JFActivist

Happy Hanukkah: A dreidel for the blind spins a new, year-round lesson

From the Houston Chronicle (12/3/09):

A dreidel for the blind spins a new, year-round lesson

By NICOLE NEROULIAS

LAKE OSWEGO, ORE. — For centuries of Hanukkah celebrations, the dreidel has served as both children's toy and religious symbol, marked with Hebrew letters that stand for “a great miracle happened there.”

Artist and Jewish scholar Marsha Plafkin Hurwitz's version of the four-sided top is more than child's play. It's also a conceptual sculpture, disability aid and sensitivity training tool.

She fashioned a metal dreidel featuring raised Braille bumps several years ago. First marketed as modern Judaica, “The Braidel (The Braille Dreidel)” joined the collections of the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Jewish Museum of London. Now it's finding fans among disability-rights advocates.

Hurwitz, a graduate of New York's Jewish Theological Seminary, is now spinning it off as a classroom game for all ages, with input from Portland State University's Project Braille program.

“It's taken on a life of its own,” Hurwitz said, leafing through a prototype of The Braidel Game manual at the kitchen table of her suburban home south of Portland, Ore. “This is something for Jews, Christians, Muslims, anyone who wants to engage how their tradition has treated disability.”

By making a tradition from the Jewish festival of lights accessible to the visually impaired, Hurwitz has set a much-needed example for the entire community, said Becca Hornstein, executive director of the Arizona-based Council for Jews With Special Needs...

>>> For the Full Article

Vote for Kevin Nolan, Purple Communication Trailblazer

Vote For Kevin Nolan as the Purple Communications Trailblazer of the Year
Vote at http://www.purple.us/Pages/dreambigger_tb_detail.php?id=6

About Kevin:

"Hell no! Civic duty is for all citizens, including people with disabilities!" So was Mr. Kevin Nolan's response to a court clerk who surreptitiously dismissed him from jury duty one day, citing his deafness as a reason to automatically excuse him from having to serve.

"I fought back, and demanded to know why I had been dismissed. The clerk went back through all of the various statutes and couldn't find a single one that referred to deafness as grounds for dismissal of this duty. So I ended up serving on a jury," said Nolan.

This unexpected stand ultimately lead to Nolan's role as the nation's first born-deaf person elected to public office. But, getting there proved to be an emotional obstacle course, with many people along the way offering reasons why he shouldn't run.

"I always told my students, 'Don't say you can't do it, and don't let your deafness stop you. Go for it and keep pursuing your dreams.'" Later, Nolan would find himself reflecting back on this advice, ultimately choosing to run and then win an election that took him to the front door of more than a thousand homes in Northampton, a town of 30,000 citizens.

Nolan served on the Northampton, MA city council for two years from 1986 through 1987.

>>> For More or To Vote

About the Competition:

From Purple Communications (6/3/09)

Purple™ Communications™ Launches "Dream Bigger" Initiative Celebrating the Stories, Culture, and Heritage of America's Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community

Initiative Highlights the Lives of Ten Deaf "Trailblazers" Who Have Advanced the Fields of Civil Rights, Language, Art, Medicine, Sports, and More

NOVATO, CA - June 3, 2009 - Purple Communications™, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPL), one of the nation's leading providers of text and video relay and on-site interpreting services, today announced 'Dream Bigger,' an initiative that highlights, acknowledges, and celebrates Deaf culture and achievement in America.  The Company will honor 10 trailblazers in the Deaf Community from across the country that have had tremendous impact in the areas of sports, civil rights, politics, business, language, community, medicine, art, and education.

The Dream Bigger campaign recognizes trailblazers in the Deaf Community and aims to celebrate the advances they have made.  Whether it has been the breaking down of barriers or establishing new status quos, these Trailblazers have improved the overall quality-of-life for all members of the Deaf Community.  The campaign will commence with an event on June 13 in Los Angeles, California.  Lauren Teruel Ridloff, educator and former Miss Deaf America, will emcee 10 events that will celebrate and honor each of Purple Communication's 2009 Trailblazers in their own communities.  Teruel Ridloff will also host the Dream Bigger Gala in Washington, D.C.

"Purple's own history has been one of realizing and exceeding dreams through its creation of cutting-edge technology services that make communication easier, enjoyable and more convenient for individuals in the Deaf Community," said Brandon Arthur, Vice President of Marketing Communications for Purple Communications. "The Dream Bigger program recognizes community visionaries who had the tenacity to fulfill personal dreams and lead the way for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people everywhere to pursue theirs.  Each of these leaders is a trailblazer in their own right and we're honored to serve as a conduit for their stories of perseverance and success."

Meet the Trailblazers

As part of their selection, each Trailblazer was awarded a $1,000 cash prize from Purple Communications to be a paid as a donation to a non-profit organization of their choice and in their name as a way of paving the road for the next generation of trailblazers in the Deaf Community.

Purple Communications will announce the 2009 Trailblazer of the Year who was voted for by the Deaf Community and who best represents the essence of the Dream Bigger initiative at the Dream Bigger Gala in October 2009 in Washington, D.C.  The recipient of the Trailblazer of the Year award will receive $10,000 to be donated in their name, to their non-profit organization of choice, as well as an all-expenses-paid vacation.

The Purple 2009 Trailblazers and Trailblazer of the Year nominees include:

• Howard A. Rosenblum, a Deaf civil rights attorney with Equip for Equality in Chicago, IL, strives for equal access for Deaf people and people with disabilities in everyday life, primarily in Illinois but also across the US. He founded the Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf, a non-profit that seeks to make the legal and judicial systems accessible to thousands of Deaf people across the Midwest.


• Dr. Carolyn Stern, a family physician and lecturer in Rochester, NY, has spent her life treating and educating deaf patients on health issues, training interpreters for interpreting in medical settings, educating other doctors, hospitals, and allied healthcare professionals on accessibility, and ensuring that national continuing medical education programs are accessible for deaf people.


• Tayler Mayer, a technology luminary and entrepreneur in Southern California, founded the seminal deaf blog/vlog aggregator DeafRead.com and the online video community DeafVIDEO.TV. Mayer has spent much of his professional career seeking new ways to apply technology to connect the deaf community online while achieving entrepreneurial success.


• Ashley Fiolek, a national champion motocross rider from St. Augustine, FL, is the only woman, and the only deaf person, ever to ride on a factory racing team. Seeking to be the fastest woman motocross rider in the world, Ashley is destroying stereotypes for the deaf community and women motocross riders everywhere she races.


• Jeremias Valencia, founder of the Deaf Sports Academy in Riverside, CA, and a former pro-basketball player, pushes players to 'never give up on their dreams.' Valencia's Deaf Sports Academy provides accessible coaching and encouragement ? opening the world of sports and competition ? to more than 20 teams of kids, from preschool through grade 8.


• Kevin Nolan, the nation's first born-Deaf person to be elected to public office, launched a political campaign near Boston, MA, that would unseat a seasoned political insider who had held the office for more than 20 years. Nolan's tenacity cleared the path to elected office for Deaf people everywhere.


• Dr. MJ Bienvenu, educator, activist, and ASL advocate from Washington, DC, has spent a lifetime seeking bilingual education for deaf students. A nationally recognized 'ASL advocate,' she's tirelessly pursued government-recognized legitimacy of ASL, while teaching students the language's beauty and its central role in Deaf Culture.


• Anita Buel, a community organizer from St. Paul, MN, survived a first, then a second bout with cancer, fighting along the way to make healthcare ? and cancer education ? more accessible to Deaf people. She co-founded 'Pink Deafies,' a support group focused on providing comfort, hope, and education to those faced with the disease.


• Ella Mae Lentz, an ASL poet, author, and advocate from Northern California, graduated from Gallaudet University and went on to co-author a best selling book and video on ASL, and video collections of original ASL poetry. She is one of the nation's leading advocates for the concept of Deafhood, prompting the Deaf community to look within itself and celebrate individual and collective Deafhood journeys.


• Tate Tullier, a leading deaf photographer from Baton Rouge, LA, founded a successful business fueled by a passion for beautiful photography. A Gallaudet University graduate, Tullier has worked in New York's hypercompetitive photography scene, and  travels the globe capturing subjects that reflect his deep desire to 'create art' in his own style.

To learn more about the Dream Bigger campaign, find out dates and locations for all events, view and read Trailblazer stories, and vote for the 2009 Trailblazer of the Year, visit www.purple.us/dreambigger. Also, be sure to follow the Dream Bigger campaign on Twitter - @idreambigger

Just In: AAPD Joins Facebook Causes

From the JFA Moderator:

AAPD recently joined Facebook Causes as a way to get the word out about the disability rights movement and to make it easier for YOU, our dedicated activists, to contribute your support.

Take Action TODAY: Join or Donate to AAPD's Cause on Facebook and share these links with your friends.

>>> To Join the Movement

>>> To Support our Work

One Week Left! "What Can You Do?"

From AAPD (7/7/09):

Enter to win the What Can YOU Do? Video Contest, sponsored by the Campaign for Disability Employment and Best Buy
The What Can YOU Do? Video Contest is an opportunity for young - and young-at-heart - filmmakers to promote positive change by illustrating that at work, it’s what people CAN do that matters.  The $1,500 gift card contest prize is sponsored by Best Buy, one of the nation's leading technology retailers, and an employer that includes and values all employees for their talents, ideas, and innovative approaches.  The video contest is sponsored by the Campaign for Disability Employment.  To learn more go to http://www.jan.wvu.edu/videocontest

Contest Deadline: July 15, 2009 !

 

White House Announces Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16, 2009

President Obama Announces New White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced the formation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport. 

This permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement and encourage increased youth participation in athletics.  The primary function of the Office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement through promotion of its fundamental principles at the federal level.  

President Obama said, “It is an important goal of my administration to give our nation’s children every possible tool they need to grow, learn and succeed in life.  A key part of this is increasing access to healthy, constructive activities like sports for our nation’s children.  Too many American kids – particularly those in urban areas – have no access to organized sporting activities. Sports are an important way to instill values, judgment and teamwork in our nation’s kids, and this new office reflects our commitment to giving all our children a chance to thrive.  As the International Olympic Committee moves forward with their selection process we hope that this new office can serve as a model for youth involvement worldwide.”

The White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport will:

Recommend federal policies and programs to the President to enhance opportunities and access for youth participation in sport, with particular focus on youth in urban areas

Foster and encourage youth sporting, educational and cultural events involving Olympic values-based programs and the participation of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians

The Office will also work in coordination with appropriate executive departments and agencies, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, to:

Engage in outreach to state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations and the private sector

Coordinate federal resources, and act as liaison to, any organizing committee for an Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted in the United States

And work closely with the United States Olympic Committee and national sport governing bodies to increase access and opportunities for youth to participate in sports.

AP Goes GIMP!

From the Associated Press (May 17, 2009):

Brandishing unique bodies, dance troupe triumphs
By HELEN O'NEILL

...All her life, Latsky has been drawn to different bodies and forms. She sees the way someone moves, the shape of their limbs, long before she notices their personality.

The Canadian-born Latsky, whose restless energy makes her seem younger than her 51 years, is best known as a choreographer and one-time principal dancer with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane company. Her skill and stage presence have won national acclaim. But until 2006, when she received an unusual commission to compose a piece for a young woman with no fingers and no lower legs, Latsky had never worked with disabled performers.

What began as a huge leap of faith gradually evolved into a performance, and a troupe.
And a name: "GIMP," Latsky says, "is about shattering perceptions, about provoking people to think, really think, about body image and beauty and disability and dance."

But GIMP has become far more. Over the past two years, it has evolved into a movement, a mission almost, a way of getting the world to look at itself a bit differently. And it has become the story of an unlikely cast of characters drawn together by the choreographer who became their leader almost by accident. Latsky's energy and enthusiasm are infectious. Her toughness is legendary. Dancers say no one pushes them harder, physically and emotionally, forcing them to mine something deep within themselves, to confront their most intimate vulnerabilities and channel them into dance...

>>> For the Full Article

Comment Below: I see this as a shining example of  Disability Power and Pride! Comment with more...

AAPD to Launch "The Ticket that Rocks!"

See a Show and Support our Community

AAPD will be launching an online auction "The Ticket that Rocks!" this Friday, May 8, 2009.

"The Ticket that Rocks!" online charitable auction gives theater connoisseurs and concert goers the opportunity to bid on tickets to their favorite shows while supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. The auction is slated to go live on May 8^th, 2009 via eBay.

Auction Items:

1. Elton John and Billy Joel both donated 1 pair of tickets each (Four Tickets) to their Face2Face US Tour 2009.
2. Coldplay donated a pair of tickets to their 2009 Washington DC Show on May 21st at the Nissan Pavilion.
3. Alan Jackson donated a pair of tickets to his 2009 Tour.
4. Two complimentary tickets to the Off-Broadway hit “STOMP” at the Orpheum Theatre-New York City
5. ABC donated two VIP tickets to the Emmy Award-winning talk show ‘The View’
6. MSG Entertainment donated two pair of tickets (4) to the 2009 production of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
7. Broadway Across America is donation two tickets to the Broadway tour Annie
8. Sugarland donated 2 tickets and meet and greet passes for the 5/22 show (Johnson City,TN).
9. NBC donated a pair of tickets to "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."
10. A pair of tickets to the Off-Broadway Production Our House.
11. Two pair of tickets (4 tickets) to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart-live in New York.
12. A pair of tickets to the Broadway musical THE WIZARD OF OZ.
13. A pair of tickets to the Off-Broadway musical: The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Westside Theatre in (Manhattan, NY)
14. ClearChannel’s Rock station DC 101 donated two tickets to the 30th Anniversary Chili Cook-Off! at the RFK Stadium.
15. A pair of tickets to the Off-Broadway theater A Nervous Smile, winner selects a date to attend the show at the Kirk Theatre (Manhattan, NY).
16. A pair of tickets to HBO TV series: Flight of the Conchords for Constitution Hall, in Washington, DC on April 13th
17. American Repertory Theater donated a pair of tickets to ANY show at theater.
18. Arena Stage donated a pair of tickets to LOOPED! at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre
19. 1st Mariner Arena donated two tickets to Larry the Cable Guy, May 22nd show.
20. A certificate for two tickets to the play of choice at A Contemporary Theatre (ACT)’s 2009 Season.

 

Web Links:

 

Ø  Direct link to Auction Web page: http://www.aapd.com/theareauction/  

Ø  Direct link to bid on items via eBay (May 8^th ): http://myworld.ebay.com/americanassociationofpeoplewithdisabilities/

Ø  Link to Auction Flyer:  http://www.aapd.com/TicketRocksflyer.pdf

Susan Boyle: Singing Sensation, Disability Pride

New at Penny for your thoughts (4/23/09):

The Triumph of Susan Boyle and Why So Many of Us Are Still Celebrating!
 

My introduction to Susan Boyle's angelic voice came, as it did for so many others, via a link to the YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY that arrived  inside an e-mail message on the Monday following her April 11 appearance on an "American Idol" kind of show that had run on British TV.  Although the e-mail was clearly "Off Topic" for the list-serv, not one person on the e-mail list complained!  And every single one of us has felt enriched by experiencing Susan Boyle's triumph at the Britain's Got Talent competition ever since!  Most of us, I'm sure, sent that link on to friends and family, which accounts for the more than 39 million hits at YouTube already, and saved the link in our "Favorites List for a future day when we know we'll need a spiritual lift!

Why the excitement?  Why has the middle-aged woman described by the person who sent me the link as "looking like Mrs. Doubtfire,"with the seemingly incongruously angelic voice touched so many people, and sparked dinner-table and water-cooler conversations all over the country and the world?  She truly does have a voice like an angel.  And "I Dream A Dream" from "Les Miserables," the song she chose to sing is beautiful, the kind of thing that tugs at the heartstrings of even the most cynical among us. But, that's not all.
 
I think it's because every single one of us who has ever had a moment of self doubt about the way we look, or sound, or come across, rejoices when we watch the video.  We feel as though we are rejoicing right along with Ms. Boil as we celebrate her courage and her talent, and her triumph; and any misgivings about her appearance, her life in a remote and unsophisticated village in Scotland, her mostly stay-at-home existence of giving care to another simply fall away because her talent erases them all!
 
When Susan Boyle shows up on stage, many of us, especially those of us who have coped with our own disabilities and dealt with the hurtful words and attitudes of unthinking classmates or malicious bullies, feel an instant empathy with her.  She is not beautiful.  Her answers to the questions the panel asks are neither sparkling nor sophisticated.  It's obvious to those of us who are way too attuned to being misjudged, prejudged, and expected to fail that what is about to happen will make us cringe.  We hold our collective breath and clench our fists in anxious anticipation of what we know is about to happen.  We are prepared to feel sorry for Ms. Boyle, and, in turn, to feel sorry for ourselves for all the times when someone made fun of us – for tripping, or saying the wrong thing, or getting a horrible grade, or missing the ball, or spilling ketchup on the front of our shirt, or embarrassing a mother or a father or a sibling or an instantly former best friend.  When Susan sings that gorgeous song and the audience bursts straight away into jubilant astonished applause, and the judges are nearly speechless with amazement, we are overcome with relief, and vindication, and jubilation, and feeling just as ecstatic as Susan, herself,  must have felt at that moment!
 
Susan's very public triumph seems almost like our own personal triumph, especially for those of us who have worried that our disabilities set us too far apart from what is normal, or that others would define us by our dis-abilities, instead of all the talents and abilities that are a truer definition of the women and men we actually are.  READ MORE HERE:  http://tinyurl.com/ceydlm 

Enjoy, and if you haven't visited the YouTube link, do take a minute and revel in the experience.
Penny

>>> For the Full Column

Added by Sarah Peterson, JFA Moderator:

Additionally, Ms. Boyle has publicly disclosed her own disability and stated, "I want to raise awareness - I want to turn my disability into ability."  From BBC NEWS.

>>>For more on Susan Boyle's disability

Comment Below: How has this remarkable woman's experience has inspired you?

Indianapolis 2009 Most Disability-Friendly City

For Immediate Release

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY ANNOUNCES INDIANAPOLIS, IN AS 2009 WINNER FOR DISABILITY–FRIENDLY CITY

Mayor to accept  $25,000 Accessible America Award on behalf of Indianapolis

 

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2009—Indianapolis, Indiana has been chosen as the winner in the eighth annual Accessible America Competition, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) announced today. The city is being heralded as a national model for its focus on disability issues and successful design of programs, services and facilities that are accessible for citizens and visitors who have disabilities. The 2009 Accessible America Competition, administered by NOD, was sponsored by a generous grant from AARP.

 

Other 2009 contest finalists were: Alexandria, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; Louisville, Kentucky; New Haven, Connecticut; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Surprise, Arizona.

 

Governor Tom Ridge, Chairman of the National Organization on Disability, and former Secretary of Homeland Security noted, "Communities that compete for the Accessible America Award demonstrate that people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to solving today’s challenges.  The City of Indianapolis exemplifies a successful model of enriched civic life through the full participation of all citizens, including those with disabilities."

 

Carol Glazer, NOD President remarked, “The National Organization on Disability is dedicated to recognizing best practices through which communities offer people with disabilities major footholds to an independent lifestyle, such as education and employment.  We commend Indianapolis as a city that has worked hard to achieve a vision where opportunities are available to people of all abilities.”

 

Previous Accessible America first-place winners include: Berkeley, CA; Cambridge, MA; Houston, TX; Irvine, CA; Pasadena, CA; Phoenix, AZ; and Venice, FL.

 

The panel of nationally recognized disability advocates and experts who served as Accessible America Competition judges chose the winner based on comprehensive accessibility and opportunity for people with disabilities. Accessible America applicants demonstrate an exceptional commitment to offering their citizens with disabilities full and equal opportunities to participate in the life of their community, including access to jobs, education, voting, transportation, housing, emergency preparedness planning, and services. The Accessible America Competition promotes nationwide replication of these best practices.

 

For more information about the Accessible America Competition, contact the National Organization on Disability at 202/293-5960.

 

The National Organization on Disability, founded in 1982, promotes the full and equal participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. For more information about NOD’s programs, visit www.nod.org.

American Airlines and AAPD To Honor Positive Portrayals of Disability

 

FOR RELEASE: Thursday, March 26, 2009

 

 

American Airlines AND AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

TEAm Up TO HONOR BEST TV COMMERCIAL

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines is partnering with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to create an award honoring the best U.S television commercials featuring positive portrayals of people with disabilities. Together, the two organizations will support and recognize the efforts put forth by companies that feature disabled people in their television advertising in creative and compelling ways.

“American Airlines has a long history of diversity and inclusion and is proud to partner with the AAPD to establish this award in honor of all of our employees, customers and partners with disabilities,” said Will Ris, American’s Senior Vice President - Government Affairs and member of the AAPD’s Board of Directors. “We want to acknowledge creative companies who are supporting people with disabilities and understand the business value of inclusive advertising.”

The contest, set to begin in July, is scheduled to run for several weeks. Companies and agencies will be able to submit their commercials, which will be judged by a panel of experts to determine the best of the group. The final winner will receive a highly-coveted month of free advertising airtime on the American Airlines inflight entertainment system, making the winning commercial visible to the tens of thousands of travelers the airline serves each day.

“With more than 56 million people with disabilities in the U.S. alone, it is surprising that companies don’t market more aggressively to disabled people and our families,” said Andrew Imparato , President and CEO of AAPD.  “We are delighted to partner with American Airlines to leverage the power of television advertising to help raise the visibility of our community as a powerful consumer force and as valued members of society.”

            The American Association of People with Disabilities is the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization with more than 100,000 members throughout the United States.  American Airlines Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey announced this competition at AAPD’s Annual Leadership Gala in Washington, D.C., on March 4.

 

About The American Association of People with Disabilities

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially.  AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more, visit the AAPD website:  www.aapd.com.

 

 

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection^® airlines serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com^®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld^® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)