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 aspects of neurodivergence and other things that matter to you. You don't need to have any formal diagnosis of conditions/identities within the umbrella of neurodivergence. If you feel like this group might be a fit for you, please join us.
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?
The second Friday of each month from 11am-noon. If you'd like to be added to the (private) Teams site or to the Outlook invitations which have Zoom links in them, email info@uoregon.College.
Upcoming dates and topics:
- Nov 13, 11-noon.
- Topic: Artmaking and creative pursuits as a neurodivergent person. What creative acts or art making do you do (or want to do)? How does making and creativity shape us? And are their ways your neurodivergence shows up as part of your creative process?
- Dec 11, 11-noon.
- Topic: Experiences of diagnosis (including self-diagnosis) and discovery. What were your experiences of diagnosis, if applicable? How has diagnosis or identification changed your relationship with yourself?
- Jan 8, 11-noon.
- Topic: Parenting and caregiving as a neurodivergent person
- Feb 12, 11-noon.
- Topic: Supporting executive function and managing work-related anxieties (meetings, events, workshops, etc.)
- March 12, 11-noon.
- Topic: Practicing unmasking, and tending to (and releasing) shame and guilt around masking
- April 19, 11-noon.
- Topic: Exploration/discussion of neurodivergence as a paradigm and Towards a Neuroqueer Future
- May 14, 11-noon.
- Topic: Representation matters- media and characters that reflect parts of you
- June 11, 11-noon.
- TBD
Can't make these dates but still want to connect with this group? There are other opportunities to get together that folks propose in the Teams site--join us there and propose something or respond to someone else's get-together idea.
How do I join?
You have options! You can email Laurel Bastian for any of the following:
- to be added to the Outlook Calendar invite (invitees are added as a bcc and the event is set to private, so details shouldn't be viewable by those not added)
- to be added to an email that goes out before events (bcc'd)
- to be added to our Team (we also post the link in the private Teams site)
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.