Vilissa Thompson’s Black Disabled Woman Syllabus

Vilissa Thompson, over at Ramp Your Voice, has put together a “Black Disabled Woman Syllabus.” It’s a massive collection of links from various intersectional angles, a living document always ready to be expanded, and a fantastic resource. Thompson writes: Over the past few weeks, I have been approached by individuals who wanted to understand the … Continue ReadingVilissa Thompson’s Black Disabled Woman Syllabus

A New Jim Crow: Disability and Racial Segregation in Georgia “Psychoeducational” Schools

This is a must read piece on the use of “psychoeducational” schools to segregate predominantly black children in Georgia from their peers. At age 7, David was too much for his teachers to handle. So they decided to send him to a special program — unique to Georgia — called a psychoeducational school. He was … Continue ReadingA New Jim Crow: Disability and Racial Segregation in Georgia “Psychoeducational” Schools

Ads and Disability – Kleenex pairs Disabled People with Cute Dogs

Here’s a long analysis of disability in “ad-land,” from New Mobility, focusing heavily on visible disabilities (and especially people in wheelchairs). The author is more optimistic than I am and more dismissive of inspiration porn as a problem (there’s a lot of – sure, sentimental, but it’s great – analysis), but has both some good points … Continue ReadingAds and Disability – Kleenex pairs Disabled People with Cute Dogs

Lydia Brown on Internalizing Ableism and “The Movement”

Lydia Brown has a great new essay on internalizing ableism. We all consume the oppressive mental structures of our society – racism, ableism, classism, sexism, etc. – and replicate them within our discourse, actions, and thoughts from time to time. It’s part of why I think apology and restoration of community is so important and … Continue ReadingLydia Brown on Internalizing Ableism and “The Movement”

The Revictimization of a Transgender, Disabled, Immigrant: Oppressions Intersect

Content Note: Rape, Abuse, Violence Intersectionality is often used in very positive ways – to affirm multiple identities, to demand voice for the multiply marginalized, and so forth. This is valid and vital, but I read the source material (Crenshaw’s work) as saying something less pleasant. To me, the core message of intersectionality is that … Continue ReadingThe Revictimization of a Transgender, Disabled, Immigrant: Oppressions Intersect

WBEZ: Trading parental rights for mental health care

In our system, parents have to abandon their disabled children (officially anyway) in order to make the state into a child’s legal guardian, and thus the state will provide actual health care. From WBEZ: One of the worst moments in Eileen’s life was the day she called a local Chicago hospital to tell them she … Continue ReadingWBEZ: Trading parental rights for mental health care

Upcoming Webinar: Disability and Journalism – Telling Better Stories

I’m very excited to announced that I will be joining with Lawrence Carter-Long to offer a free webinar on disability and journalism on May 11, via The Poynter Institute.  There are 56 million Americans who identify as disabled. Tens of millions more are connected to disability as direct caregivers or family members. Yet journalism about … Continue ReadingUpcoming Webinar: Disability and Journalism – Telling Better Stories