October Awareness Days

Every month, we recognize disabilities, chronic illnesses, rare conditions, and other health-related challenges that impact individuals and communities around the world. This October, we are highlighting several important observances, including ADHD Awareness Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and World Stroke Day on October 29.

Each of these observances serves as a powerful reminder that awareness leads to understanding, understanding leads to action, and action can make a meaningful difference. By learning more about these conditions and the people they affect, we can help promote early diagnosis, support ongoing research, reduce stigma, and strengthen safety, support, and care practices.

October is also Disability Awareness Month! Join the Office of Disability Access and Resources (DAAR) and our campus and community partners as we celebrate, learn, connect, and bring awareness to disability experiences throughout the month. Check out all of our Disability Awareness Month events.

Together, we can continue building a more inclusive, informed, and compassionate community for all.

October is ADHD Awareness Month

ADHD Awareness Month is observed each October to increase understanding of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), share reliable information, and amplify the experiences of people with ADHD. It is an opportunity to challenge misconceptions and recognize the importance of support, accessibility, and inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects both children and adults. It can involve ongoing difficulties with sustained attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, as well as challenges with organizing tasks, getting started on activities, and working memory. There are three presentations of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. ADHD looks different for everyone, and each person’s experiences and support needs may vary. Many individuals with ADHD may also have co-occurring disabilities, often including anxiety, depression, and autism. ADHD falls under the umbrella term of neurodivergent identity.

Fact: Did you know that research shows that ADHD runs strongly in families; about 85% of people with ADHD have a close relative who also has it? 

The ADHD Awareness Month coalition brings together organizations around the world to share reliable information about ADHD and its treatment/supports. Through educational resources, personal stories, art, and community connections, the campaign encourages greater understanding and helps people find information and support.

Within our UMBC community, we can help by listening to people with ADHD, respecting individual needs, and creating learning and working environments that support different ways of processing information and completing tasks.

You can support ADHD Awareness Month by:

• Learning about ADHD and sharing accurate information
• Challenging myths and avoiding assumptions about someone’s effort or abilities
• Listening to and amplifying the voices of people with ADHD
• Sharing educational resources from organizations such as ACO, ADDA, and CHADD
• Supporting accessible learning and working environments from a universal design perspective

Together, we can increase understanding of ADHD and help build a campus community where people feel supported, respected, and included.

Learn more:ADHD Awareness Month

#ADHDAwarenessMonth #ADHDAwareness #ADHD #Neurodiversity #DisabilityAwareness #Accessibility #Inclusion #UMBC

 

October 29 is World Stroke Day

World Stroke Day is observed each October 29 to raise awareness of stroke, help people recognize its warning signs, and emphasize the importance of seeking emergency care immediately. It is also an opportunity to recognize stroke survivors, caregivers, families, and the healthcare professionals who support treatment and recovery.

The World Stroke Organization’s 2026 campaign emphasizes that every minute counts. Knowing the signs of stroke and being ready to #ActFAST can help save lives and improve recovery outcomes. Recognizing symptoms is something everyone in our UMBC community can learn.

Remember FAST:

• F — Face: Does one side of the face droop, or does the person’s smile look uneven?
• A — Arms: Is one arm weak or numb, or does it drift downward when both arms are raised?
• S — Speech: Is the person’s speech slurred or difficult to understand?
• T — Time: Call 911 immediately if you notice any of these signs, even if the symptoms go away.

Other warning signs can include sudden difficulty with balance, sudden vision changes, or a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Do not wait for every sign to appear before seeking emergency help.

Facts: Did you know that…

• Strokes are a leading cause of death in the U.S.?

• Strokes can occur at any age?

• About 80% of strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle habits and proper management of health conditions? 

World Stroke Day also reminds us to listen to survivors and recognize that recovery experiences and support needs vary. Accessible spaces, patience, and community support can help people remain connected and participate in everyday life after a stroke.

You can support World Stroke Day by:

• Learning the warning signs of stroke and sharing them with others
• Being ready to call 911 immediately when symptoms appear
• Sharing stroke awareness resources with friends, family, and colleagues
• Amplifying the experiences of stroke survivors and caregivers
• Supporting accessibility and inclusion for people living with the effects of stroke

Together, we can help our community recognize the signs, respond quickly, and support people throughout recovery.

Learn more:World Stroke Campaign

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

Dyslexia Awareness Month is observed each October to increase understanding of dyslexia, challenge misconceptions, and amplify the voices of children and adults with dyslexia. It is an opportunity to share reliable information and encourage support in classrooms, workplaces, and communities.

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can affect accurate word reading, decoding, reading fluency, and spelling. It is lifelong, but its impact and a person’s support needs can change over time. Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence or a lack of effort.

Did You Know? According to the International Dyslexia Association, as many as 15–20% of people may experience some symptoms of dyslexia, such as slow or inaccurate reading, spelling difficulties, or difficulty with written language. This estimate includes people with symptoms and does not mean that everyone in that group has a dyslexia diagnosis.

Appropriate instruction, accommodations, and assistive technology can help people with dyslexia access information and demonstrate their knowledge. Supports may include structured reading instruction, audiobooks, text-to-speech tools, and additional time for reading and writing tasks, depending on individual needs.

Within our UMBC community, we can help by listening to people with dyslexia, respecting their accommodations, and recognizing that people access and process written information in different ways.

You can support Dyslexia Awareness Month by:

• Learning about dyslexia and sharing accurate information
• Challenging myths and assumptions about reading ability and intelligence
• Amplifying the voices and experiences of people with dyslexia
• Sharing educational resources from the International Dyslexia Association
• Supporting accessible course materials and assistive technology
• Creating spaces where people feel comfortable asking for support

Together, we can increase understanding of dyslexia and help build a campus community where people feel respected, included, and supported.

Learn more:Dyslexia Basics — International Dyslexia Association

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Each October, the nation observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month to honor survivors, remember those who have passed, and raise awareness about the ongoing fight against breast cancer. Since 1989, breast cancer death rates in the United States have declined by 44 percent. This progress reflects decades of education, research, and early detection efforts that have saved more than half a million lives.

For over forty years, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has inspired communities to take action. Through increased awareness, screenings, and access to care, we continue to make strides in prevention and treatment.

For UMBC students and employees who may be going through breast cancer treatments or surgical recovery while in classes or on the job, please know that support may be available to you via the temporary disability accommodation process, if needed.

In addition, our partners in Human Resources are also a resource to employees to discuss leave benefits, such as FMLA, that may be needed for support during diagnosis, treatment, or recovery. Do not hesitate to contact HR or the Disability Access & Resources office with inquiries.

In honor of all those affected by breast cancer, all DAAR staff will wear pink on Fridays throughout October to show support and raise awareness within the UMBC community.