Brookings Disability Awareness Committee

04/27/2026

Are you a family with neurodivergent kids? Mindful Village is a local, parent-run support group* that hosts regular inclusive social events.

Their next event is a plant "make & take" at McCrory Gardens! 🪴
Neurodivergent families will gather together, learn about plant needs, plant a pothos, socialize and explore the gardens.

📆 Tuesday, May 19th 4:30-6:00 p.m.
📍 McCrory Gardens (631 22nd Ave Brookings, SD)

All ages are welcome! They ask that individuals RSVP so they can ensure they have enough materials.

1:1 child support is available from South Dakota State University professor Dr. Lacy Knutson and her students, but does require an RSVP and a request for a 1:1.

*not affiliated with/sponsored by the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee or City of Brookings Government

03/31/2026

You're invited! 📖

Commit to Change ABA Therapy & Consulting, LLC is launching a book study for you to learn strategies that will help you and your child address anxiety 🧠✨

Commit to Change received a mini-grant from the BDAC to help fund this project!

Reach out to heather@commit2changeaba.com with any questions.

03/31/2026

Let's kick off ! ♾️

Join Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services in the Campanile Room/Hobo Day Lounge on the South Dakota State University campus for a community event focused on autism and education.

📆 April 1, 2026
⏰ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

03/19/2026

Check out ECHO Autism: Advocates is a virtual, no-cost program designed for professionals supporting young children with autism.

Program Dates:
2nd & 4th Fridays
April 10, 2026 - August 14, 2026

Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM CST
Location: Online via Zoom

If you've never attended a session before, a brief pre-survey (about 10 minutes to complete) will be included as part of your registration form.

If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, please contact their Program Coordinator: Brandy Dickey - dickeyb@missouri.edu

They look forward to having you join them!

Register here: https://redcap.missouri.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=L8LLP3CFTJHJY3TF

02/06/2026

Check out this spotlight on the Life Skills Lab at Mickelson Middle School, funded in part by a mini-grant from our committee!

Special education students at Mickelson Middle School have new opportunities to grow thanks to the new life skills lab.

The lab was created thanks to the energy and efforts of Alysha Hamann, life skills education teacher at MMS.

“As a special education teacher, I’m always thinking ‘I can always use that money for something. What could I do that’s really impactful?’”

https://www.brookingsregister.com/2026/02/06/recipe-for-success-new-mickelson-lab-helps-special-ed-students-gain-life-skills/

01/23/2026

Please check this out if you get a chance

01/22/2026

One of the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee mini grant recipients! Check out the story on KELO

At the Life Skills Lab at George Mickelson Middle School in Brookings, students with different abilities are learning valuable life lessons like making cookies.

12/03/2025

✨ Tonight's the night! We hope you'll join us for the 2025 Mayor's Holiday Celebration and Mayor's Awards event! 🎉🎄

📅 Tonight – Wednesday, December 3
🕔 Social starts at 5:00 PM.
🕕 Program begins at 6:00 PM.
🍷 Hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided.
📍 Dacotah Bank Center at 824 32nd Ave.
👚 Dress Code: Come as you are.

🏆 Mayor Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer, along with several of the City’s volunteer boards and commissions, will honor the 2025 Mayor’s Awards recipients, including:
● SDSU Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services for the BDAC's A.B.L.E. Award
● Cubby's Sports Bar & Grill for BDAC's Empower Award

💻 Learn more about them at https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5362

🎉🎄 Come celebrate the holiday season and congratulate these people and organizations on their contributions to our community!

11/20/2025

🗣️ It's tiiiiime!

If you are affiliated with a Brookings-local organization that serves disabled and neurodivergent community members, we invite you to apply for a mini grant of up to $250 to support your programming.

Submit your proposal to the City of Brookings Government Disability Awareness Committee at abc[at]cityofbrookings-sd[dot]gov by December 1, 2025. Check the comments for our formal release with more detailed information about the process.

We look forward to learning more about your program's impact! 🥳

11/12/2025

News Release: The Brookings Disability Awareness Committee (BDAC) has named two recipients of its 2025 Mayor's Awards.

The Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services at South Dakota State University has been selected for this year’s A.B.L.E. Award. Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill has been chosen for the Empower Award. Read full news release at https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5362

The awards will be presented at the annual Mayor’s Awards and Holiday Celebration event on Dec. 3, at the Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with the awards program starting at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend to help celebrate all awardees.

10/21/2025

Happening Tonight! Leadership through the Lens of Disability: Resilience, Empathy and Purpose

📅 Tuesday, Oct. 21
🕢 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
📍 Volstorff Ballroom West (SSU 101A), University Student Union, South Dakota State University campus

Billie Sutton, former South Dakota senator and founder of the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute, will speak. He will share his powerful journey of resilience and transformation after a spinal cord injury ended his professional rodeo career.

His story is a compelling testament to purpose and the impact of embracing the inherent strengths and abilities in all of us — showing how adversity can lead to empathy, innovation and meaningful leadership.

This event is a collaboration of the SDSU Office of Student Accessibility, Student Connection and Engagement; Brookings Disability Awareness Committee, and Human Resources.

09/17/2025

We're partnering with the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee to host another 8-week American Sign Language Class! This class will run every Wednesday at 6:00pm from September 24-November 19 (with no class on 10/15).

In this class, you'll learn basic American Sign Language from a trained instructor. Please only register if you can make it to all of the sessions, as each class builds on the previous one.

Registration is open now! Register online at http://bit.ly/regbpl

If registration fills up, please feel free to register on the waitlist! Sometimes spots for programs open up, and having people on a waitlist helps us know if we should offer a program again in the future.