Students and faculty interested in learning about the disabled and the laws which affect them can attend a workshop on the subject.

A workshop on disabilities and the new federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is slated for Thursday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m., in Watson Hall Room 110.

The workshop will be an informal presentation divided into two sections. The first half will be a speech made by Rick Dearborn, NIU assistant director of Affirmative Action. He said the first half will deal with a lot of definitions, such as “what is a disability and who qualifies as disabled.”

The second half of the program will be a half-hour video presentation. “The video will deal with peoples’ attitudes and perceptions of those with disabilities,” Dearborn said.

The workshop also will cover the ADA, a civil rights act passed in July 1990, he added. ADA was put into effect in July of this year.

The law prohibits discrimination of those with disabilities in the private sector. “ADA puts everyone on an even playing field,” Dearborn said. “With ADA, everyone is subject to the same laws.”

Dearborn said the workshop is open to students, faculty and the public and will last approximately one hour.

Anyone with further questions about the workshop can contact

Dearborn at 753-8510.