Category Archives: External News

Article: “Making Music Visible: Singing in Sign”

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A new project is producing sign language covers of 10 seminal musical works recorded by Black female artists.

On a recent afternoon in a brightly lit studio in Brooklyn, Mervin Primeaux-O’Bryant and Brandon Kazen-Maddox were filming a music video. They were recording a cover version of “Midnight Train to Georgia,” but the voices that filled the room were those of Gladys Knight and the Pips, who made the song a hit in the 1970s. And yet the two men in the studio were also singing — with their hands. Continue reading this article at The New York Times.

Article: “In Their Own Words: How The Americans With Disabilities Act Changed People’s Lives”

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“On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act banned discrimination based on disability in all parts of public life. People with disabilities could no longer be denied access to jobs, schools and transportation. The law also included private places that are generally open to the public, such as restaurants and movie theaters.

The law had a huge impact on the lives of millions of Americans. Five of them shared their stories with NPR.” Continue reading this article at NPR.com. This article also contains an audio recording of the article which can be found by following the above link.

Article: “ADA 30 in Color’ panel discusses lived perspectives of disabled BIPOC on 30th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act”

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“To mark the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the #ADA30InColor online event was held July 26 to discuss a compilation of essays that reflect on the past, present and future of disabled people who are Black, Indigenous or people of color. The panel discussion included several authors who had contributed their essays and was moderated by communications and inclusion specialist Andraéa LaVant.

LeVant started off the discussion by asking Alice Wong why she created this series. Wong, the founder of the Disability Visibility Project and editor of the “ADA 30 in Color” series, said she had wanted to “recenter the work and the wisdom” of the disabled BIPOC community.” Continue reading at The Daily Californian.

Article: “The ADA is turning 30. It’s time that it included digital accessibility”

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“The 30th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act marks a significant point in American history. Since the passage of this civil rights law in 1990, it has undoubtedly increased access and opportunity for the 61 million people with some form of disability across America.

But this cannot simply serve as a milestone where we rest on the laurels of this progress. We must also look ahead to the future. In the last three decades, technology has undergone unparalleled growth. While the ADA regulates the physical world fairly well, its age means it lags eons behind when it comes to ensuring digital accessibility.” Continue reading the article, which includes a 3 minute artist video, at NBC News.

Article: “3 Models Underlying Assumptions About Disability”

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“Backlash from disabled people about “The Witches” reveals harmful stereotypes.”

Kathleen Bogart

“Think about your underlying assumptions about disability. What causes disability? What are the sources of and solutions to disability-related challenges? Experts categorize ways of thinking about disability into three general models: moral, medical, or social (Olkin & Pledger, 2003). Our beliefs about disability are reflected in and perpetuated by media depictions.” Continue reading this article, authored by Kathleen Bogart Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Psychology at Oregon State University, at Psychology Today.

Article: “Before the ADA, there was Section 504”

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“When the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed to prohibit employment discrimination based on disability, it was supposed to protect disabled people and ensure their rights in the United States.

Libraries, schools, courtrooms, subsidized transportation and countless other resources were “available” to the public — but still not accessible to the millions of disabled people who lived in the United States. Richard Scotch, a professor of sociology, public policy and political economy at the University of Texas at Dallas, said that when Section 504 was drafted, it was a beacon of hope.” Continue reading or listening to this article at The New York Times.

Article: “Sanctuary Temples in Ancient Greece Had Accessibility Ramps, New Research Suggests”

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“Ramps at ancient Greek healing temples provided access for people with disabilities, according to new research. If confirmed, this would be the earliest evidence of a society making architectural adjustments to support accessibility.” Continue reading at Gizmodo.

“Diversity in academia is important because we need people who—by virtue of the fact that they have different lives—will ask new and different questions of the material of the past and, indeed, it is our responsibility to recruit and invest in people who will do just that.”

Debbie sneed, archaeology professor at california state university