EWU Hosts Events to Help People and Environments Thrive
Events and activities promote Inclusion, support sustainability and advance disabilities’ awareness
EWU is hosting multiple events over the next two weeks that promote inclusion, support sustainability and advance disabilities awareness.
Inclusion Week events run April 20-25, providing opportunities to connect over creating crafts, protecting the environment by upcycling, thrifting, gardening and more. The week ends with a cultural festival and resource fair that will feature international foods, music, entertainment, pop-up shops and more.
The events, to be held in observance of Earth Day and Diversity Month, are a result of a collaboration among EWU Counselling & Wellness Services, Dining and Catering Service, the Eagle Pride Center, Eagle Services, the Eagle Story, Facilities, JLR Multicultural Center, the Office of Sustainability ad the Office of Employing Belonging, Development and Leadership.
The following week, from April 27-29, the School of Social Work’s Disabilities Studies program and Faculty Commons collaborated to create a full calendar of presentations, discussions and activities for Disability Pride Days. The events’ timeframe coincides with national observances that promote acceptance and awareness of autism, Parkinson’s disease, limb loss and limb difference, and celebrate historical contributions from Americans who are deaf.
Disability Pride Days, which include a mix of in-person and live streaming events, advance the understanding of disabilities and shine a light on challenges that people with disabilities face while navigating the world.
Inclusion Week Events
Monday, April 20
Upcycle T-Shirts
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | PUB Nysether Community Room
Hands-on workshop to transform T-shirts into reusable bags (no sewing required). The bags will support the EWU Food Pantry while reducing wasting and giving new life to clothing that might otherwise be discarded.
Cultural Crafts
11a.m – 2 p.m. | PUB Nysether Community Room
Explore creativity and culture at our cultural crafts event, featuring collage making, origami, and kanji writing. Drop in to learn new artistic techniques, express yourself, and celebrate diverse cultural traditions.
Tuesday, April 21
Garden Workday
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | EWU Community Garden
Help prep the Community Garden for spring planting. All materials will be provided, and
all skill levels and abilities are welcome.
Earthfest at the Catalyst
11a.m. – 6 p.m. | Catalyst Building Lobby
(Please note there will be a staff break from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 22
Earth Day Eco-Thrift
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | PUB Nysether Community Room
A thrifting event to give clothing a second life. Come and shop with us. All items are free!
Earth Day: Smarter Ways to Travel
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | PUB Skirt
Connect with local organizations dedicated to sustainable transportation and eco-friendly ways to travel, including the Spokane Transit Authority, Commute Smart Northwest, and the Spokane Bicycle Club.
Thursday, April 23
Cultural Festival & Resource Fair
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | PUB Nyesther Community Room
The Cultural Festival and Resource Fair is combined with Earth Week, highlighting sustainability, community, and the diverse voices that shape our campus.
- International food and candies
- Inclusion Week T-shirts
- Music, entertainment and swag
- EWU departments, clubs and organizations
- Community partners and pop-up shops
Friday, April 24 | 2 – 5 p.m.
Multicultural Graduation Celebration 2026
2 – 5 p.m.
All EWU seniors graduating in semester and quarter programs are welcome. Bring your cap and stole to decorate. Create a senior keepsake, a will, a stole of gratitude for a parent/mentor and enjoy music and food. In addition, friends of seniors can make signs to cheer on seniors who are graduating.
Saturday, April 25
Earth Fest at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | 26010 South Smith Road | Cheney
Volunteers can help with seedling potting, fence removal, and tree thinning to support wildfire defense and forest health. Several partner organizations and agencies will be represented. Lunch will be provided.
To learn more, visit the EWU Inclusion Week 2026 Website. For additional details or accommodation requests, please contact Stephanie Bradley, sbradley5@ewu.edu.
Disability Pride Days
Monday, April 27
Somatic Sovereignty & Creative Resistance | Noon–1:15 p.m. | Senior Hall 101
Workshop on “Somatic Sovereignty Mapping the Architecture of Resilience and Reclaiming the Body” with facilitator Nancy Benson.
Student Poster Sessions (Digital) | 1:30 – 3 p.m. | Senior Hall 101 or via Zoom with Faculty Commons Meeting ID: 946-833-6002
A virtual showcase where students present research and creative projects centered on disability identity, accessibility and inclusion.
Cripping Stand-Up | 3–4 p.m. | Senior Hall 101 or via Zoom with Faculty Commons Meeting ID: 946-833-6002
Facilitator Ryan Parrey explores how disability is addressed by disabled stand-up comedians. We will focus on ways that assumptions and expectations about disabled people show up even before a single joke is told.
Disability Pride Days Promenade & Tabling | 4–5 p.m. | Outside of Senior Hall
A celebratory community march and resource fair designed to honor disability culture and connect attendees with local advocacy organizations.
Tuesday, April, 28
Access, Advocacy & Action | Noon–1:15 p.m. | Senior Hall 101or via Zoom using Faculty Commons Meeting ID: 946-833-6002
A campus resources panel will discuss access with Housing, Career Services, SASS, Student Affairs, OEDB, and Honors. Key representatives from those departments will discuss the specific accommodations and support systems available to students.
Disabled Student Roundtable | 1:30 – 3 p.m. | Senior Hall 101
A peer-led exchange where disabled students provide direct, unfiltered insights on navigating the social and academic realities of university life, prioritizing shared expertise over institutional jargon. Come to this session with questions in mind.
Advocacy Hours | 3 – 4 p.m. | Senior Hall 101 or via Zoom using Faculty Commons Meeting ID: 946-833-6002
A collaborative workshop focused on identifying systemic barriers and developing collective strategies for disability-led activism on campus.
Live Recording of Crip Campus Podcast | 4 – 5 p.m. | Senior Hall 101 or via Zoom using Faculty Commons Meeting ID: 946-833-6002
A live-audience session featuring authentic conversations about the disabled experience in higher education for an episode of Crip Campus.
Wednesday, April 29
Community Spaces & Crip Pedagogy | Noon–1:15 p.m. | SASS Open House | Hargreaves 015
Join us to learn more about what SASS is, what we do, and get to know the team.
Access Tour | 1:30 – 3 p.m. | Begins at SASS office in Hargreaves 015
Interactive walk-through of campus designed to identify and evaluate the functionality of essential accessibility features like ramps, elevators, and power-assist doors.
Pedagogy Talk by Kelly Munger | 3–4 p.m. | Senior Hall 101 or via Zoom using Faculty Commons Meeting ID: 946-833-6002
There is scarce research on the needs of disabled faculty members. Ableist systems within higher education often prohibit qualified individuals from attaining faculty positions or earning promotions. This presentation focuses on barriers that disabled faculty may encounter and strategies to ameliorate some of these obstacles.
Reading Group | 4–5 p.m. | Senior Hall 101 or via Zoom using Faculty Commons Meeting ID: 946-833-6002
Read and discuss short articles and poems about disability together.
Stand Up Comedy Video & Discussion with Desiree Walsh | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Senior Hall 101 and via Zoom
Join us for a conversation with comedian Desiree Walsh. We will discuss how she confronts ableism while affirming disability.
Find EWU faculty and staff who are experts in diverse subjects.