The Book
Disability Visibility by
A groundbreaking collection of first-person writing on the joys and challenges of the modern disability experience: Disability Visibility brings together the voices of activists, authors, lawyers, politicians, artists, and everyday people whose daily lives are, in the words of playwright Neil Marcus, "an art ... an ingenious way to live." According to the last census, one in five people in the United States lives with a disability. Some are visible, some are hidden--but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Now, just in time for the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together an urgent, galvanizing collection of personal essays by contemporary disabled writers. There is Harriet McBryde Johnson's "Unspeakable Conversations," which describes her famous debate with Princeton philosopher Peter Singer over her own personhood. There is columnist s. e. smith's celebratory review of a work of theater by disabled performers. There are original pieces by up-and-coming authors like Keah Brown and Haben Girma. There are blog posts, manifestos, eulogies, and testimonies to Congress. Taken together, this anthology gives a glimpse of the vast richness and complexity of the disabled experience, highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of this community. It invites readers to question their own assumptions and understandings. It celebrates and documents disability culture in the now. It looks to the future and past with hope and love.
ISBN: 9781984899422Publication Date: 2020-06-30
Welcome!
The Reads Program
The Reads Program is designed to provide faculty and staff with the opportunity to review and discuss readings pertaining to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Each year a new book will be selected and collectively read to examine the ways faculty and staff can work to make Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine more inclusive. ALL faculty, staff and trainees are welcome!
There will be a limited number of physical book and e-book copies available for check out at the Alumni Medical Library. Looking for an e-book or audiobook? Copies are available through the Boston Public Library, or check your local public library! Need help accessing this book from the public library? Head to our The E-Book & Audiobook section on The Book page to learn more!
Program Description & Schedule
BUMC Reads Program: Disability Visibility. First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century
Program Description:
- Discussion book -- four sessions Fall 23' semester!
- Special speaker event with Alice Wong hosted by BUSPH on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 5pm-6pm. Register here for the Zoom webinar!
- Share thoughts on issues of disability, accessibility, and lived experiences
- Learn ways to initiate conversations on ableism and disability justice
- FREE online access to the ebook through Alumni Medical Library
- FREE limited numbers of alternative formats are also available: E-Copies, Audio-Book format
Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m.:
- Part 1 – Being: Sept. 13
- Part 2 – Becoming: Oct. 11
- Part 3 – Doing: Nov. 8
- Part 4 – Dec. 6
- Register here to attend the discussion dates listed above!
Reads Program is open to all BUMC staff & faculty.