Call for Stories: ADA Generation Putting Together A Book - Add your story

From Voices of the ADA Generation (8.6.10):

Call for Proposals: Disability in America: Voices of a New Generation

by Ari Ne’eman and Stacey Milbern, Co-Editors

*** Deadline: January 15, 2011  ***

This year, the disability community is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), civil rights law that protects the rights of disabled people. Growing up in a post-ADA America has meant that many of us have had access to more opportunities than previous generations. We know if we had been born in 1967 instead of 1987 our lives would look completely different. We know the history of our people is tainted by eugenics, ableism, lack of access and the sting of low expectations. We recognize the work that has been done by disability movements over the last century to make the current lives we live possible. We are proud to be members of this vibrant, breathing, community.

Although the struggle continues, we recognize that the realities of disabled people look vastly different in many ways. With this in mind, we are requesting proposals for chapters in a book-length anthology to document this legacy and record the stories of disabled young people talking about what it is to grow up with a disability in this day and age.

Part One of our anthology will attempt to explore how a new generation experiences these age old challenges, affording a chance to assess how far we have really come. Part Two of our anthology asks disabled young people to identify what our struggle looks like now.

We’re seeking a diversity of perspectives and topics. A few questions we pose as food for thought:

• What does it look like to navigate the medical system?

• What is it like trying to find and keep a job as a young person with a disability today?

• How are mental health challenges and psychiatric impairments approached by family members?

• Do students still have to choose between support and inclusion?

• What is the impact of pity and charity?

• How do we survive the traumas we experience by people who say they are helping us, whether this is in schools, in doctor’s offices, our places of worship, or within our support systems?

• How do people with less visible disabilities choose whether or not to disclose?

• How has the nature of “passing” changed or not changed?

• How do we fight eugenics, with its many faces?

• How do we work with personal assistant services and our support systems?

• How is disability portrayed differently in American society?

• How are media, and pop culture representations of disability viewed by the new generation of young people with disabilities?

• What do our relationships and sex lives look like?

• How do we find community?

We are seeking creative non-fiction essays from young people with disabilities ages 13-30 (some flexibility will be available for compelling submissions from individuals slightly outside our preferred age range). People with all types of disabilities are welcome to submit. Speaking from personal experience is strongly encouraged. The intent of this project is to use personal voices to capture the experience of the new generation of young people with disabilities.

Submissions should range from 2,000 to 5,000 words. Please include your address, phone number, e-mail address and a short bio on the  manuscript.

Proposals are due by e-mail to voicesoftheadageneration@gmail.com to January 15, 2011 but we encourage and will consider for approval early submissions. Please e-mail co-editors Stacey Milbern and Ari Ne’eman at voicesoftheadageneration@gmail.com with questions.

Comments

[Denny Neff]

I applaud your idea for this book. I just wonder how much would be detracted from it by including a couple of stories by those who were around prior to ADA and can share how different life is today from what it was.

[Jenifer Simpson]

I think this ADA Generation book is a fantastic idea and hat's off to you guys for dreaming it up and pulling it together and asking really good questions. In regard to what Denny Neff says above, i agree, but how about a book on that! "Before & After the ADA" .... there's sure to be hundreds of people who could contribute!
I'm also thinking of doing something else from the "mum of disabled young person" perspective since I've experienced Before and After as well alongside my son. Please contact me at jsimpson@aapd.com if you think we can get something like that going.

[Voice Broadcasting]

Cool, I have a friend, I will her about it.. She likes to participate a creative writings like this.

[Voice Broadcasting Service]

I admire this book,it's very inspiring to read and I think this would be a big help for those people who lose hope.

[Sand Separator]

When and how will this book be available? It sounds very inspiring to read, because when all is said and done, even with the ADA, life with disabilities is challenging, and people who rise to the challenge can teach important lessons about dealing with life challenges in general.

[kratom powder]

I massive challenge for officials.

[call rates]

So much more to say! I'm pretty much excited on this book too. Since then, I was fun of reading books than watching TV. It is more exciting for me to imagine the scenes on the books than watching it. Cheers!