DISABILITY AWARENESS
Disability doesn’t mean ‘inability’. There’s no better way to learn about people with disabilities than through direct interaction. The Ability Experience strives to educate the men of Pi Kappa Phi by creating shared experiences between them and people with disabilities. Through these firsthand interactions, we are able to see the abilities in all people. While people with disabilities often have to do things a little differently, they have the ability to have jobs, play sports and join fraternities just like everyone else. The shared experiences created by our chapters help break down some of the stereotypes on campus and in their communities.
The Beta Omicron Chapter also hosts events on campus to help bring awareness to various national and global disability-centered campaigns like Spread the Word.
FUNDRAISING
Pi Kappa Phi truly excels beyond all other fraternities in philanthropic fundraising.
Creative fundraising events like bike-a-thons, Pie A Pi Kapp and others have helped the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi collectively fundraise over $15 million in support of The Ability Experience’s programs. These funds are distributed across the country to benefit people with disabilities and provide more service opportunities for the men of Pi Kappa Phi.
VOLUNTEERISM
Pi Kappa Phi chapters across the country are becoming more involved in their communities through volunteer relationships with local organizations that support people with disabilities. Pi Kappa Phi chapters who have a volunteer relationship are eligible for grants through The Ability Experience to help people with disabilities in their local community.
Locally, the Beta Omicron Chapter is involved in the following projects:
MISS ABILITY PAGEANT
Thee Miss Ability Pageant, an outreach project of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, aims to raise awareness on behalf of people with disabilities. Prior to the competition, contestants are encouraged to raise funds and awareness for the fraternity’s philanthropy, The Ability Experience. The overall winner is selected based on judges’ scoring from interviews, fitness/sportswear, talent, evening gown, and an on-stage question. Miss Ability then serves as an official ambassador for The Ability Experience on the NSU campus during the following school year.
ABILITY WEEK
The Beta Omicron Chapter’s Ability Week aims to spread awareness about disabilities, raise funds for The Ability Experience, and provide service to enhance the lives of those with disabilities. The week has included disability awareness activities such as wheelchair relays, blindfold tee ball, “Spread the Word to End the Word” awareness campaign, a penny wars fundraiser, a scaffold sit, a pedaling marathon, friendship visits, or an empathy dinner.
NATCHITOCHES ARC PARTNERSHIP
Pi Kappa Phi regularly participates in friendship visits with the Natchitoches ARC. The partnership allows our members to interact with our friends with disabilities and provide services to the association as needed. Through this partnership, the Beta Omicron Chapter is able to award a ‘Circle of Giving’ grant through The Ability Experience. Circle of Giving grants are 25% of the chapter’s fundraising for the year and given to our local volunteer relationship.
AccessABILITY
This construction program provides opportunities for Pi Kappa Phis across the country to get involved in their local community. Through the construction of wheelchair ramps, The Ability Experience and Pi Kappa Phi are making homes more accessible for families year after year. This program is designed to benefit families who have a family member with a disability.
Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity | Beta Omicron Chapter 