Students in Denise Magwire’s adapted physical education class at Tri-State University will host Disability Awareness Day at the campus on Wednesday, April 2 in conjunction with Disability Awareness Month as declared by the Governor’s Council on Disabilities. The event aims to increase awareness of disabilities while celebrating the abilities and diversity that exist within our society.

Local organizations with services for disabled populations will set up booths in the University Center mall area from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Included will be information from RISE into Action, the RISE (Rehabilitative and Industrial Services) Inc. branch of the 101 Lakes Kiwanis Club; Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults; Steuben County Autism Support Group; Choice Program; Very Caring People Club; Easter Seals; Insource; Mental Health America of Steuben County; and the League for the Blind and Disabled.

With help from RISE clients, the TSU class will set up simulated activities for the TSU and local community to experience. Activities could include a wheelchair obstacle course and a “trust walk” while blindfolded.

Sports will take center court in Hershey Hall at 7 p.m. with a Special Olympics basketball game. A team of community members and TSU students and staff will play the RISE Special Olympics team, the Boilin’ Blazers.

Angola Mayor Dick Hickman will coach the community team, which will include Kirk Singer, marketing director for Cameron Memorial Community Hospital, Jeff Peters, chairman of the Breeden YMCA board, Melissa Cope, TSU sports information director and coach, Dr. David Finley, TSU Vice President for Academic Affairs, and others.

Among halftime activities will be a hoop shoot sponsored by Domino’s Pizza of Angola, and prizes will be given away. Donations received at the door will benefit the RISE Special Olympics program. The Office of Student Life is assisting with booth set-up, publicity, and student athletes for the basketball team.

Magwire, an adjunct professor in the Department of Sport & Hospitality Management, said her students will gain leadership experience by planning, marketing, and implementing the event. “This experience will also teach the students the skills necessary to offer a similar program in their schools after entering the teaching profession,” she said.

All of the activities are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Magwire at 665.4467 or 665.9819, or magwired@tristate.edu.