Considering Disability as Culture: Virtual Town Hall

Considering Disability as Culture: Virtual Town Hall

As part of our 2023 series of Commitment to Equity Virtual Town Halls, the final session on December 4, 2023 is a presentation and discussion focused on disability justice to mark the International Day of Disabilities (Dec. 3, 2023).

Considering Disability as Culture
led by JD Derbyshire

Join this shared learning with Disability Justice activist and artist JD Derbyshire, including community responses from three artists working in disability arts, followed by discussion groups for all those interested in grappling with ideas of inclusion and accessibility and disability justice.

What is the potential and promise of defining persons with disabilities as a cultural group? Come learn and grapple with the idea that persons with disabilities have forged a group identity. In this sociopolitical model of disability, you’ll come to understand that persons with disabilities share a common history of oppression and a common bond of resilience. We generate art, music, literature, performance, film and other expressions of our lives, culturally infused from our experiences of disability. We claim our disability with pride as part of our identities. We work together, recognizing the need to be seen as a cultural group as a way to educate others and to eliminate ableism and saneism for all.

Monday, December 4, 2023
12 – 2 pm
Register here

These virtual town halls take place through Zoom and will be interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) with captioning available.

Registering for these town halls confirms that you have read and agree to our group agreements. If you have questions, please send them to edia@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

What is this moment asking of us?

To support and nurture diverse art and artist-led city building to foster not only a resilient and sustainable arts ecosystem, but also to achieve a truly equitable, inclusive and accessible city where everyone belongs.

Calgary Arts Development is committed to bettering our systems regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA). As a public agency stewarding public dollars for the benefit of all Calgarians, we aspire to foster a resilient and sustainable arts sector that is safe and welcoming for all, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, language, citizenship, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical or mental abilities.

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