Disability Cultural Center (DCC)

Eight white canvases hanging in two rows on the wall with hand-lettering “What does disability culture mean to you?” surrounded by small hand-written words and drawings added by community membersThe DCC encompasses physical space, programming, and community to uplift, affirm, and celebrate disability identity and culture on campus. Disability culture is the shared history, traditions, and experiences of disabled people; disability culture happens when disabled people are creating, being, doing from a place of disability and is present in visual art, film, music, sports, activism, and more. Holding all this, the DCC intends to increase disabled belonging and appreciation of disability culture at UW-Madison.

The DCC is open to all students, regardless of disability identity, disclosure, or affiliation with the McBurney Disability Resource Center. All students are welcome to explore their relationship to disability and develop an appreciation for disability culture.

Location

702 W. Johnson St, Room 2096

2nd floor accessible via stairs or elevator

Hours

Summer 2024 (effective May 13, 2024)

Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM

Get Connected!

Learn about DCC events and opportunities!

Follow us on Instagram @uw_disability.

Join the “Disability Cultural Center List” by emailing “dcc+subscribe@g-groups.wisc.edu” or subscribing on Google Groups.

Staff

Photo of Helen

Helen Rottier

Position title: Disability Cultural Center Program Coordinator

Email: helen.rottier@wisc.edu

Phone: (608) 262-2753

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Disability Cultural Center (DCC) Interns

Email: dcc@mcburney.wisc.edu

Accessing the DCC

Getting to the DCC

Red wall and open door to the DCC with metal sign that reads “James Graaskamp Conference Room" and room number “2096,” along with a banner that reads “UW-Madison Disability Cultural Center.”The DCC space is located at 702 W. Johnson, in the same building as the McBurney Disability Resource Center and diagonally across the street from Witte Hall and on the same block as the Walgreens and Fresh Madison Market. Enter from the sidewalk near the NW corner of W. Johnson and Lake St. The DCC is located on the 2nd floor, accessible via stairs or elevator. From the stairs or elevator, the DCC is down the corridor straight ahead and to the right.

Sign-In

When you use the DCC, please complete the electronic sign-in form. You can also access the form by scanning the QR codes posted in the space. You can complete the form anonymously by leaving the space for name and email blank. Thank you for signing in – this helps us track how the space is being used.

Masks

N95 masks and surgical masks are provided immediately to the left when entering the DCC. You are welcome to take and wear a mask if you are able. Masks are not required in the DCC, but certain events will request and encourage attendees to wear masks.

Social Battery Badges

Social battery badges are provided, along with visual instructions in the space for how to use the badges. The badges are plastic sleeves, each with three colored cards inside. Display the card that matches your preference: Green = I want to have a conversation, come say hi! Yellow = Please only talk to me if we have met before. Red = Please do not talk to me.

Snacks & Juice

Individually packaged snacks are available on the counter near the sink. All are welcome to enjoy snacks in the DCC. Some snacks may contain allergens – please read food labels carefully. There is juice or soda in the mini fridge near the sink. Please dispose of your snack wrappers in the trash – there is a trash can that pulls out of the counter to the left of the sink. Please use one of the cleaning wipes provided to wipe down any surfaces where you ate your snack.

Coffee, Tea, & Hot Chocolate

The DCC has a Keurig to make hot beverages and a selection of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Ensure the machine is plugged in and the water reservoir is full. Lift the front handle of the machine to insert a coffee pod; for tea and hot chocolate you will run the machine without a pod. Place a cup or mug on the front of the machine. Press power, select the size of your mug (8, 10, 12 oz.), and press the center button marked “K” to start.

Games, Fidgets, & Craft Supplies

There are usually fidgets and activities available throughout the space. If you are interested in an activity that is not readily available (for example, if the beads are on the shelf and you want to make a bracelet), you are welcome to pull stuff out of storage bins and cupboards. Please tidy up after yourself and return or rotate activities back to where they are stored. Storage bins and cupboards are labeled.