Neurodivergent Instructor and Staff Affinity Group

Who is this for? 

This recurring affinity-group discussion is a space for neurodivergent instructors and staff (and those who hold identities within the umbrella of neurodivergence, like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, bipolar, etc.) to connect in ways that feel positive, and to share community, information, resources, questions, and scholarship around both neurodivergence and other things that matter to you. 

What are meetings like?

Monthly meetings are over Zoom with some opportunities for in-person get togethers we share out via our Teams group and in meetings.

  • Discussions are structured for a range of participation. Get collaborative agendas and discussion questions ahead of time; participate via writing, aloud, or both, camera on or off, at whatever level works for you on a given day
  • We collectively decide what we want to learn about or discuss next. We tend to alternate between more social discussions and presentations from members on a topic of interest to the group followed by discussion.
  • Facilitators and speakers are group members (and neurodivergent). We each have our own experiences and identities, and we're into learning from each other.
  • We don't share info about who attends meetings or reference disclosures people might make in them to others. Because that would not be ethical! Also we know disability still carries risk for some of us in some contexts.

When do we meet? 

Summer 2015:

  • July 31 at noon: in person movement/stim/hangout time
  • August 20 at 10 am: Zoom hangout and "body doubling"

For AY24/25, first Mondays of the month, from 10-11am. 

  • Oct 7: Welcome and community building
  • Nov 4: Learning about...dyscalculia!
  • Dec 2: Book chapter feature discussion (no reading required)
  • Jan 6: Space to talk and think about "new year" intentions and interests
  • Feb 3: A snapshot of disability and accessibility at UO
  • Mar 3: Time--as a cultural construct and a lived experience
  • Apr 7: Show/tell: favorite characters (fictional or real), and why they're a favorite for us.
  • May 5: Self/community care
  • June 2: Open discussion

How do I join?

You have options! You can:

Are there other disability affinity groups at UO for employees?

Yes! A group of UO employees with longstanding ties in disability communities at UO and beyond in 2024 started the Employee Disability and Neurodiversity Affinity Group (EDNA). You can read more about EDNA on their blog and can sign up for their listserv.