Every year the Center for Neurodiversity Education, Support and Training (NEST) hosts a Expert Speaker Series on a diverse range of topics.

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Communication Access in Action: Responding to Accommodation Requests and Advocating in Professional Environments

Jonathan Ozek

• When: September 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. EST
• Where: Virtual via Zoom. Email: ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu for the Zoom link.
• Cost: free

This session explores what effective accessibility looks like in real‑world professional settings — from responding appropriately when someone requests a workplace accommodation, to identifying communication barriers before they escalate, to advocating for disability rights in the workplace. Through lived experience, practical frameworks, and actionable strategies, Jonathan will guide participants in understanding how to create environments where Deaf, Hard‑of‑Hearing, and disabled individuals can thrive. The session emphasizes communication, collaboration, and connection as core pillars of inclusive practice.

• Recognize common communication and accessibility barriers in professional environments and understand how they impact disabled individuals.
• Respond effectively and respectfully to workplace accommodation requests, including what to say, what not to say, and how to follow through.
• Identify the rights and responsibilities related to disability accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) law.
• Apply practical advocacy strategies to support colleagues and community members when barriers arise or rights are denied.

About Jonathan Ozek

A Massachusetts‑based accessibility advocate, founder of the Hear You Rise Foundation, and volunteers as a Community Engagement and Social Media Director for the Hearing Loss Association of America – Boston Chapter. He serves on the Statewide Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, where he contributes to statewide communication access initiatives and disability policy efforts.

Jonathan speaks at universities, organizations, and community events across Massachusetts and beyond on communication access, ADA rights, and disability inclusion. Through Hear You Rise, he leads programs focused on empowering Deaf and Hard‑of‑Hearing individuals, strengthening workplace accessibility, and building environments where people feel heard, supported, and able to rise.

This event is sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Neurodiversity Education, Support and Training and the Interdisciplinary Minor in Disability Studies.

Email: ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu for questions or more information.

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