Idyllwild Arts Foundation’s Post

I do not like how we do this weird thing where disabled people are used as examples of “iNsPiRaTiOn.” Usually while we still get paid less, are admitted to college at lower rates, are hired less, die younger, experience more homelessness, etc. What part of all that is supposed to be inspiring? No. That’s called murder. Extremely slow murder. Our slow murders shouldnt be inspiring to anyone. It reminds me of how emperors would watch gladiators fight each other to the death in a pit. That’s me. Maximus Decimus Meridius. I’m the gladiator. My struggle is your entertainment. Fighting each other for more scraps instead of giving Emperor Commodus what he deserves. Are you not entertained? The way disabled people are treated right now would be criminal in a polite and civilized society. But that’s not the society disabled people get to live in. We don’t live in civilized and polite society. We live some other f******* place. Not there. That’s what life is like for most disabled people living in “the greatest country on earth.” What the hell is wrong with people? We don’t exist to inspire you. Stop getting inspired by us. Start getting serious about what you’re going to do differently going forward.

I saw the headline and my mind immediately thought, "yet another piece of 'inspiration p0rn". If you don't know the phrase, you know the overused format. Something along the lines of, "Though she no longer had her stately figure and graceful movements, with the aid of a cane, Christina Applegate slowly shuffled her way to the microphone while everyone in the theater applauded her return to the public eye. Taking a deep breath, she bravely presented the award as tears shown in the eyes of audience members, impressed by her courage." I honestly haven't read any of the coverage of the Emmy Awards (nor did I watch the show), but I'd venture a guess that this type of story exists on some media site or social media platform. "Inspiration p0rn" refers to one of the cliches often used where a disabled person is described as inspirational simply for living their life in the way the need to. I've put a link to Stella Young's powerful TEDx Talk, "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much" which I highly recommend if you want to learn more. Back to this particular article (link in the comments), I was thankful my assumption was incorrect and the article was nuanced and thoughtful. I'd love to hear the perspective from the accessibility experts seeing this post on their thoughts about it. The Emmy's, and other awards shows, have a long way to go to be truly inclusive. ▪️Where are the ramps up to the stage that could not only help someone someone with a physically disability but could also help the winners who are temporarily disabled by the bottom of their dress? #CurbCutEffect anyone? ▪️Why aren't there more disabled actors being cast in the roles of characters with disabilities? ▪️Where is the high quality close captioning, not "auto craptions" as Meryl Evans, CPACC (deaf) says? And yet, we need to recognize another of Meryl’s mantras, Progress over Perfect. There is value in seeing a person with a visible disability on this stage. #Representation matters too. #Accessibility #A11y #Disability ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi! I'm Sara Kobilka, Renaissance Woman! 👉 Follow #CrossPollinating to find my posts bringing ideas across industries

Poll Time! Please comment below, yes or no, and share your experience. #DanceForAllAbilities #RepresentationMatters #DisabilityJustice #BlackDisability #DisabilityCommunity #DisabilityInclusion #BlackAndDisabled #DisabilityPride #Ableism #Accessibility . . . [Image Description: At the top in white is the "Embraced Body" logo in a circle, a heart attached to a curvy rope. Below white text reads "Have you encountered barriers or challenges in accessing dance spaces due to your identity or ability?" Below on the left reads "YES" in black text and on the right is "NO" in red text. Below in smaller white text reads "@embracedbody1." Image is on a purple background.]

"The power of puppetry: Life, breath, and everything in between" In a world overshadowed by global crises, war, and environmental challenges, we explore the transformative role of puppetry as an instrument of empathy and hope. Dive into the wisdom shared by Handspring Puppet Company Company founders, Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones, during an enlightening panel discussion hosted at our London office. Recently honoured with Honorary Doctorates by the University of Toronto, Kohler and Jones revealed the artistry behind puppetry, emphasising the ground-breaking concept of giving puppets the ability to breathe. As Jones eloquently states, "Breath is a universal language, an expression of our thoughts and emotions." Puppetry, explained by Cariad Astles, takes centre stage as a magical medium that keeps audiences on the edge, creating an immersive experience where the puppet's breath becomes a vessel for emotions. Mervyn Millar delves into the neuroscience, unravelling the profound impact of puppetry on audience engagement. From a narrative perspective, puppetry becomes a powerful means of speaking the unspoken. Kohler shared how Handspring elevated puppetry from children's entertainment to a platform addressing crucial social and political themes, notably LGBTQ+ and political issues. Puppetry, a communal act, provides authentic experiences and fosters genuine connections. Millar underscores the significance of this art form in a world hungry for sincerity and extraordinary encounters. Join us on this thought-provoking journey as we explore how puppetry becomes a unique platform nfor conveying complex ideas, giving voice to the unspoken, and offering authentic, transformative experiences. Read our latest piece here: https://lnkd.in/eYfGv_ND #ThoughtLeadership #PuppetryPower #InnovationInArt #EmpathyInAction Mervyn Millar

Today for the World Down Syndrome Day, we have a chance to spread awareness and inclusivity in the most empowering way possible. As Chris Burke stated so perfectly: "It's not about celebrating disabilities, it's about celebrating abilities." Too long, we've focused on limits, not potential. Discussing diagnosis, stats, "overcoming." That view misses the point. Boxes people in narrow narratives about what "holds them back." Every human has unique talents to offer society. Those abilities deserve to be celebrated. Not diminished. Let's shift the mindset. Stop talking about disabilities. Start talking about remarkable capabilities we're missing. The art. The activism. The entrepreneurship. The performances. The innovations. When we see abilities in all, we expand possibilities for humanity. This Down Syndrome Day, let's celebrate the dancers, artists, athletes, speakers, musicians uplifting the world. Because focusing on human potential is what creates inclusivity - for the benefit of us all.

The lesser your look, the more you see here; In a world filled with visual stimuli, it's easy to forget the profound wisdom encapsulated in the words of Helen Keller. She once remarked, "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." 👁️🗨️ These words echo through time, reminding us that true understanding goes beyond what meets the eye. 👁 Gaining Vision Beyond Sight: AND Listening Beyond Hearing 👂 🦉 Helen Keller's life serves as a testament to the power of vision beyond physical sight. Despite being deaf and blind from a young age, she became an iconic figure in history—a writer, activist, and advocate for disability rights. 👓 Her journey teaches us that limitations are often perceptions we impose on ourselves, and true vision stems from the depths of our understanding. 👀 Today, as we navigate a world filled with distractions and superficial engagements, it's crucial to pause and reflect on the essence of Keller's message. 🎎 Having physical sight alone is not enough; we must nurture a vision to see beyond the surface, to grasp the nuances and complexities that shape our reality. 🎐 Expanding on Keller's wisdom, I extend her quote by saying, "The only thing worse than being deaf is having hearing but no active listening." 🎗 Active listening goes hand in hand with true vision—it's about being fully present, absorbing not just the words but the emotions, intentions, and meanings behind them. 🎏 As we honor Helen Keller on her upcoming birth anniversary next month, let's carry forward her legacy by embracing the dual importance of vision and active listening. Together, they pave the way for deeper understanding, empathy, and meaningful connections in our personal and professional lives. Video source: https://lnkd.in/dh6GurMk #HelenKeller #VisionBeyondSight #ActiveListening #Inspiration #Legacy

Happy #DisabiityPrideMonth - Last weekend, these two dancers from my dance company Infinite Flow Dance reminded me of the magic that happens when you cultivate a culture of belonging.  In this video Lionel Taplin (Black straight Autistic male dancer) and Ryann Mason (White queer female wheelchair dancer) are completely improvising… How did they do? I’ve lived in a painful duality where I know deep down that dance is a universal language that belongs to everyone.   Yet the dance industry made it seem like dance was only available to a select few with a certain body, skin tone, and physical capacity.  I never seemed to have fit the box as a dancer.  This made it seem like I was never enough.   But as time went on, I came to realize that there was nothing wrong with my body, my ethnicity, or neurodiversity.  The problem lied in the stigmas, biases, and discrimination that exist in our society and systems.  And I wasn’t alone not fitting the box.  So, I asked myself, what if I created a dance company that valued diversity, authenticity, and human connection? A space where every dancer, regardless of their identity or ability, could move and express freely and find connection with each other.  200 performances, 100 million video views, and 10,000 youth impacted… This is still the beginning, but we know that we’ve started something magical much needed in the world. What are the secret ingredients to cultivating belonging?  I say Curiosity and Heart.  What do you think? – ** I choreograph a culture of infinite inclusion at corporations, colleges, conferences, and beyond. Check out my Speaker & Performer Reel: https://lnkd.in/gVZvzAY Contact: Marisa@MarisaHamamoto.com Sign up for my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gQqCuhxH  – Video Description: Dancers Ryann Mason, White female wheelchair dancer and Lionel Taplin, Black Autistic male dance together in joy inside a dance studio.  #DisabilityPride #Disability #DisabilityInclusion #Allyship #A11y #LinkedInTopVoices #LinkedInTopVoice

It is gala season again! Our local dance school (Adage - Studio 37 in Riedisheim) just organized the yearly show which was a lived example of inclusion. What can we learn from this for our workplace? Situation: A child with autism would like to participate in a dance gala with complicated movements and quick transitions (and a lot of noise and lights and stress etc). Behaviour: Give them a role which is suited and where they are valued (see photo). My daughter followed initially the other children of her group which are several years younger than she is. After a while she stood still in the middle of the other girls who formed a perfect flower around her. One of the girls told her mother: "It is so cool that she is taller than the rest of the group, so she can stand in the middle and everyone in the room can see our amazing flower". (It is all about communication!) Impact: This was such a touching and breath taking moment. She came back to me after the gala, shining with pride that she made it. Situations like this give so much self confidence and joy. What can we learn from this for our workplace? We have many similar situations every day - just that people are not as open about their feelings anymore. By putting abilities first, we can spark joy and energy! It is just a matter of finding the right position. #autism #inclusion #diversity

This month we are celebrating the LGBTQI+ community. Our friend Gabi Herrett from Canvas Play Therapy has written these words for us... As it is LGBTQI+ History month, I sit amongst my toolkit, and look around. I see the books which show girls in suits, not just dresses. I see the mini-figures which represent those in all shapes and sizes. I know that in my playroom, and all others, our clients are free to be themselves- whoever that may be, without assumption, judgment, bias or fear. Within the confines of the playroom, it is the client’s space, where confidentially is key. Much like play therapy, the timeline is on their terms, and cannot be rushed or decided by anyone but them. They may change their mind about their own thoughts about feelings, and it is their identity to share or not- as the therapist it will never be our job to divulge this. Everyone has a right to be themselves. We do not discriminate but accept the person in front of us for who they are and provide them with what they need. This unfortunately is not always the case as an LGBTQI+ person living in the world. Many people fear the new, and what they do not understand, and that is having a direct effect on the children around us. It can be a very scary time, going against what surrounds you as ‘normal’, leading what feels like a double life to try and prove that you fit in. Though joy of our clients is the incredible uniqueness that shines through. Play therapy offers our clients a trusting bond with the therapist, which gives the security of knowing they can try out new roles, experiences and feelings in a safe environment without the fear of being judged. In the playroom, clients can see themselves in a new way, working through and their deepest thoughts to work through unravelling their own stories in a way even they themselves could never have written. Eventually, they can see a light. A beautiful, rainbow coloured light which is bright and full of joy, where they can be who their full selves, without compromise. Thankyou so much Gabi! #LGBTHistoryMonth

Neal Carter will be a speaker at upcoming event: Charting the Way Forward on February 24, 2024, link to more information about event: http://bit.ly/49R4bGx Quote from Neal: "You want to create space so there are several disabled people in elected office at the federal level, state level and local level. You want to create space so there are several neurodivergent folks at all levels of government. You want to create space so there are multiple blind or low vision, multiple deaf or hard of hearing folks. You want to create all of these spaces, so it’s not just one and it’s many." [Image Description: Top Left: QR code with text beside it saying "Scan QR Code to left for Event Details." Top right: Charting the Way Forward Logo has white background: Top line King's Dream in blue text. Underneath is a bright orange outline surrounding two lines of black text. Topline word Disability Bottom line JUSTICE (ALL CAPS) Center: Quote: "You want to create space so there are several disabled people in elected office at the federal level, state level and local level. You want to create space so there are several neurodivergent folks at all levels of government. You want to create space so there are multiple blind or low vision, multiple deaf or hard of hearing folks. You want to create all of these spaces, so it’s not just one and it’s many." Below the quote: Circular photo of Neal, a Black man wearing a suit jacket with a collar shirt and tie seated with an American flag in the background. To the Right of Neal’s photo: Text "Speaker., Neal Carter, Principal of Nu View Consulting."] #Representation #AfricanAmerican #Disability #Disabilities #Intersectionality #Diversity #Equity #DEI #Accessibility #NYCEvents #DCEvents #VirtualEvents #OnlineEvents #Inclusion #BlackDisability #InclusiveImpactBranding #TheResourceKey #SafmanConsulting #BillionStrong #Community #ChartingTheWayForward #DisabilityPride #InclusionMatters #DiversityandInclusion #AccessibilityForAll #EmpowerCommunities #DisabilityRights #InclusiveFuture