Crip News v.26

NEWS

504 Sit-In Anniversary

45 years ago tomorrow, on April 5th, 1977, a broad coalition of disability activists began a 26-day occupation of a federal building in San Francisco in a powerful interruption of bureaucratic ableism. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed into law 4 years earlier, barring any federally funded program from discriminating against disabled people. But the law could not take effect without a signature from the Head of Health Education and Welfare. The protest catalyzed the Disability Rights movement in the U.S. and shows us the enduring love in crip civil disobedience.

Remote Rally for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court Confirmation

The video is out from the American Association of People with Disabilities’ rally to support Judge Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. The AAPD also led an open letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky after the agency changed its masking guidelines in late February.

Ameera, Disabled Muppet

This week on Ahlan Simsim, the Middle Eastern and North African version of Sesame Street, a new character who uses a wheelchair and arm crutches will make her TV debut.

Chronically Ill Artist Interviews

Louise Wildish from the Chronically ill Artists Network has published her research with chronically ill and disabled artists. Among her findings: more than 90% of artists hid their illness or its severity for fear of professional repercussions.

“Trading My Friends for My Community Has Saved My Life” by Robert Kingett

The Cave at UC Berkeley

Isabella Cueto’s essay about an underground hideaway in the Moffitt Library tells the history of a generation of blind innovators.

Unlimited, Independent

Unlimited, the U.K. commissioning organization that galvanized support for disability artistry through the 2012 London Paralympic Games, is now an independent nonprofit organization. Director Jo Verrent writes, “Expect big things. And hold us to account if we don’t deliver.”

Lead Poisoning Epidemic

The New York Times reports on the ways insurance and real estate industries have perpetuated a national crisis, especially in poor communities and intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From @chiara.acu: sunset colored roses of pinks and warm oranges are shown on a multicolored background of daisies. colorful star and heart-shaped rhinestones are scattered throughout, and so are golden small shiny stars. Red text on a pink background reads: "we deserve cities where our children can bloom"

PBS American Masters: Becoming Helen Keller

Extended videos from the fall 2021 PBS documentary about Helen Keller feature “Wawa” Snipes on hip-hop in the Deaf community, Elsa Sjunneson on updating DeafBlind representation, and more.

Disability & Death Sentences

Courts in Tennessee and Singapore have refused to halt the executions of intellectually disabled men. In late February, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from an intellectually disabled capital defendant in Georgia. State killings of disabled people are disturbingly common, despite being unconstitutional in the U.S.

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CALLS

Air Travel Access Testimony

The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has opened public comment from wheelchair users after its March 24th public meeting about air travel access. Submit your comments here.

Not Dead Yet

The “national, grassroots disability rights group that opposes legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia as deadly forms of discrimination” is hiring an Assistant Director/Policy Analyst.

AXIS Choreo-Lab

The in-person lab for disabled choreographers will take place in NYC and the Bay Area from June 14th to the 23rd. Applications are due April 15th.

Chronically Ill Online Gallery

chronicallyonlinegallery

A post shared by Chronically Online Gallery (@chronicallyonlinegallery)

An Instagram post with text: “There is often a disconnect between the mental health and disability community despite shared struggles, members, and advocacy. How do we see ourselves? How do we determine if we belong to a community? How does community influence our self-image? Does this struggle of identity fuel creativity? Who defines who belongs?” The Chronically Ill Online Gallery has issued an Open Call through April 15th. More here.

Intern with Judy Heumann

The disability rights pioneer, organizer in the 504 sit-in, and star of Crip Camp, seeks 2 summer interns. Apply by April 15th.

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EVENTS

• Candoco Dance Company will perform Set and Reset/Reset and Face In at BAM (Brooklyn) April 8th & 9th. Mark Morris Dance Center will host an artist workshop with the company on April 10th.

• The Museum of the Moving Image is hosting the Marvels of Media Festival, “the very first media awards ceremony, festival, and exhibition celebrating media-makers on the autism spectrum,” through April 30th. More here.

• The Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs (BIAESN) will host the 2022 ABLE Assembly: Arts Better the Lives of Everyone conference on April 9 and 10, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. More here.

• The Curiosity Paradox, Calling Up Justice, and Disability Justice Dreaming will present Dis/Rep 2022 (Disability Representation): Liberating Words, a six-week workshop involving collaborative meaning making through some of the key words used in Disability Justice and Racial Justice movements. More here.

• The Reel Abilities New York Film Festival begins Thursday, April 7th. More here.

• The NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities is hosting part 1 of a Deaf Town Hall focusing on housing lotteries and rent freeze today, April 4th at 6pm ET on Zoom. Register here.

• NYU will host Intersectional Disability Justice: Building Accessible Solidarity, featuring Diana Chao, Quemuel Arroyo, and Shanelle Gabriel on Thursday, April 7th from 6-7:15pm ET. More here.