FDR’s “splendid deception” highlights 14th year of Investment in Ability

October 17, 2003
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ANN ARBOR—Unknown to the nation, Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as president unable to walk—disabled by polio.

Investing in Ability, a series of events running throughout October, is presenting Richard Harris, the long-time director of disability programs at Ball State University. Harris will discuss Roosevelt’s “splendid deception, the ironic story of how a nation and its president dealt with his severe disability,” and the myths and misconceptions about Roosevelt’s paralysis.

“FDR: Elected in Spite of or Because of His Disability?” will be held at 2 p.m. today at the International Institute, room 1636, School of Social Work Building.

An award ceremony named for U-M alumnus James Neubacher, who advocated for individuals with disabilities while he was a reporter for the Detroit Free Press, is another highlight of Investing in Ability. The Award will be presented Oct. 24 to Christopher Savoie, a rehabilitation engineer with the Wheelchair Seating Service at the U-M Health System. The event is at 10:30 a.m. in the Vandenberg Room of the Michigan League.

This is the 14th year U-M has sponsored Investing in Ability events.

“The main purpose of this series of events is to make the University community more aware of issues that are important to people with disabilities,” said Brian Clapham, the University’s coordinator for the Americans with Disabilities Act. He said the events are designed to get people to think about issues related to people with disabilities “in terms of considering diversity at the University of Michigan.”

All events are free and open to the public. Students who want to attend the career development workshop need to register in advance with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). All programs are held in accessible locations and sign language interpreters will be provided.

For more information, contact the Office for Institutional Equity, Human Resources and Affirmative Action, at (734) 763-0235 or TTY (734) 647-1388, or visit the Investing in Ability Web site for the full schedule of events and educational programs at http://www.umich.edu/~hraa/ability.