Disability Visibility - by Alice Wong

Beginning Wednesday, Nov 6th, 2024 we’ll be discussing Disability Visibility (IUCAT), edited by Alice Wong, with discussion facilitated by Aaron “Fish” Miller. 

From Amazon’s description of the book: “According to the last census, one in five people in the United States lives with a disability. Some are visible, some are hidden--but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Now, just in time for the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together an urgent, galvanizing collection of personal essays by contemporary disabled writers. There is Harriet McBryde Johnson's "Unspeakable Conversations," which describes her famous debate with Princeton philosopher Peter Singer over her own personhood. There is columnist S. E. Smith's celebratory review of a work of theater by disabled performers. There are original pieces by up-and-coming authors like Keah Brown and Haben Girma. There are blog posts, manifestos, eulogies, and testimonies to Congress.

Taken together, this anthology gives a glimpse of the vast richness and complexity of the disabled experience, highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of this community. It invites readers to question their own assumptions and understandings. It celebrates and documents disability culture in the now. It looks to the future and past with hope and love.”

Meetings will take place via Zoom with session dates listed below. We look forward to sharing each other’s insight as we explore the text.

Check out the book via IUCAT

Reading assignments are as follows:

• Wed, Nov 6^th, Introduction to text, submitting media reading + how to get your copy!
• Wed, Nov 13^th, Intro and Section 1 “Being” (pp. xv-81)
• Wed, Nov 20^th, Section 2 “Becoming” (pp. 85-145)
• Wed, Nov 27^th , No session: Enjoy Thanksgiving!
• Wed, Dec 4^th, Section 3 “Doing” (pp. 149-226)
• Wed, Dec, 11^th,“Media”, Selected articles and other media
• Wed, Dec 18^th , Section 4 “Connecting” and ending discussion (pp. 227-275)

We hope you can join us. If you have any questions, or any ideas for books, articles, other media, or topics you’d like the group to discuss in the future, please let us know.

Join us on Zoom