Programming for the University’s first Disability Awareness Month will include 12 activities designed to recognize social and cultural contributions made by people with disabilities, and to increase campus awareness of the changes still needed to create equal opportunities and an inclusive environment.
| All events & exhibits are free and there will be refreshments served at non-library events. All presentations will have sign language interpretation and are wheel chair accessible. Please see www.cvs.umd.edu/visit/parking.html for detailed parking information. |
Flat Feet and Draft Dodging: The Making of a Disability in World War I
Beth Linker, Professor, History of Sociology & Science, University of Pennsylvania
Prof. Linker describes how flat feet managed to become a well-recognized medical diagnosis and a disability that was used to reject men from the U.S. Army. Although the practice of rejecting flat-footed draftees from service would persist up until the Vietnam War, the First World War had a unique system of "Flat Foot Camps," whereby orthopedic surgeons trained the "unfit" to maintain high arches, making them into combat soldiers.
OCTOBER 2 - THURSDAY
4:00-6:00 P.M.
Talliaferro Hall – Rm. 2110
Limb Lab: Technological Experimentation in Prosthetic Design for World War I Amputee Soldiers
Beth Linker, Professor, History of Sociology & Science, University of Pennsylvania
On the brink of America’s involvement in World War I, the U.S. Surgeon General's Office instituted a "Limb Laboratory" and ordered orthopedic surgeons to standardize and construct affordable prosthetic arms and legs for returning disabled veterans. Prof. Linker explores how the social and political concerns of the early twentieth century affected the construction of replacement limbs more than principles of medicine and engineering. Contact: David Sicilia to obtain pre-circulated paper dsicilia@umd.edu
OCTOBER 6 – MONDAY
12:00–1:30 P.M.
Adele H. Stamp Union (Charles Carroll Room)
Provost’s Conversations on Diversity, Democracy and Higher Education
Re-presenting Disability: Million Dollar Baby, Tropic Thunder, and Anti-National Sexual Positions
Robert McRuer, Professor, English, George Washington University
This paper examines a few of the films, including Million Dollar Baby and Tropic Thunder, that have sustained intense criticism from disability activists and theorists over the past few years. Reading these films within a queer theoretical perspective and through the cultural logic of neoliberalism, this paper affirms and extends the immeasurable value of an increasingly-global—and at times daringly anti-national—disability movement.
OCTOBER 6 – MONDAY
4:00-6:00 P.M.
Francis Scott Key Hall – Rm. 2120 (Merrill Room)
Disability Studies and Queer Studies: The Intersection
Robert McRuer, Professor, English, George Washington University
Contact: Courtney Lanier clanier@umd.edu to obtain pre-circulated chapters from McRuer’s book Crip Theory, Cultural Signs of Queerness and Disability
OCTOBER 13 - MONDAY
4:30–5:30 P.M.
School of Public Health, Rm. 0308
ADA: Healthy Public Policy or Ethical Dilemma?
Mary Kivlighan, Assistant Dean, School of Public Health
A discussion examining the tensions between the constitutional rights of individuals and organizational cultures and norms, especially in higher education.
OCTOBER 14 - TUESDAY
4:00–5:30 P.M.
School of Public Health, Rm. 0308
X-Ray Vision: Creating an Inspiring Workplace for Library Staff with hidden Disabilities
The academic library worker is one segment of the workforce that may be dealing with the stresses of hidden disabilities and will need access to in-house disability services. These facts create an imperative for us to address the issue of hidden disabilities for our profession and to break down the myths and stereotypes about disabilities. We must answer a few questions surrounding this social diversity. Are we prepared to face the truth about visible and hidden disabilities? Is there a comfort level for those with disabilities that promote a positive job performance? Why should we commit to establish a work environment where every library staff can develop their professional potential without fear? These questions will be answered as we explore the issue in the Diversity Brown Bag.
Contacts: Johnnie Love at x5-9048 or jlove1@umd.edu, Nedelina Tchangalova at nedelina@umd.edu
OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY
2:30–4:30 P.M.
McKeldin Library, Rm. 6137 (Special Events Room)
Accessing Knowledge: A Student Panel Discussion on Disability and Diversity at UM
Students with disabilities talk about their experiences at Maryland.
OCTOBER 23 - THURSDAY
4:00–6:00 P.M.
Hornbake Library, Room H.
Cinema and Disability
Saverio Giovacchini, Professor, Department of History, UMCP
OCTOBER 30 - THURSDAY
4:30–5:30 P.M.
McKeldin Library, Rm. 6137 (Special Events Room)
2008 PCDI Annual Awards Ceremony
Annual Awards to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to improve the campus experience of people with disabilities.
OCTOBER 1 – 31
Disability Awareness at the University of Maryland Libraries
Disabilities and War
Art Library – In conjunction with a display from the Art Library's collections relating to the "Semester on War and the Representation of War" on view for the fall semester, the Art Library will also have on exhibit "War, Disability, and Art." This exhibit will include images of and by soldiers and civilians disabled emotionally and/or physically by war. It will be located in the Art Library, Art-Sociology Building, 2nd Floor Atrium from October 1-October 31. Contact: Louise Greene at x5-9064 or lwg@umd.edu
McKeldin Library– As part of the President’s Commission on Disability Issues awareness month and the campus “Semester on War and Representation of War” the McKeldin Library exhibit will feature items from the University Libraries’ collections that focus on veterans with disabilities. It will be located in the McKeldin Library front lobby from October 1-October 31. Contact: Johnnie Love at x5-9048 or jlove1@umd.edu
Nonprint Media Services Library– In observation of Disability Awareness Month the Nonprint Media Services Library will feature programming from its media collections that highlight disabilities, including those caused by the external forces of war and man’s inhumanity to man. Both feature films and documentaries will be offered for reflection. Individual viewing for the University Community is always available and there will be Dial Access programs weekly during October as well. The special programming will be featured from October 1-October 31 in the Nonprint Media Services Library, Hornbake Library, Ground Floor. Contact: Linda Sarigol at x5-9236 or sarigol@umd.edu
Disability Awareness Month Events are co-sponsored by the President’s Commission on Disability Issues, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, College Park Scholars STS Program, Department of History, The Maryland Colloquium in the History of Technology, Science and Environment, The Nathan and Jeannette Miller Center for Historical Studies, Office of Multi Ethnic Student Education, the School of Public Health, The Semester on War, and the University of Maryland Libraries.
October 15 - WEDNESDAY
8PM - 9:15 October 16 - Thursday
8PM - 9:15 October 17 - Friday
8PM - 9:15
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center - Kogod Theatre
LOW: Part I of the Meditations Trilogy
RHA GODDESS
Artist, writer, poet and social activist, Rha Goddess portrays Lowquesha, a young woman whose mental disorders trap her in a downward spiral through the mental health system. This 75-minute, solo theater piece explores the mythology, stigma, fear and confusion surrounding a vibrant young woman who takes the all-too-common journey through the mental health system. She endures a harsh life experienced too often by mentally ill adults, a life whose trials include a break with her family, an unforgiving life on the streets and an overpowering fear of hospitalization. The show poses the question, “What is insanity?” “LOW” is a riveting portrayal that is furious, funny, dark and hopeful. Brilliantly staged and directed by Chay Yew, the program challenges audience to smash through the barriers of fear and confusion that surround mental illness offering up an equal dose of laughter, outrage and compassion.
$35 / $7 STUDENT
Contains adult themes and language.
• There will be an interactive community dialogue with the artist following each performance.
Note: Thursday night's performance will be a part of the Hip Hop Mental Health Project, which includes a community dialogue, and a pre- and post-show questionnaire that asks about experiences with and attitudes about mental health and mental illness. Friday night will include a post-show questionnaire and community dialogue.
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.