A film festival and a performance by an American Sign Language storyteller are among the featured events this April for Disability Awareness Month at NDSU. 

The on-campus film festival called “REEL Life” is planned for Wednesday, April 3, in Memorial Union Century Theater. It will feature four films and a faculty member presentation, all aimed at spurring discussion regarding topics on disability. 

Films include “Read Me Differently” at 10 a.m., “When Billy Broke His Head ... And Other Tales of Wonder” at 1 p.m., “Fly Away” at 2:30 p.m. and “Reign Over Me” at 7 p.m. Throughout the day, discussions will consider misconceptions surrounding disability and examine how disability is portrayed in the media. 

At noon, Carrie Anne Platt, assistant professor of communication, will present “Disability Discourses in Popular Culture: What’s Glee got to do with it?” in the Memorial Union's Century Theater. 

A full schedule of events and list of participating sponsors for “REEL Life” is available here. 

On Wednesday, April 17, American Sign Language storyteller and performer, Trix Bruce, will present “The Hearing World Around Me” at 6:30 p.m. in Beckwith Recital Hall.

In the performance, Bruce expresses how deaf culture has colored her life as she shares her most embarrassing moments, learning experiences, greatest challenges and growing sense of pride. 

Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable accommodations by emailing ndsu.edcenter@ndsu.edu or calling 701-231-5263 at least one week prior to the event. 

All events are free and open to the public; participants of each event are invited to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Equity and Diversity Center Food Pantry.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.