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Welcome to a new year. As we settle into 2024 and prepare for another semester, we wanted to reflect on Himmelfarb Library’s many accomplishments from the previous year. 

In 2023, Himmelfarb Library acquired new resources and updated our current collection to provide the latest in health sciences research and support. The Bloedorn Technology Center received new 3-D printed anatomical models that are on display and available for in-library use.  

Himmelfarb Library created two special collections. The Streaming Video Collections provides access to documentaries, short films and other digital media with a focus on topics in health sciences. The Suicide and Suicidology Collection is a curated list of materials on suicide, suicide risks and prevention that was expanded thanks to a gift from Dr. Seymour Perlin and Ruth Perlin. Library staff updated the Core Title list based upon feedback from faculty members from SMHS, Nursing and SPH. In an ongoing project, the library is working to make reading lists embedded in research guides more user-friendly and navigable; the Anesthesiology core list, Radiology textbooks and the Exercise & Nutrition Sciences textbooks received a visual update and more lists will undergo a similar update soon.

In spring 2023, Himmelfarb Library released its Anti-Racism in Healthcare research guide.  A research guide for LGBTQ+ healthcare is under development. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy was published in the fall. The policy outlines the avenues in which the library will follow a DEI framework to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment. 

The Interlibrary Loan Policy was also updated in the summer of 2023. Under the updated policy, Himmelfarb Library will now provide 30 free interlibrary loan requests to users in SMHS, Nursing and SPH. This update simplifies the interlibrary loan request process for users so they can receive the resources they need without major delays. 

Continuing their virtual tutorial series, the Scholarly Communications Committee added several new videos to their tutorials library. Some of the new videos include Curating Your ORCiD Profile, Updating Your Biosketch via SciENcv, and Journal Impact Factors: What You Need to Know. The full playlist of tutorials is available through the Scholarly Communications Video Tutorials page under the Scholarly Publishing research guide. 

Himmelfarb library connected with users both in-person and online. Last year, library staff wrote and published over 150 new articles to the Himmelfarb Library News page and garnered over 23,000 page views on the news site. On our social media platforms, the library posted nearly 500 times on Facebook and over 470 times on Instagram. We received over 1,000 likes or reactions on Facebook and over 2,000 on Instagram. New articles are added to the library's news site three times a week and the Facebook and Instagram pages are regularly updated. Subscribe to our pages to remain up to date on events at the library or new resources. 

Many returning and new events took place last year. In January, the library hosted the National Library of Medicine’s traveling exhibit Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine in Harry Potter’s World. The exhibit explored the historical people and texts that served as inspiration for aspects of the Harry Potter series. 

In March, the library held a basketball shootout fundraiser for the Healing Clinic. From March through April, the library had its inaugural Cherry Blossom Photo Contest. Following the success of this contest, the first Fall Colors Photo Contest took place in October and November. The 35th Annual Art Show was held in May and participants of the cherry blossom contest were able to display their submissions. The art show received 53 submissions across different art mediums such as watercolor, photography, and embroidery. We look forward to your submissions during this year’s art show. 

Last, Himmelfarb Library would like to highlight some of the many staff accomplishments from 2023. Deborah Wassertzug joined the Reference and Instruction team near the end of 2022. Rebecca Kyser and Randy Plym joined the Reference and Instruction team and the Circulation and Access team respectively last year. Ruth Bueter was appointed to the Associate Director for Library Operations. 

Himmelfarb Library staff published numerous articles or presentations in 2023. JoLinda Thompson and Sara Hoover’s chapter Discoverability Within the Library was published in the book Discoverability in Digital Repositories: Systems, Perspectives, and Users Studies. Rachel Brill published an article on her Disorder in the Court series and another article on ways to evaluate database coverage. The full list of articles, presentations and posters from Himmelfarb Library staff may be found in the Himmelfarb Library Faculty Publications and the Himmelfarb Library Faculty Posters and Presentations collections located in the Health Sciences Research Commons. Sara Hoover was also selected for the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) at the Senior Level. AHIP is an intensive, professional development and certification initiative for health information professionals that demonstrates their commitment to health information services and responsibilities. 

2023 also marked milestone career anniversaries for Catherine Sluder (40 years), Valorie Bowles (34 years) and Yvonne Lee (25 years)!

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another productive year at Himmelfarb Library as we provide access to the latest in health information resources and services.

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Communicating health information with the public or segments of the public requires clarity, an understanding of the target audiences and a variety of modes of dissemination. Health communication campaigns must also be receptive to evaluation to understand the campaign’s successes and limitations. Communicating health information requires a wide skill set and an awareness of theories in various disciplines. Here is a brief introduction to the field of Health Communication and how it informs the public of health information and emerging crises.

Health communication is “an area of study that examines how the use of different communication strategies can keep people informed about their health and influence their behavior so they can live healthier lives.” (Tulane University, 2020) This field is based on “many theories and disciplines, including social cognitive and communication theories, marketing, and public relations.” (Tulane University, 2020)

Communicating health information provides people with information based on research in an accessible format. Successful health communication campaigns reach a wide audience and mitigate the harmful effects of misinformation or disinformation. Campaigns also “promote behaviors and choices that can positively impact people’s general well-being and everyday lives.” (Tulane University, 2020)

There are different types of health communication. Factors such as target audience, time, location and format may determine the type of communication you use to share health information. 

Health Education: This form of communication educates people about a specific health topic. Examples of health education include explaining the harmful effects of smoking or excess alcohol consumption, ways to manage blood pressure or anti-bully campaigns. 

Health Advocacy: This “promotes health by working to ensure people can access health care, advocating for effective healthcare policies and reforms, and developing ways to make it easier to navigate the healthcare system.” (Tulane University, 2020)

Risk Communication: Risk communication aims to educate people about the risks associated with certain health behaviors. This includes drunk driving campaigns or “Click it or Ticket” signage.

Crisis and Outbreak Communication: This type of communication is associated with emerging health crises. A recent example  includes communication about the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There are practical and theoretical factors to consider when sharing health information. Rimal and Lapinski write that “...communication interventions do not fall into a social vacuum. Rather, information is received and processed through individual and social prisms that not only determine what people encounter (through processes of selective exposure), but also the meaning they derive from the communication (known as selective perception), depending upon factors at both the individual (prior experience, efficacy beliefs, knowledge, etc.) and the macro-social (interpersonal relationships, cultural patterns, social norms) levels.” (Rimal and Lapinski, 2009, pg. 247)

They also state “...it is reasonable to expect discrepancies between message disseminated and received” and “...communication is a dynamic process in which sources and receivers of information continuously interchange their roles.” (Rimal and Lapinski, 2009, pg. 247)

Health communication may appear challenging, but there are resources to assist with the planning and implementation of a campaign. Himmelfarb Library’s Correcting Misinformation with Patients research guide provides useful techniques for engaging with patients or a larger population. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health Communication Gateway also contains useful information and resources. The CDC’s Health Communication Playbook shares practical resources to clearly and effectively share health information in different settings. Last, Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine shared 10 Strategies for Effective Health Communication that goes into depth about health communication, the theories behind it and communication tips.  

People are inundated with information from different sources. Successfully employing health communication strategies and theories ensures that the public is connected with trusted health professionals and capable of making informed health decisions.

References:

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International Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place on November 20th every year. It is a solemn day that honors the transgender and gender diverse people who died due to acts of transphobic violence. The day began in 1999 when trans rights advocate, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, held a memorial to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. From that first memorial in the late 90s, Transgender Day of Remembrance was soon recognized both within the United States and around the world. As Gwendolyn Ann Smith said “Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence…With so many seeking to erase transgender people–sometimes in the most brutal ways possible–it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.” (GLAAD, 2023)

Accurate statistics on the violent deaths of transgender people are difficult to find for many reasons. “Many hate crimes and murders go unreported or, crucially, misreported in the media–meaning the actual number of deaths could be far higher.”(Wareham, 2023)  Transgender Europe is a collective of different organizations that advocates for equal rights and protection for transgender and gender diverse people. Each year at the start of Transgender Awareness Week, the group releases their Trans Murder Monitoring Global Update. This report tracks news articles of murdered transgender people. Since 2008, the organization has released a global report on the deaths of transgender people as well as observations on data trends. In their 2023 update, they reported that between October 1, 2022 and September 20, 2023, “320 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered…This total is very close to the 327 cases reported in the previous year, showing that deadly violence against trans people remains at a consistently high level.”  (Transgender Europe, 2023) Alongside their global update report, Transgender Europe also released an updated map that shows 2023’s data as well as the total data collected since 2008. This map tracks the global violence transgender and gender diverse people face.

The National Center for Transgender Equality, an organization based in the United States, recently released their Trans Remembrance 2023 report with their virtual Trans Remembrance memorial. “We crafted this digital space for both grieving and celebrating those we’ve lost. Countless precious trans lives have been extinguished, and to grieve is an arduous journey. However, in our period of grief, we persist. We pay tribute to and exalt the existence of those who have departed, and our brilliance remains unaltered.” (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2023) The memorial highlights the stories of transgender and gender diverse people who lost their lives due to bullying or overt transphobic violence. Visitors are encouraged to read the stories of the people memorialized on the website in an attempt to combat transphobia. 

Transphobic violence may be underreported or misreported, but there are news sources that accurately report these instances. Organizations such as Transgender Europe, the National Center for Transgender Equality and GLAAD are valuable sources. LGBTQ focused news organizations and reporters such as LGBTQNation, Autostraddle, Erin Reed and Washington Blade also provide comprehensive coverage of transphobic legislation and bigotry. 

International Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to mourn the lives lost and work towards equality and safety for transgender and gender diverse people. “Any measure of society must include the value it finds in protecting its most vulnerable from harm and healing the wounds they have already suffered….Transgender Day of Remembrances has never been so important.” (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2023)

Citations:

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Native American Heritage Month occurs in November every year. The month “is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.” (U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d.) Many governmental agencies and health organizations share resources that discuss the history of Indigenous groups within the United States. 

Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness is a virtual exhibition that “explores the interconnectedness of wellness, illness, and cultural life for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.” (National Library of Medicine, n.d.) The exhibit is split into five sections:

Along with the five sections, a collection of interviews touches on themes such as community, healing, nature and more. 

The virtual exhibit has educational resources that are useful in a classroom setting or for personal use. Their suggested readings bibliography features works by Native Americans or works that focus exclusively on Native Americans. 

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) provides current information about the health of indigenous communities. Their Population Health Data has census reports, links to additional health websites and statistics about indigenous communities. The health data is separated across multiple categories such as asthma, cancer, immunizations and other health concerns. Finally, the OMH’s American Indian & Alaska Native Health in the United States pathfinder guides users to appropriate resources such as journals, government websites and research articles. 

This month is an excellent time to explore the concerns and needs of American indigenous communities. The readings and resources listed above provide a glimpse of the long history and unique culture of American indigenous nations. 

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Many people are aware that June is LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States. But the community’s history is also recognized in October during LGBTQ History Month. This month began in 1994 when Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher in Missouri, noticed a lack of LGBTQ representation in the curriculum. To address this gap, Wilson drafted a proposal and shared it with national organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign. Wilson worked with other historians and community organizers to ensure that LGBTQ History Month was nationally recognized. 

Wilson envisioned LGBTQ History Month becoming part of a school’s curriculum. This meant that he needed to consider the standard academic schedule when selecting when to honor LGBTQ History Month. October was selected because it did not overlap with other cultural or historical awareness months such as Hispanic Heritage Month (September) or Black History Month (February). October also had historical significance to the LGBTQ community in the United States. “The first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979 was in October. The second March on Washington in 1987 was also in October, specifically October 11–a date that would make the inaugural National Coming out Day the following year.” (Agassi, 2023)

For these reasons, October became LGBTQ History Month in the United States.

The 1979 & 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights:

Similar to the Stonewall riots and protests in 1969, the 1979 and 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights were two events that drew attention to the discrimination  the LGBTQ community faced. During both marches, community advocates listed their demands that would protect people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. 

The 1979 march was inspired by the 1963 March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr gave his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. Openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk pushed for a similar march for LGBTQ people. Unfortunately Milk was assassinated before his idea could become reality. Two New York based activists, Steve Ault and Joyce Hunter, moved forward with Milk’s vision. (Chibbaro Jr., 2017). The 1979 march drew national attention as thousands of people came to DC to protest and share their demands for an equitable society. 

“A five-point platform for the march called for passage by Congress of a “comprehensive” lesbian and gay civil rights bill; a presidential executive order banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal workplace, the military, federally contracted private employers; repeal of all ant-gay/lesbian laws; an end to discrimination in child custody disputes for gay and lesbian parents; and protections for gay and lesbian youth against discrimination at home or in schools.” (Chibbaro Jr., 2017)Several years later, the 1987 march took place in October and the group of marchers had similar demands as the one made in 1979. This march also focused on the impact of AIDS on the LGBTQ community and discriminatory laws. “Items added to the platform beyond those included for the 1979 march included a call for legal recognition of lesbian and gay relationships; repeal of sodomy laws applying to consenting adults; an end to discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS; reproductive freedom for women; and an end to racism in the U.S. and an end to apartheid in South Africa.” (Chibbaro Jr., 2017) The AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed for the first time on the National Mall during the march. This NBC News report provides a historical view of the 1987 march and press coverage. Additionally, there is an original recording of the 1979 March and other resources available to the public.

While Pride Month celebrates the accomplishments of the LGBTQ civil rights movement, LGBTQ History Month serves as a time to reflect on the history of the community and remind people of the hard work from activists and other historical figures. Rodney Wilson if believes it is vital to look to history and that history has a way to make people feel less lonely or uncertain about their lives. “For Wilson, history at its core is mystical, particularly “about this continuing conversation with the dead, and with the events that they worked on and completed in their lifetimes–some of which are still with us, and some aren’t. There’s a real mystical communion between the past, the present and the future in studying our history.”” (Agassi, 2023)

References:

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The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually on December 10 which marks the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. According to Nobel’s will, the prize and award funds “is to be distributed annually as prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” (Nobel Prize Outreach AB, 2023) Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been awarded over six hundred times and one thousand laureates have been recognized across the five award categories. 

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. Their research in mRNA and its potential therapeutic applications “contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.” (The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute, 2023) Karikó and Weissman’s research not only significantly contributed to the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine, but their work may be used as the foundation to create future immunizations against certain forms of cancer or other debilitating illnesses. 

Prior to the work of Karikó and Weissman “In vitro transcribed mRNA was considered unstable and challenging to deliver…Moreover, in vitro-produced mRNA gave rise to inflammatory reactions.” (The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute, 2023) Despite these obstacles, the two researchers collaborated and through their efforts “Karikó and Weissman had eliminated critical obstacles on the way to clinical applications of mRNA.” (The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute, 2023) 

In their first reactions interviews, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman shared what winning the award meant to them and how their long careers led them to this moment:

The formal award ceremony will take place on December 10, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden and will be broadcast live on television and on The Nobel Prize YouTube channel. To learn more about previous Nobel Prize winners or about the history of these awards, visit the Nobel Prize website.

References: 

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Health Sciences Research Commons

Did you recently present at a conference or during a workshop? Would you like to share your conference poster with other scholars? Are you interested in archiving your research in a central location? The Health Sciences Research Commons (HSRC) is Himmelfarb Library’s online institutional repository and allows researchers to store their research in a reliable location so it may be accessed by other researchers. 

Here are a few benefits to storing your research in the HSRC:

  1. Your conference poster will be placed in a permanent collection with a consistent link. This link may be embedded in your resume/CV or on your researcher’s website. It may also be shared with your peers and connect them with your conference poster. 
  2. Your work is archived according to your departmental affiliation, so your work is situated among the collective output of your colleagues. 
  3. Your research is discoverable via search engines such as Google Scholar, thus allowing your work to reach a broader audience. 
  4. Lastly, you can measure the impact and reach of your research through PlumX metrics and Altmetrics data. 

Archiving your poster in the HSRC is a reliable alternative to conference websites which may not be maintained once the conference ends. The HSRC is able to accept most file formats and you may upload a full image of your poster. Library staff members maintain the repository and will archive your research for you. Send an email hsrc@gwu.edu and a Himmelfarb Library staff member will respond to collect more information. 

Are you interested in  a preview of how your poster will appear in the institutional repository? Visit the 2023 Research Days Posters collection or any of the other collections in the repository.

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Addressing consumer health questions from a racial or ethnic minority group requires cultural sensitivity and understanding. Healthcare organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Minority Health provide consumer health resources that are available in multiple languages. The organizations also share resources on how to connect with minority groups in a healthcare environment. These resources allow providers to communicate health information with their patients and also establish a rapport between patients and providers no matter their background. To commemorate this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting several consumer and healthcare provider resources that specifically address the needs of the Hispanic community. 

The Office of Minority Health aims to “improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities.” (Office of Minority Health, 2019, para. 1) The office recently released their “Better Health Through Better Understanding for Hispanics/Latinos” reading list. The list is divided into three sections and contains information for both health consumers and providers. The resources are free to access and download. Some of the resources are available in English and Spanish so they may be shared with patients who may not be fluent in English. Lastly, there are links to journal articles that discuss the treatment and health outcomes of the Hispanic/Latino population. 

The Office of Minority Health also provides resources based on the five social determinants of health. The listed information contains federal and non-federal options so the information is applicable to many individuals. Similar to their Hispanic Heritage Month reading list, the resources on this page are intended for both healthcare patients and providers. Some resources that may be of interest include:

If you’re looking for mental health resources, Palo Alto University’s curated list of Latinx Community Resources features books, videos, podcasts and more. There is also an extensive list of mental health organizations that serve the needs of the Hispanic community. 

Himmelfarb Library is home to a diverse collection of health information. The Antiracism in Health research guide is an excellent starting point for available resources. Links to student and national healthcare organizations are listed on the guide, directly connecting you to groups actively working to meet healthcare needs and dismantle barriers to access. Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity and Disparities in Health Care connects you to physical and electronic books, academic journals and other library materials. Please be aware that some resources will prompt users to login with their GW UserID and password to access.  If there are journal articles, books, podcasts or other materials that you believe should be featured on the antiracism research guide, please submit your suggestion through this Google form.

Finding additional resources to address the questions of a specific community may feel daunting. If you are interested in finding information similar to the sources listed in this article, Himmelfarb Library is here to help. There are several ways to contact a staff member including by email, phone, or instant message. Contact us with any questions you may have. 

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Gender-affirming care has been a topic within mainstream media for the past several years. While some people think of surgical interventions during these discussions, health care providers and organizations classify a range of treatments as part of a gender-affirming care routine. Research shows that transgender and nonbinary individuals who receive gender-affirming care experience greater health outcomes such as decreased levels of depression, anxiety and suicidality. Dr. Arjee Javellana Restar’s paper Gender-affirming care is preventative care, examines the relationship between mental health and access to gender-affirming care. “While there are established treatments available outside of GAC, preventing negative mental health outcomes before they occur requires widening the tools of prevention, and calling in medical, insurer, and policy communities to value GAC in improving mental health for trans people.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 2) In order to address the mental health outcomes of trans and nonbinary individuals, it is important that barriers to gender-affirming treatment options are eliminated and the patient’s autonomy is prioritized. 

Gender-affirming care are treatment options that aim to affirm a person’s gender identity. Treatments may include speech therapy, hormone therapy, or surgical interventions. Gender-affirming care options are frequently discussed and created by patients, healthcare providers and if the patient is a minor, parental or legal guardians are also present. The Association of American Medical Colleges states that “For children in particular, the time of the interventions is based on several factors, including cognitive and physical development as well as parental consent. Surgery…is rarely provided to people under 18.” (Boyle, 2022) 

Research shows that transgender and nonbinary people who receive gender-affirming care often experience improved mental health outcomes than those who do not receive treatment. Dr. Restar writes “Addressing mental health problems among trans people necessitates explicit programmatic and investment goals that allow the equitable provision of not just treatment, but instead, an array of both preventative and treatment tools…” (Restar, 2023, pg. 1) Both Dr. Restar and the Association of American Medical Colleges note that people who receive gender-affirming care experience lower rates of negative mental health outcomes. (Restar, 2023; Boyle, 2022) “GAC is linked to improved quality of life and mental health among trans people…To date, no studies have reported findings that suggest GAC increases negative mental health outcomes.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 1)

There are social and structural barriers that prevent people from accessing the full range of gender-affirming care treatment options. Dr. Restar suggests that the healthcare profession should make changes to the existing structures to allow for more equitable access to care.  “Over the years, the benefits of GAC has become apparent, yet beneficiaries remain exclusive, leaving many trans people to wait until eligible for treatment at the cost of worsened outcomes…To address the high prevalence of mental health problems, GAC must be synergized as part of combined preventative mental health care options and strategies.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 2) 

Building a gender diverse and gender-affirming environment is important because it “allows for frank discussions about the patient’s gender identity and related stress, sexual activity, and potential transition toward a different gender identity.” (Boyle, 2022) Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity and Disparities in Health Care special collection contains materials to help you learn more about transgender and gender diverse healthcare needs. Additionally, Dr. Restar’s article provides suggestions that may lead to healthcare structural changes and improve healthcare access for transgender and nonbinary individuals. 

References: 

Restar, A. J. (2023). Gender-affirming care is preventative care. Lancet Regional Health - Americas (Online), 24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2023.100544

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Would you like to learn more about healthcare related disability and accessibility issues? Would you like to hear perspectives from disabled individuals as they discuss how their disability impacts their lives? The Disability Visibility podcast, hosted by Alice Wong,  has one hundred episodes that center disabled individuals and activists who work to create a more accessible world. 

If you are interested in listening to the podcast, Himmelfarb Library’s DEI Committee suggests starting with episodes 95 and 98. In episode 95, Alice Wong speaks with Dr. Justin Bullock, an African-American medical resident who wrote the New England Journal of Medicine article Suicide–Rewriting My Story. The episode’s conversation focuses on Dr. Bullock’s experiences with Bipolar Disorder, suicidality and his medical school and residency journey. Episode 98 is another conversation with UC Berkeley undergraduate student, Alena Morales. Morales shares her experiences with creating the Disability Cultural Center on Berkeley’s campus and what that process taught her about creating communities for disabled people. 

Other episodes that may be of interest include episode 77: Mental Health Advocacy, episode 54: Disabled Scientists, episode 24: Disability Justice and Community Organizing, and episode 17: Invisible Disabilities. Additionally, Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century features work from over 30 authors and is an alternative way to learn from disabled individuals.

If you listen to the suggested episodes and would like to hold a community discussion, the DEI Committee created a starting list of questions that may guide the conversation:

  • Did this podcast change your perspective on disability? What surprised you?
  • If you or someone you know has disabilities, what challenges have you/they faced?
  • How does disability intersect with other identities such as race or sexual orientation?
  • Are you aware of ways that GW accommodates students with disabilities? What else could be done?
  • Dr. Bullock discusses his experience with bipolar disorder. Had you considered mental health issues as disabilities? In what ways are these disabilities similar to and different from a physical disability? 

The Disability Visibility podcast is one part of the ongoing Disability Visibility project. To learn more about the podcast or the larger multimedia project, visit the project’s website at disabilityvisibilityproject.com. If there is a DEIA resource that you would like to share with the committee, please contact the current chair, Rachel Brill at rgbrill@gwu.edu.

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