Eighth Annual Disability History Symposium – The Promise of IDEA at 50: Where Do We Go from Here?

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time

Formats: In-Person and Online using Zoom.

We will have a full day with a packed agenda. The symposium will feature Emmy-award-winning documentarians Dan and Samuel Habib, directors of “The Ride Ahead” and “My Disability Roadmap.” Presenters will include multiple Georgians, both young and seasoned, who have made important impacts in our state.

MORE INFORMATION ON BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL FORMATS IS AVAILABLE ON THE RESPECTIVE REGISTRATION PAGES.

Send questions to uga.access@uga.edu or call 706-542-8719.

This event is FREE, but you must register before October 10^th using the links below.

Attend In-Person

Where: Richard B. Russell Library, 300 South Hull Street, Athens, Georgia 30602

Event Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time [Registration check-in begins at 8:30 AM].
*Please allow time to arrive early to park, check in, and get settled.
The Special Collections Libraries building opens at 8:00 AM. If you arrive before that you will not be able to enter the building.

Parking Information

Parking for off-campus visitors is available in the Hull Street Deck. South Hull Street runs between Broad and Baxter Streets. Enter at the south entrance near Baxter Street. Parking for our visitors with disabilities is located on Level 3 of the deck as well as Level 4, which has a pedestrian bridge connecting the parking deck to the quad in front of the Special Collections Libraries building.

Parking codes will be distributed following registration. Visitors will need to enter the codes and their license plate number into the kiosk on the 3rd floor to validate their parking.

There will be parking attendants in the deck from 7:45 AM -9:00 AM directing symposium attendees to the 3rd and 4th levels, as well as assisting at the kiosk on the 3rd floor. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please be sure to ask them – they are happy to help!

Accommodations: Communication access real-time translation (CART), audio description of print materials, and ASL will be provided.

Attend Virtually (Online)

We are providing a way you can attend the symposium virtually, but you must register below. We will be using Zoom. You can download the free Zoom app here. You will be emailed the Zoom link a few days before the event.

Start time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM [Eastern Time]

Registration deadline: You must register before October 10, 2025.

Accommodations: Communication access real-time translation (CART) will be provided. Zoom captions will be available as video subtitles & as a live transcript. Requests for other accommodations or assistance need to be received at least one week before the event. Direct questions to drc@uga.edu or by calling 706-542-8719.

Scholarship Opportunity

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) Dottie Adams Scholarship awards small grants (not to exceed $2,500) that helps individuals with disabilities and their families attend advocacy, learning events and conferences. Please note that no individual or family may receive these funds in successive years.

Applications must be received at least 30 days prior to the event (but no more than three months prior to the event) in order to be considered for approval for reimbursement of expenses. The complete list of guidelines and application is on GCDD’s website.

Learn more about the Dottie Adams Scholarship

This event is made possible by the University of Georgia Institute on Human Development and Disability and the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies.

Event Information: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/ihdd/2025-disability-symposium

Tags: ADA - general, disability awareness, education, Section 504