Join Me 17-20 April 2021 at the Society for Disability Studies online

[jesse_the_k]

The Society for Disability Studies (SDS) is a non-profit organization that promotes the study of disability in social, cultural, and political contexts. SDS con happens in concert with Multiple Perspectives, a disability-themed con sponsored by Ohio State University. You have to register for both conferences.. SDS subsidizes free reg for folks who need it. I’m happy to subsidize membership in the org, which includes access to the SDS Listserv, a very useful resource for researching disability.

The theme this year is

DEEP SIGH: (Re)Centering Activism, Healing, Radical Love, Emotional Connection and Breathing Spaces in Intersectional Communities

During these turbulent times of racial injustice and disappointing leadership(s), amplified by the current pandemic and climate crisis, the world is (has been, and continues to be) hurting, while some have been thriving at the expense of ‘others’. Right now, we need to take a step back and listen and learn from those who are members of some of the most vulnerable communities, in particular historically multiply marginalized communities. Pain, trauma, and vulnerability manifest in a myriad of ways. Rather than sweeping these issues under the rug, we want to invite folks to breathe for a moment and take space/time to (re)connect with their surroundings and with each other, while becoming attuned to the aches, tightness, and tweaks that our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energies convey.

This is a moment for a deep sigh, a moment of “I am present,” a moment of becoming aware of how much wear and tear our mind, body, and spirit have embodied, toiled over, especially in the past several months of “what just happened?!”

Presenters and program items are being developed as I type, with details available by 1 April. I guarantee you’ll find something intriguing and educational. Mia Mingus mia.mingus will be speaking at 4pm Monday, 19 April 2021. She’s an outstanding presenter, thinker, and organizer and I treasure every time I’ve heard her present.

Conference Schedule Overview

Saturday & Sunday, 17–18 April, 2021, SDS@OSU:

• 9 Blocks of 4-5 Concurrent Sessions
• Plenary Event
• All-day Zola Help Desk
• All-day Display, Chat, and Respite Space
• DANCE DANCE DANCE

Monday & Tuesday, 19–20 April, 2021
SDS@OSU plus Multiple Perspectives:

• 6 Blocks of 2 Concurrent SDS@OSU Strand Sessions
• All-Day Sessions organized by the Multiple Perspectives Conference
• Plenary Events

The Society for Disability Studies is the academic home for people who understand disability from the social (justice) model. They publish Disability Studies Quarterly, which mixes up high academic and practical activism—it’s always worth checking out their open access archive if you’re interested in anything related to disability.

Disability Studies as a discipline recognizes that disability is a key aspect of human experience, and that the study of disability has important political, social, and economic implications for society as a whole, including both disabled and nondisabled people. Through research, artistic production, teaching and activism, the Society for Disability Studies seeks to augment understanding of disability in all cultures and historical periods, to promote greater awareness of the experiences of disabled people, and to advocate for social change.

Comments

[sovay]

This is a moment for a deep sigh, a moment of “I am present,” a moment of becoming aware of how much wear and tear our mind, body, and spirit have embodied, toiled over, especially in the past several months of “what just happened?!”

That is a really useful theme.

Indeed!

[jesse_the_k]

As ryda_wong helpfully reminded me, traumatic anniversaries are a thing and damn there's been too many trauma opportunities.

[sasha_feather]

*thumbs up*

[starshipfox]

Thank you for drawing my attention to this organisation! Never heard of them before, and it sounds really important.

[jesse_the_k]

It combines serious academics and giddy cross-disability happiness. The Dance is infamous across several continents, although it's hard to appreciate the wide variety of bodyminds letting go with joy over zoom.

[peachpai]

Oohh this is very exciting, thanks for the info! I don't know if I can justify the membership fee right now even at the student rate, but I'll definitely save it for the future. And the open access journal!!! Love it.

[jesse_the_k]

Generous folks have underwritten no-cost membership for newbies, as they don't want money to be a barrier for interested folks. Happy to connect you if you're interested.

[peachpai]

I keep thinking about this and waffling because I'm generally uncomfortable asking people to pay for things, but I know this is something I want for myself and my future medical career. Aaaah I don't know!!

Perfect icon is perfect

[jesse_the_k]

"your future medical career" will be full of folks espousing the medical and moral models of disability, so think of this as a chance to round out your education!

Re: Perfect icon is perfect

[peachpai]

Ugh yes, that is such a huge problem. Okay you convinced me to accept help for the fees. Hook me up!