April 28th, 12-1pm ET (virtual, with optional in-person watch party)Zoom link to be shared after registrationIn-person watch party available in NE49-5145 L-Lab (600 Technology Square, MIT ID required)ASL interpretation and CART services provided. Additional accommodations can be requested via the registration form.Questions: Amy Levin amyelev@mit.edu Register here (by 4/27 for virtual, by 4/17 for in-person watch-party)

The Disabilities ERG and co-sponsors are thrilled to welcome Haben Girma to speak to the MIT Community in a virtual event about accessibility, providing a refreshing take on the universal need for accommodations. Haben is an award-winning advocate, author, and keynote speaker, and the first DeafBlind graduate of Harvard Law School.

Why Haben for MIT?

Access Matters: Ensuring all community members can fully participate, optimally contribute, and experience genuine belonging provides the foundation for MIT's social, professional, and academic excellence.

People with disabilities and those from marginalized groups often experience barriers first and most acutely—serving as "canaries in the coal mine" when systems aren't working optimally. Because they're impacted more severely, they identify needed adjustments earlier than others. Addressing these needs drives innovation, functionality, and better outcomes for everyone, creating a healthier work environment where all can thrive.

We believe Haben's embodiment of MIT's values—Excellence & Curiosity, Openness & Respect, and Belonging & Community—could ignite a paradigm shift in how accessibility is understood, managed, and experienced by disabled and non-disabled students, faculty, and staff alike, allowing MIT to grow into its full potential.

Bio

The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is an award-winning advocate, author, and keynote speaker. She earned the Helen Keller Achievement Award, reached Forbes 30 under 30, and President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change. She believes disability challenges are opportunities for innovation, sparking new technologies that move society forward. Haben travels the globe teaching organizations how to build stronger, resilient, and more connected communities.

A spellbinding speaker, her keynotes have touched the stages of Apple, Bottega Veneta, Disney, Gartner, Google, Microsoft, Oxford University, and many more. Her engaging presentations ignite audiences to make positive changes in their communities. TIME included her as a speaker in TIME100 Talks. More about Haben here.

This event is made possible by the generosity of these MIT DLCIs and ERGs:

African, Black, Caribbean (ABAC) ERGAsian Pacific America (APA) ERGLesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer (LBGTQ+) ERGOpen LearningSchool of Architecture and Planning: Media Lab's Program in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS)School of Engineering AeroAstro DepartmentSchool of Engineering Chemical Engineering DepartmentSchool of Engineering Communication LabSchool of Engineering Staff Advice and Implementation Committee (SAIC)School of Engineering Technical Leadership and Communication (TLC) ProgramsSchool of Science Community and Student Support

View on site | Email this event