UIC Disability Cultural Center

UIC Disability Cultural Center Mission Statement: The UIC DCC affirms and celebrates disability communities by exploring intersecti Explores disability identity development.

Vision Statement: Striving towards justice and liberation for all people with disabilities on the UIC campus and beyond. The UIC DCC seeks to create an environment that:

Centers the perspectives and experiences of disabled people. Supports relationship-building in the context of disability culture. Honors the diverse, intersectional nature of disability communities. Promotes activism and disabili

ty justice. Considers disability culture through interdisciplinary inquiry. Embraces the resources of our urban campus, connecting to Chicago’s cultural life, communities, and organizations. Strives for accessibility of all programming and communications.

Accessible Juneteenth is in 4 HOURS! Join us for community, food, and performances! This year, DJ Matt () returns again...
06/16/2026

Accessible Juneteenth is in 4 HOURS! Join us for community, food, and performances! This year, DJ Matt () returns again to bless us with music for this celebration!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave & on Zoom (for performances only)

Accessible Juneteenth is an event for everyone to enjoy, particularly disabled people in the African diaspora.

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Check out more info & Zoom link registration on the event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

ID: Promotional graphic for “Accessible Juneteenth” featuring DJ Matt standing behind DJ equipment while smiling at the camera. He wears a purple checkered shirt and bright green headphones. The background includes red African-inspired geometric patterns, tropical leaves, colorful stars, and stylized Chicago skyline elements in gold and purple. White flowers and purple violets decorate the lower corners. A gold banner displays the name “DJ Matt.” Event text reads: “Accessible Juneteenth,” “June 16, 2026,” “4–7:30 PM,” and “Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654.”

Accessible Juneteenth is TODAY!! Join us for community, food, and performances from another one of our amazing performe...
06/16/2026

Accessible Juneteenth is TODAY!! Join us for community, food, and performances from another one of our amazing performers, Cherlnell Lane ( )!!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave & on Zoom (for performances only)

Accessible Juneteenth is an event for everyone to enjoy, particularly disabled people in the African diaspora.

About Cherlnell:
Cherlnell Lane, known creatively as The Poetic Storyteller, is an international performer, playwright, author, and "linguistic alchemist." She transforms the raw weight of human experience into resonant, living art that transcends borders. When she speaks, the message does not merely travel through the room—it travels through people, taking up residence within the listener because the truth she shares is a message that must be carried.

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Check out more info & Zoom link registration on the event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

ID: Promotional graphic for “Accessible Juneteenth” featuring performer Cherlnell Lane. Cherlnell is pictured smiling and wearing a vibrant yellow top. The background uses layered red African-inspired geometric patterns with tropical leaves, colorful stars, and stylized Chicago landmarks including the Sears Tower and Wrigley Building in gold and purple tones. White flowers and purple violets frame the lower portion of the image. A gold banner displays the name “Cherlnell Lane.” Text below reads: “Accessible Juneteenth,” “June 16, 2026,” “4–7:30 PM,” and “Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654.”

Accessible Juneteenth is TWO DAYS AWAY! Join us for community, food, and performances from awesome featured artists lik...
06/14/2026

Accessible Juneteenth is TWO DAYS AWAY! Join us for community, food, and performances from awesome featured artists like jada thompson ( )!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave & on Zoom (for performances only)

Accessible Juneteenth is an event for everyone to enjoy, particularly disabled people in the African diaspora.

About jada thompson:
jada thompson is a speaker, poet, storyteller, disability justice advocate, and content creator from the chicago area. her work explores the intersections of disability justice, spirituality, creativity, and community, with a focus on helping people feel seen, valued, and included.
a longtime advocate for accessibility and belonging, jada serves as a global ambassador for best buddies and assistant secretary of chicagoland autism connection. she is also involved in community organizing and advocacy efforts throughout the chicagoland area. her perspectives have been featured on abc7 chicago, nbc5 chicago, and cbs chicago.
through public speaking, poetry, digital storytelling, and her “quirky faith” approach to life, jada invites people to embrace curiosity, celebrate difference, and imagine a more inclusive world. when she’s not advocating or creating, she enjoys music, nature, museums, and exploring the connections between wellness, spirituality, and social change.

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Check out more info & Zoom link registration on the event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

Image description in alt-text and comments!

Here comes another wonderful featured performer for this year's Accessible Juneteenth, which is IN THREE DAYS!! We are ...
06/13/2026

Here comes another wonderful featured performer for this year's Accessible Juneteenth, which is IN THREE DAYS!! We are excited to have Ms. Mamas () with us this year!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave & on Zoom (for performances only)

Accessible Juneteenth is an event for everyone to enjoy, particularly disabled people in the African diaspora.

About Ms. Mamas:
Ms. Mamas is a multifaceted writer from the East Side of Chicago. She graduated from Saint Xavier University with a degree in Strategic Communications, and has been traveling around the world performing poetry and spoken word. As of now, she is a creative writing and English teacher by day, and multi-literate write in between shifts. Her goal is to touch, teach, and transform her community through the stories of her people. Her goal is to use poetry, journalism, and literature to unify marginalized, disabled, black and brown, youth other communities that need a voice.

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Check out more info & Zoom link registration on the event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

ID: Promotional graphic for Accessible Juneteenth featuring performer Ms. Mamas. A black-and-white portrait of Ms. Mamas holding an open book is centered against a red patterned background with tropical leaves, decorative stars, handwritten script, flowers, and Chicago landmarks. Her name appears on a gold banner beneath the portrait. Text below reads "Accessible Juneteenth" with event details: June 16, 2026, from 4:00–7:30 PM at Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60654.”.

We are excited to announce another one of our amazing featured performers, Victoria Boateng ( ) for Accessible Juneteent...
06/12/2026

We are excited to announce another one of our amazing featured performers, Victoria Boateng ( ) for Accessible Juneteenth!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave & on Zoom (for performances only)

Accessible Juneteenth is an event for everyone to enjoy, particularly disabled people in the African diaspora.

About Victoria Boateng:
Victoria Boateng is an African drummer, educator, performer, and autism self-advocate. She is the founder of Victoria Djembe Academy, where she uses traditional West African drumming to empower people with disabilities by building confidence, social skills, and self-expression. Victoria also performs with Ayodele Drum and Dance, promoting cultural awareness, inclusion, and community through the arts.

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Check out more info & Zoom link registration on the event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

ID: Promotional graphic for “Accessible Juneteenth” featuring percussionist Victoria Boateng playing a hand drum while looking upward and smiling. She wears a bright orange patterned outfit with multicolored detailing. The background features layered red African-inspired geometric patterns, tropical leaves, colorful stars, and stylized Chicago skyline elements in gold and purple tones. White flowers and purple violets frame the lower portion of the image. A gold banner displays the name “Victoria Boateng.” Event details below read: “Accessible Juneteenth,” “June 16, 2026,” “4–7:30 PM,” and “Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654.”

Join us for community, food, and performances from featured performers at Accessible Juneteenth 2026! We are thrilled t...
06/11/2026

Join us for community, food, and performances from featured performers at Accessible Juneteenth 2026! We are thrilled to announce as one of our featured performers in this year's line up!!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave & on Zoom (for performances only)

Accessible Juneteenth is an event for everyone to enjoy, particularly disabled people in the African diaspora.

About Double AA:
His Clark Kent name is Aaron. His Superman is Double AA. Born and raised in the Rogers Park area of Chicago, he is a rapper, producer, multi instrumentalist, poet, and more.
Double AA caught the music bug as a kid, when he started learning guitar, and later touched the keys with piano. His parents would often play music from people like Buddy Guy, B B King, Bruce Springsteen, Motown, John Coltrane, Frankie Sinatra, and so on. Outside he was exposed to hip hop. One of his early introductions to hip hop was the late rapper Coolio. His musical influences are very diverse. Some of his favorite artists and bands include the likes of Common, Rage Against the Machine, Linkin Park, Brandy, Seal, Nas, Public Enemy, and more.
Double AA also gets his influence from comic book superheroes, and meeting his hero, the late Marvel Comics co creator Stan Lee. He currently has his album “The Kid Who Wanted to be a Superhero” on all streaming platforms, and is almost finished with his second album, which will be politically charged.
In addition to music, Double AA is an occasional actor, and is also a poet. This year he co created his own open mic “Voices of the Village” with friend and fellow artist AJ Thee Artist, which currently is a monthly open mic, on every third Tuesday at Salty Books & Beans on Chicago’s south side. The goal for the open mic is to help artists find their identity and sound.

Continued in comments!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026 is NEXT WEEK!! Join us for a celebration of the Black disability community at a fun and acce...
06/08/2026

Accessible Juneteenth 2026 is NEXT WEEK!! Join us for a celebration of the Black disability community at a fun and accessible, family friendly event!

🗓Tuesday, June 16, 4:00-7:30pm
📍Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave

This year, DJ Matt returns to bless us with music fit for our Accessible Juneteenth celebration. We will also have performances from Double AA, Cherlnell Lane, Jada Thompson, Victoria Djembe, and Miss Mamas.

We are excited to share food from Cook It Mama Café (sandwiches & salads with vegan & gluten-free options).

We'll have tables where you can meet people from Black-owned and disability-owned/friendly organizations and businesses. If you’re a Black and/or disability-owned/friendly business or organization and would like to be an exhibitor, sign up at: https://forms.gle/bxvyNLbF25v7RQ2a7

We are also looking for volunteers to help run many aspects of Accessible Juneteenth; if you’re interested, sign up at: https://forms.gle/sdwMB58rDTipznm19

Schedule/What to Expect:
4:00 pm Doors Open
4:30 pm Welcome and Announcements
5:00 pm Showcase
Throughout: Food! Exhibitors! And more
7:30 pm Event ends/doors close

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

For more full details and information, check out the Accessible Juneteenth event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

This event is brought to you by Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, Access Living, The Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago, UIC Disability Cultural Center, Center for Racial and Disability Justice (University of California, Los Angeles), UIC Black Studies, UIC Black Cultural Center, and UIC Chancellors Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (CCSPD).

Image description in comments and alt-text!

SAVE THE DATE for our 6th annual Accessible Juneteenth event!! Join the UIC Disability Cultural Center, the Chicagoland...
05/20/2026

SAVE THE DATE for our 6th annual Accessible Juneteenth event!! Join the UIC Disability Cultural Center, the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition (supported by UIC’s Institute on Disability and Human Development), and the Center for Racial and Disability Justice to celebrate the Black disability community!

Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

We want to make Juneteenth a fun and accessible experience for everyone, including disabled, neurodivergent, and Deaf people in the African Diaspora. We will have food, performances, and exhibitors in this family-friendly, non-alcoholic event!

More information on performers, food, and access information will be coming soon! Stay tuned in for updates on volunteering and exhibiting opportunities!

ID: Save-the-date sign for Accessible Juneteenth. A vibrant collage on a red patterned background features Black disabled performers and activists, Chicago landmarks including the Sears Tower, Wrigley Building, and The Bean, leaves, violet flowers, and the blue, red, and white-starred Juneteenth flag. Large white text reads “Accessible Juneteenth.” Event details: June 16, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:30 PM at Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654. Logos for Access Living, the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, the UIC Disability Cultural Center, and the Center for Racial and Disability Justice appear at the bottom.

The DCC lounge spaces will be closed this summer! We'll still be doing our dreaming and scheming remotely, so you can ...
05/08/2026

The DCC lounge spaces will be closed this summer! We'll still be doing our dreaming and scheming remotely, so you can always reach us via email Monday through Friday. Contact us at [email protected].

Have a wonderful and safe summer everyone!

ID: Light blue graphic with dandelions and "Summer Hours" in bubble text. All text transcribed in caption.

Congratulations 2025-26 graduates!! 🎉🎉(confetti emojis)We are so thrilled to honor the time, hard work, persistence, pas...
05/06/2026

Congratulations 2025-26 graduates!! 🎉🎉(confetti emojis)

We are so thrilled to honor the time, hard work, persistence, passion, and energy you have put toward earning your degrees. These folks have expressed commitment to the DCC mission and are now moving into new spaces in their communities and professions (whether they have lived experience with disability and/or identify as allies/accomplices - this list includes both)!

We wish you the best of luck in your next chapter, and congratulations on this accomplishment!

ID1-8: Neon green background with list of names of graduates (all transcribed in caption & comments).
ID1: Neon green graphic with icons of navy graduation caps, disability pride flags, and the UIC logo on a flag.

Address

1007 W Harrison Street
Chicago, IL
60607

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17735512571

Website

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