After three years of research + preparation coupled with another year of pandemic-prompted delays, Duke plans to become 1 of just 9 universities across the country to feature a disability cultural center, senior Maddie Fowler told the Duke Chronicle in a recent interview.
“At Duke there is a lot of this idea that disability is something you need to have an accommodation for and that’s all,” Maddie said. “Disability is so much more than that — different and unique challenges that we need support for.”
Maddie currently serves as an executive board member for the Duke Disability Alliance, the organization responsible for pitching the center to Duke’s administration + seeing the project through to fruition.
The cultural center will offer meetings spaces for disability-related organizations, a study room, and a disability studies library. Social events will also be held in the center throughout the year.
It will be located in the Bryan Center — which is essentially Duke’s student union and also houses the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity + The Center for Multicultural Affairs.
According to Maddie, the purpose of the Center is to show that disabilities are experienced every day, not on an on-and-off basis — they influence a person’s culture, experiences + overall identity. You can learn more about the Duke Disability Alliance’s work here.
If you know anyone who could benefit from the services at the new center, use the links below to share this information with them.
NEWS NOTES
Weather ○82º | Sunny | 0%chance of rain ☀️
WaterCooler ○ Yesterday, UNC announced its new head coach for the men’s basketball team. Hubert Davis played for the Tar Heels from 1988–1992 and has been assistant coach for the team since 2012. 🏀 (The Herald Sun)
Civic ○ Raleigh wants your feedback on plans for the new and improved Fisher Street Park. The existing park is being relocated approximately one block south. Take the survey to share your thoughts on the park design + public art before Fri., Apr. 16 at 5 p.m. 🌳
Jobs ○ Looking for a part-time summer job? Raleigh Parks hires 500+ employees every summer + they’re hiring now. Plus, there’s a virtual job fairtoday at 2:30 p.m.. 🛶 ○ The WRAL news team is looking to hire a multi-skilled video journalist. The candidate will need to be able to shoot and edit news stories + special projects in the Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville areas. 🎥
Community ○ It’s National Public Health Week and GoTriangle is helping you celebrate through their GoPerks program. Track how many calories you burn in your active commutes and earn points toward winning a gift card to Colors of Yoga. 🏃
Edu ○ Wake County middle and high school students are — officially — returning to in-person instruction this week, for the first time since the start of the pandemic. See the schedule and learn more here. 🎒
ForParents ○ Registration is now open for 2021 summer camps through Raleigh Parks. Browse the different camp options and register here.
Coronavirus ○ All of NC’s 100 counties have moved out of the “red” zone in the state’s COVID-19 County Alert System Map for the first time since the system was introduced in November. The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services says the state still isn’t out of the pandemic quite yet. 😷
Deal ○ Triangle Facial Plastic Surgery is offering $100 off Restylane Defyne for Chin Retrusion.Interested?Schedule an appointment online or by calling 919-706-4900.Ⓟ
Finance ○ Looking for a better cash-back card so you can start planning your first big post-vaccine vacation? 🙋 Meet2021’s highest paying cash back card, which offers up to 3% cashback, a $200 bonus offer, 0% interest for 15 months + no annual fee. Expert Greg Go says it’s “the best deal I’ve seen.” Ⓟ
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus. ⬇️
April is #RaleighHistoryMonth, and Dorothea Dix Park is celebrating in style with brand new historical signs around the park. You can now learn about history surrounding Indigenous land, plantations, the former mental health hospital, and more.
Find sign locations here + check out more ways to celebrate Raleigh History Month on the City of Raleigh’s website.
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#MUSTDO
Civic ○ Raleigh City Council Afternoon Session| Tues., Apr. 6 | 1–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Raleigh City Council will meet to handle city-related business + is open to the public.
Health ○ LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support Group | Tues., Apr. 6 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The LGBT Center of Raleigh and the National Alliance on Mental Illness NC are facilitating a mental health support group for LGBT+ adults 18+. 🌈
ForParents ○ One-day Learn & Play | Tues., Apr. 6 | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | Marbles Kids Museum, 201 East Hargett St. | $50+ | The museum is offering a day camp on school holidays for children K–5 to explore exhibits + have enriching playtime. 🚸
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
River Rat Brewery in Columbia, SC offers a family-friendly environment with ample outdoor space and games, locally-brewed beer, and a rooftop patio with 360-degree views | Photo by Sean Rayford for Experience Columbia SC
A short 3.5-hr. drive away, Columbia, SC has that ideal mix of city sights + outdoor adventures, and now’s the best time of year (read: not too cold, not too hot, not too humid) to see it all:
• Sip locally-brewed pints on the family-friendly greenspace at River Rat Brewery 🍺 • Shop local artisans along bustling Main Street at Soda City Market every Saturday 🛍️ • See 2,000+ critters and explore expansive botanicalgardens at Riverbanks Zoo 🦒Ⓟ
We cover the most important news and events happening in the city each and every day. Check out our newsletter archive to see what you may have missed.
#RALcurrent: What we’re reading — Carly is catching up on reading after being out of office for the holiday weekend + Laura is poring through textbooks (boo) since she’s still in school until May.
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