invited.
When: Monday, March 16, 2026
Where: UND Memorial Union, Ballrooms C and D
About: Disability Awareness Day brings together the UND community to foster meaningful dialogue, celebrate accessibility and inclusion, and provide opportunities to learn from lived experience, research, advocacy, and community engagement. Attendees are invited to explore student work, connect with campus services and partners, and join conversations about identity, resilience, and creating possibilities without limits.
The day features student poster presentations, a keynote and conversation with guest speaker Chris Ruden, opportunities to meet and interact with Ruden, and a community fair with campus organizations and partners. After experiencing stigma, mental health challenges and barriers associated with disability, Ruden transformed these obstacles into opportunities. Through his bionic arm, diabetes technology and the message of “creating your world without limits,” he shares powerful insights on resilience, identity and redefining possibility.
- 9–11:30 a.m. — Student poster presentations go up and are on display (posters will remain up through the event).
- 12–1:15 p.m. — Lunch arrives; keynote presentation by Chris Ruden and opportunities to meet him.
- 1:30–3:30 p.m. — Campus organizations and community partners available to share resources, engage attendees, and support dialogue and connection.
Ruden will be available throughout the afternoon, and an informal student fireside chat is planned as part of the afternoon activities.
