Dec. 2nd marked the anniversary of the passing of Ki’tay Davidson, an organizer whose work continues to create space for disabled joy and love. He was described by one beloved as “a gorgeous, radically living, out and proud black, disabled, queer trans man.” His work with Allie Cannington and T.L. Lewis to create the framework for Disability Solidarity remains as urgent and necessary as ever.
If you have some time, read T.L. Lewis’s eulogy for Ki’tay, published in Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century.
[I]t was Ki'tay's ability to sit with and actively love oppressors and those who were violent toward him and marginalized communities—most often solely because they do not adhere to that which has been deemed “normal”—that truly set him apart. He could breathe life and love into even those people within mere moments of making their acquaintance. This is what makes him special—reminiscent of what some here may call a prophet; others, a wise man; others still, a light or sage.
See also: Ki’tay’s open letter on being named a White House Champion of Change in 2013 and Crip Camp and Adobe’s fellowship in honor of Ki’tay.
Now, some news:
As institutions around the world celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3rd, disabled activists pointed to the gap between organizations’ vague intentions to support disability communities and the urgent work that must be done to meet the immediate survival needs of disabled people.
A new report from the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that disabled people are disproportionately affected by violent crime and victimization - and crimes against disabled people are growing.
Results from the 3rd annual Home Care Benchmarking Survey show that worker-owned home care cooperatives are growing and offering better quality jobs for workers.
The U.S. Center for Plain Language released its 2021 Report Card evaluating federal agencies’ compliance with the Plain Writing Act. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was the only agency to get straight As. Separately, recent research shows major stylistic variation in plain language writing.
The American Association of People with Disabilities released a social media toolkit to advocate for the passage of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act that would end the system that allows employees to legally pay disabled workers sub-minimum wages.
The Washington Post recently published an indelible account of the grief following the death of disabled beloveds. (I want to share this piece for the rare density of detail in the writing, but I want to signal that it is likely to activate many tender points for those who mourn.)
Now, art stuff:
A new report by the British organization On The Move called “Time To Act” promises “the first transnational evidence that lack of knowledge in the mainstream cultural sector is a key barrier preventing disabled artists and arts professionals participating equally in European culture.”
At NADA Miami last week, Creative Growth represented 4 disabled artists: Dan Miller, Ron Veasey, Ying Ge Zhou, and John Mullins.
All That You Touch, You Change organized by Wages for Wages Against has opened at Helmhaus Zürich. The exhibition features the work of Shannon Finnegan with Alex Dolores Salerno, Carly Mandel, Christine Sun Kim, Jeff Kasper, Jillian Crochet, Joselia Rebekah Hughes, Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Pelenakeke Brown, Rebirth Garments, Sandra Wazaz, Yo-Yo Lin & Zach Ozma.
Crutch, the documentary that chronicles the life and work of Bill Shannon, is streaming on Discovery+.
PBS News Hour reported on a new song by James Ian called “Spaces.”
The Australia Council for the Arts’ 3rd annual National Arts and Disability Awards this year honored Eliza Hull (National Leadership Award), Timothy Cook (Established Artist Award), and Georgia Scott (Young Artist Award).
Researchers in the U.K. and Germany have received major funding to study thousands of artifacts in the disability art collection of Hans Würtz.
An organization called Moon Landing has announced an upcoming auction to support neurodiversity in the rapidly growing field of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Jamila Prowse offers a reflection on artistry that grapples with illness and misdiagnosis for Frieze.
ARTNews recently published an account of Sara Hendren’s work with Kinetic Light to build an architectural ramp for the collective’s tour of Descent.
Some calls:
On a tan background the words "Disability Justice Trainer" in a lavender box. Below it reads "0.5 FTE || 20 to 25 hrs a week || $50-55K DOE" followed by a description in black text that reads "Sins Invalid is HIRING for a Disability Justice Trainer to provide virtual trainings and workshops, and to represent Sins Invalid at conferences and panels. Must have excellent public speaking, teaching, and organizational skills. Must be bilingual in Spanish or ASL." A green box states the application is in the bio and "Deadline: January 17, 2022 @ 6PM PST" appears in a purple bar.
Sins Invalid is hiring a Disability Justice Trainer. Apply here by January 17, 2022 at 6pm PST.
The Fat Legal Advocacy, Rights, & Education (FLARE) Project is seeking responses to its Rationing Care Survey, “created to help gather the stories of people who are having trouble getting medical care during COVID.” The survey is available in English and Spanish.
The Wicked movie intends to cast a wheelchair user in the role of Nessarose. To be considered, send an unlisted YouTube video introducing yourself to wickefilmcasting@gmail.com.
Dance/USA is inviting letters of inquiry for its $30,000 DFA Fellowships. 30-minute one-on-one proposal coaching sessions are available.
Nominations are being accepted until Dec. 13th for multiply marginalized residents of Oregon and Washington to receive $500 Community Care Awards coordinated by Affect.
Finally, this week’s events:
Tonight, Dec. 6 from 6-7pm PT, Shayda Kafai and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha will discuss Crip Kinship on Zoom, presented by the Seattle Public Library. ASL and CART. No cost. Register here.
Also tonight from 5-6:30pm CT, 3Arts/Bodies of Work Fellow Grishma Shah will offer a workshop on “Legacies & Lasting Impressions.” ASL and CART. No cost. Register here.
On Dec. 8 from 7-8:30pm ET, Gibney presents Sorry I Missed Your Show with Brandon Kazen-Maddox and Alexandria Wailes discussing ASL Dance Theatre, working with the Deaf community, the role of a Director of ASL, and the relationship between dance, theater, ASL and music. ASL and live captioning. No cost. Register here.
The Institute for the Development of Human Arts’ 5-year virtual party and fundraiser will take place on Dec. 9th from 6-8pm ET on Zoom and features a keynote by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha. ASL and CART. $50-500. Register here.
Micah Bazant is offering open office hours for movement art support. $30-150. More info here.
On Dec. 9th from 7-8pm ET on Zoom, the final conversation in a 3-part series on the life and work of Fannie Lou Hamer inspired by Dr. Keisha Blain’s new book, Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer's Enduring Message to America, will be moderated by Yomi Wrong in conversation with Reyma McCoy McDeid, Azza Altiraifi, and Claudia Alick. ASL and CART. No cost. Register here.
On Dec. 9th from 7-8:30pm ET livestreamed online, Dean Spade offers the third workshop in Barnard Center for Research on Women’s Building Capacity for Mutual Aid Groups series, this one focused on giving and receiving feedback. ASL and live transcription in English and Spanish. $5 suggested. Register here.
Dick Rivington & the Cat by disability arts collective ONEOFUS/The Panto Project is open at Abrons Arts Center through Dec. 19th. More info here.
Hope you have a great week.
