The HUB Lawn will be buzzing with activity today as the Body Fair, sponsored by the Disability Advocacy Student Alliance (DASA), leads students in an exploration of mind, body and disability.

A variety of tables and displays from DASA and other disability-related organizations, such as Disability Resources for Students and the Disability Services Office, will have information for both disabled and able-bodied students alike. Groups such as Ski for All, which helps physically disabled people enjoy athletic activities, will have some of their equipment on hand to show people what is available.

Today's event is part of a week of disability-awareness events organized by the Students with Disabilities Commission (SDC).

Senior Erica Sekins, director of the year-old SDC, said the body fair has two main objectives.

"We want to increase the awareness of disabilities on campus and the needs that go along with them," she said. "And for those students with a disability, we want to help them celebrate their individuality."

A group of three student dancers will be performing an integrated dance conceptualized and choreographed by senior Yulia Arakelyan, a dance major and DASA's action coordinator.

"I was inspired while dressing and getting my shirt stuck on my head and arms," Arakelyan said. "The song 'Keyhole' came on at that exact moment, and I started improvising and dancing with my shirt stuck on my head and my arms flailing about."

The dance, entitled "Your Flailing Ways," will be presented on the HUB lawn today at 12:20 p.m.

"We are hoping to display a bunch of student's artwork," said senior Jessie Shulman, a DASA member. "And we are hoping that students stop by to check out the dance between classes."

Professor Paul Miller of the UW School of Law will contribute to the day's festivities by speaking at 4:30 p.m. in HUB room 106B. As the director of the school's disability program, he will be speaking to commemorate legislation that provides equal access to education for disabled students.

"These events are important for students that are not disabled as well," Sekins said. "Allies have a huge role in the community; you don't have to be disabled to help. After all, no one person experiences all forms of disability."

There will be a discussion panel in Mary Gates Hall room 295 tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. to educate and explore invisible disabilities such as learning disabilities, schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder; all students are encouraged to attend.

Junior Ryan Benson, vice president of DASA, said he hopes today's event will help promote disability awareness on campus.

"It's easy to tell that I have a disability," said Benson, who uses a wheelchair. "But the person sitting next to you in class may have one as well; just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there."

Reach contributing writer Jeremiah Rygus at news@thedaily.washington.edu.