A Celebration of Diversity: An Introductory, Annotated Bibliography about Disability Culture
by Steven E. Brown, Ph.D.
Institute on Disability Culture
2260 Sunrise Point Rd.
Las Cruces, NM 88011
PDF (124 KB)
Copyright ©1995, Institute on Disability Culture, All Rights Reserved
Contents
- Introduction
- Cultural Artifacts
- Calendars
Catalog
Poster
Books: Non-Fiction
Books: Fiction
Books: Photography
Books: Poetry
Articles: Journals and Magazines
Newspapers, Newsletters
Monographs
Videos (most recent prices included, where known)
Plays
Films
Radio
Audio Tapes
Comics
The idea of celebrating disability, a condition historically viewed from tragedy to deviance to incompetence, remains mostly unbelievable to a society guided by precepts of medical practice which convey the belief that the only positive solution to disability is repair or cure. The most popular current-day view of disability is molded by what many disabled people consider the scourge of the late twentieth century--telethons.
Telethons have generated great controversy for the past decade or so. Entertainer Jerry Lewis has become one focal point of this conflict. Several years ago Lewis spent some time in a wheelchair to see what it was like. He wrote about his experiences in Parade. His comments were so disparaging that two advocates with Muscular Dystrophy formed a group called, "Jerry's Orphans," to sponsor annual Labor Day demonstrations to protest Lewis' demeaning approach to disability.
The two combatants have waged a public battle, which led to a 1993 article in Vanity Fair. Paul Longmore, a historian with a disability known for his studies of the media and telethons, described the impact of telethons on the American public.
"Four major telethons--Easter Seals, the Arthritis Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy, and the M.D.A.--are the single most powerful cultural mechanism defining the public identities of people with disabilities in our society today, mainly because they reach so many people....The telethon sponsors claim that, collectively, they have a combined audience of 250 million people. That's the equivalent of the population of this country. The message of telethons is that whatever condition people with disabilities have, that condition has essentially spoiled their lives, and the only way to correct that is to cure them. The message of the disability-rights movement is that it's possible to be a whole person with a disability." (Bennets, 1993, 92)
The final two sentences of Longmore's analysis form a precise description of the models of charity and celebration of disability that have emerged in the late twentieth century. Several scholars have endeavored to explore these models through the development of paradigm charts, such as my own "The Chart: Disability Rights/Culture/Pride Paradigm."
Perhaps the simplest way to describe disability culture is to exclaim pride in the condition of disability. Dianne B. Piastro is a middle-aged woman with a disability. She was once a nondisabled adult. Her experiences in becoming disabled from Multiple Sclerosis created a desire to write. Since the mid-1980's, Piastro has published a syndicated newspaper column called "Living with a Disability." In a July 18, 1993 column, she wrote:
"Contrary to what you may think, disability culture is not new. It has always existed. But it is the people who know they are well- centered and valuable because they have a disability, not in spite of it, who will bring it into America's consciousness."
Some of those individuals who have recognized value in the experience of disability have been posing questions about the culture of disability for much of the past decade. The first recorded work exploring this issue occurred at the 1984 Conference of the Association on Handicapped Student Service Programs in Post-Secondary Education (AHSSPPE, recently changed to Association on Higher Education and Disability, or AHEAD). The presenters, David Pfeiffer of Suffolk University and Andrea Schein of the University of Massachusetts-Boston, each asked "Is There a Culture of Disability?" Their affirmative responses were published in the Association's Proceedings.
In the decade since Pfeiffer and Schein first posed the question about the existence of a disability culture, answers began slowly, then escalated. For most of the 1980s the question was rarely pondered. When it was raised it most often came in the form of tentative queries or explorations in little-known disability-oriented magazines or in thundering nos from the halls of academia.
The discussion about a culture of disability has changed considerably in the 1990s. A plethora of activity has emerged in literature, art, history, music, movies, and other arenas. Two national bodies have recently recognized disability culture activities for the first time. The National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR) funded my 1993-1994 fellowship proposal to conduct research about disability culture and the National Endowment for the Arts recognized another leading proponent of the culture, Cheryl Marie Wade, with an Arts Solo Theatre Artist's Fellowship in 1994.
As the number artists, writers, scholars, and advocates of disability culture grow, so too does the need for an exploration of what is already available. The mushrooming examples seem endless.
The field of disability writing is not an easy one to assess, or to access. Books about the subject of disability, and disability culture, are to be found in diverse sections of libraries and bookstores. In the past year, I have taken to wandering into new bookstores and inquiring about a disability section. A few have such a beast, but what one finds in it ranges from self-help books to autobiographies to disability-specific stories to a conglomeration of other topics. Any of these subjects might be found in other sections as well.
To further complicate matters, some of the best information about disability, and disability culture, is found in neither books nor journals, but in newsletters, brochures, fliers, and other kinds of media that are difficult to locate in any systemic way. The result of this miscellany of materials has been an attempt on my part to read, view, hear, and locate all I could. But in this process, I have overlooked journal articles, missed books, and certainly missed much of what is out there to be found about disability culture. This would apply to movies, music, and media as well.
The most complete bibliography published thus far is in my manuscript resulting from the NIDRR fellowship, Investigating a Culture of Disability: Final Report. It includes a total of more than 250 citations, including 65 books; 24 anthology articles; 99 magazine and journal articles; 20 newspaper and newsletter articles; 11 unpublished manuscripts; 50 films; 5 musical entries; and, 8 cultural artifacts, including comics, calendars, and a poster. Yet, this too, is only a selected bibliography, highlighting the most important of the present 929 citations entered into twenty-four computer database categories of "Books: Non-fiction;" "Books: Fiction;" "Fiction: Short Stories;" "Books: Photography;" "Books: Poetry;" "Poetry: Tapes;" "Poems;" "Books: For Children;" "Articles from Anthologies;" "Journal, Magazine and Newspaper Articles: Non-Fiction;" "Newspapers, Newsletters;" "Monographs;" "Unpublished Works;" "Letters:" "Films;" "Videos;" "Radio;" "Music: Tapes/Compact Discs;" "Music: Songs;" "Comics;" and, "Cultural Artifacts: Calendars, Catalog, and Posters;" as of this writing.
The annotated, disability culture bibliography which follows is an introductory, idiosyncratic effort, reflecting my own personal tastes, biases, and knowledge.
Baldwin, James, No Name in the Street (New York: Doubleday, 1972).
An exploration of events affecting black America in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this work is particularly relevant to themes of disability culture because its concluding words about the development of a positive black culture echo the disability rights movement's evolution from political equality to personal and community pride.
Berkowitz, Edward D., Disabled Policy: America's Program for the Handicapped (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987).
A look at the beginnings of twentieth-century disability programs; the author argues there is in reality no policy, which has been costly for America and Americans with disabilities. The history of Worker's Compensation and Social Security is explored in detail.
Bowe, Frank, Changing the Rules (Silver Spring, MD: TJ Publishers, 1986).
An autobiographical examination of the early years of one of the United States' most influential policy advocates with a disability, particularly riveting in discussing Bowe's pre-adolescent years coping with deafness. See also, Handicapping America: Barriers to Disabled People (New York: Harper & Row, 1978), an exploration of how society handicaps its members with disabilities, and Rehabilitating America: Toward Independence for Disabled and Elderly People (New York: Harper & Row, 1980), with an emphasis on the economics of disability.
Brown, Christy, My Left Foot (Martin, Secker & Warburg, Ltd., 1954).
An Irish autobiography, which is effective and moving in describing growing up with a non-verbal disability and the connections, and lack thereof, made in Brown's life.
Brown, Steven E., Independent Living: Theory and Practice (Las Cruces, NM: Institute on Disability Culture, 2260 Sunrise Point Rd., 1994).
An exploration of the theoretical constructs and daily work of independent living programs. See also, Investigating a Culture of Disability: Final Report (Las Cruces, NM: Institute on Disability Culture, 1994), containing a brief description of Americans' perceptions about disability and the first in-depth exploration of a cross-disability culture of disability.
Brown, Susan T., ed., An Independent Living Approach to Disability Policy Studies (Oakland, CA: World Institute on Disability, 1993).
A compilation of essays looking at the new field of disability policy studies, many first delivered at the Society for Disability Studies Annual Conference in 1993, with an introduction by Irving Kenneth Zola and a bibliography by David Pfeiffer.
Browne, Susan E., Debra Connors, Nanci Stern, eds., With the Power of Each Breath (Pittsburgh and San Francisco: Cleis Press, 1985).
A powerful anthology depicting women's views about life, disability, anger, activism, belonging, and many other topics.
Bullard, David G. and Susan E. Knight, eds., Sexuality and Physical Disability: Personal Perspectives (St. Louis, C.V. Mosby, 1981).
Personal stories about sexuality and disability; a topic still rarely addressed in depth fifteen years later.
Callahan, John, Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot: The Autobiography of a Dangerous Man (New York: Vintage, 1989), a life story about the dissatisfactions and satisfactions of life before and after alcoholism and disability which comes across to many as strikingly realistic, and, naturally includes many wonderful cartoons. Also available in chronological order and all published by the New York firm of William Morrow are the following compilations of Callahan's cutting-edge cartoons: Do Not Disturb Any Further (1990), Digesting the Child Within (1991), Do What He Says! He's Crazy (1992), The Night They Say, Was Made for Love plus My Sexual Scrapbook (1993), What Kind of God Would Allow a Thing Like This to Happen?!! (1994), and, most recently, a fairy tale, The King of Things and the Cranberry Clown (1994), which is not about disability--or is it?
During, Simon, ed., The Cultural Studies Reader (London: Routledge, 1993).
Although disability almost never appears in this anthology of twenty-nine articles about cultural studies, the discussion of culture and cultural studies in the "Introduction," and the content of many of the articles offers a good grounding in why many individuals and groups so easily identify with a culture of disability, as well as why others might not.
Ferguson, Philip M., Abandoned to Their Fate: Social Policy and Practice toward Severely Retarded People in America, 1820-1920 (Philadelphia: Temple, 1994).
An analysis of why institutions for people with mental retardation assumed premier significance in the American imagination, (even though most individuals who were mentally retarded did not reside in them), resulting from the need for institutional administrators to promote their own welfare, both economically and professionally.
Finger, Anne, Past Due: A Story of Disability, Pregnancy, and Birth (Seattle: Seal, 1990).
A compelling writer recounting her discovery of her pregnancy, how it impacted her perception of herself as a woman with a disability and then discovering anew life as the mother of a child with a disability.
Gallagher, Hugh Gregory, By Trust Betrayed: Patients, Physicians and the License to Kill in the Third Reich (New York: Henry Holt, 1990).
The story of the Holocaust commencing with the genocide of people with disabilities is terrifying enough, but what sticks with me is the post-Nazi era (that is, now) of former Nazi physicians, among others, continuing to promote the theoretical foundations that led to that genocide and the pervasive, ongoing practice of "mercy-killing" of people with disabilities around the world. See also, FDR's Splendid Deception (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1985), the first work to examine seriously FDR's disability and the impact it had on his life. Historians and other scholars who acknowledge Gallagher's contribution to understanding FDR still tend to skip over the effect of his disability, seeing it as a hurdle he overcame or a path to identification with the "common American," despite a multitude of evidence that his post-polio disabilities were far more complex and significant.
Hevey, David, The Creatures Time Forgot: Photography and Disability Imagery (London: Routledge, 1992).
An outstanding achievement. The best work describing the telethon mentality and its deleterious effects on disabled people. Expensive, because of the photographs, but well worth it.
Ingstad, Benedicte and Susan Reynolds Whyte, eds., Disability and Culture (Berkeley: University of Berkeley, 1995).
Fourteen essays by twelve authors, all anthropologists, including five essays by the editors, discuss perceptions about disability in primarily non-Western cultures. This is one of the best books around depicting disability with an international perspective, but it also is problematical because of its lack of inclusion of many authors with disabilities or from the cultures discussed. A more in-depth critique is forthcoming in Disability and Rehabilitation.
Kingsley, Jason and Mitchell Levitz, Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome (San Diego: Harvest, 1994).
The disability rights movement has been criticized at times for being too focused on people with physical impairments. But at the very least, it has enabled others to enjoy the fruits of its labors. Two young adults with Down Syndrome have published a wonderful, honest, and funny book, based on several years of conversations, primarily with their parents.
Milam, Lorenzo Wilson, Crip Zen: A Manual for Survival (San Diego, CA: Mho & Mho Works, 1993).
Milam's inimitable style is brought to play discussing and rendering advice about wide range of topics concerning living with a disability, from travel to drugs to literature to sex. See also, The Cripple Liberation Front Marching Band Blues (San Diego, CA: Mho & Mho Works, 1984), an autobiographical exploration of being at Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center post-FDR and learning about life, love, disability, sexuality, and passion. A hard read for many--Milam does not mince words--but worth the effort.
Miller, Vassar, ed., Despite This Flesh: The Disabled in Stories and Poems (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1985).
An uneven, but interesting, compilation of short stories, poetry, and essays.
Moore, Frank, Art of a Shaman (Available from inter-relations: PO Box 11445, Berkeley, CA 94712, 1991).
Frank Moore is a Berkeley performance artist who is a mostly unsung treasure of the disability arts and culture movement. Although his proclivity for nudity in performances and videos will repel some, his compilation of a fairly recent lecture, the Art of a Shaman is the only American work I know of that approaches Hevey's sophistication of exploration of complex issues.
Murphy, Robert, The Body Silent (New York: Henry Holt, 1987).
Murphy's status as a respected anthropologist and a person living with, and then dying from, an acquired disability combined to make him an authority about disabling conditions. Unfortunately, he sometimes tends to be presented as the authority. Most disturbing is the assumption that what Murphy had to say in the late 1980s would stand unchanged in the mid-1990s. Murphy's own description of the liminal status of disability might just as aptly apply to his own work--standing at the crossroads between perceptions of disability as a negative condition making it difficult to function in society and today's refined idea of disability as a natural process of life which is not only not completely negative, but has characteristics non-disabled society could benefit from emulating.
Nagler, Mark, ed., Perspectives on Disability, 2nd ed. Palo Alto, CA: Health Markets Research, 1993).
This second edition of Perspectives on Disability is an excellent compilation of fifty-three articles, many reprinted from other sources, discussing identity, society, family, sexuality, medicine, education, and legal issues, among others.
Panzarino, Connie, The Me in the Mirror (Seattle: Seal, 1994).
Very interesting autobiography about growing up with a disability prior to the advent of the disability rights movement, being a part of that movement's beginnings, and how it transformed the author's life.
Scotch, Richard K., From Good Will to Civil Rights: Transforming Federal Disability Policy (Philadelphia: Temple, 1984).
A detailed examination of the protests and demonstrations leading to the promulgation of 504 regulations.
Shapiro, Joseph P., No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement (New York: Times Books, 1993).
A journalist's account of the development of the disability rights movement: the personal stories are the strongest aspects of the work, the analysis of how disability rights fits into and compares with the patterns of other movements are the weakest portions.
Shaw, Barrett, ed. The Ragged Edge: The Disability Experience from the Pages of the First Fifteen Years of the Disability Rag (Louisville: Advocado, 1994).
Much of the discussion about disability culture in the 1980s occurred in the pages of the Rag. This is a compilation of forty-seven articles and poems, some of which specifically address a culture of disability; many others describe the culture itself in discussions including sexuality, suicide, and community.
Shilts, Randy, And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1987).
The late author's book reads like a detective novel, integrating the search for what caused the AIDS virus, how it spread, and how it might be cured, with the machinations of public policy and professional rivalries across the world. But the focus remains on those impacted by AIDS and their place in a brand-new world, one in which HIV becomes first deadly, then disabling.
Snow, Judith A., What's Really Worth Doing and How to Do It: A Book for People Who Love Someone Labeled Disabled (Toronto: Inclusion, 1994).
As a young child, Snow dreamed of being a truck-driver, an unrealistic goal considering her disability. But the fantasy, it turns out, was not so much about driving a truck as being mobile and, as she discusses how she has traveled all over the world, she offers tips for others to be able to follow their dreams.
Wade, Cheryl Marie, ed., Range of Motion: an anthology of disability poetry, prose and art (Albany, CA: Minuteman, a KIDS Project/Squeaky Wheels Press, Box 448, Berkeley, CA 94701-0448, 1993).
Wade is a performance artist who has become one of the most well-known of the recent crop of disability culture advocates. She has edited several anthologies. The most recent is chock full of poignant writing. It introduced me to Frank Moore and many other artists.
Winston, Charlie, America's Telability Media (Available from Telability Media, PO Box 1488, Columbia, MO 62505-1488).
Marketing tool and reference guide with more than 500 media resources that reach the disability community and the rehabilitation profession. Each entry contains detailed information.
Zola, Irving Kenneth, Missing Pieces: A Chronicle of Living with a Disability (Philadelphia: Temple, 1982).
This spellbinding account of time spent in Het Dorp, a housing cooperative in the Netherlands, is Zola's coming out as an activist with a disability and a member of the community of people with disabilities. See also, ed., Ordinary Lives: Voices of Disability and Disease (Cambridge: Apple-wood, 1982), an early compilation of fact and fiction.
Dunn, Katherine, Geek love. (New York: Warner, 1989).
The life of a circus family, whose mother has ingested all kinds of drugs and done whatever she could to give birth to "freaks" who will keep people coming to the bigtop. Very graphic and at times difficult to read, but realistic in looking at how what we would today call people with disabilities could find community in this setting.
Finger, Anne, Bone Truth (Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1994).
The main character is an artist with a disability who is becoming reconciled to her past, a radical family with an abusive father, and her present as a woman with a younger lover who has just discovered her pregnancy.
Gilman, Charlotte Perkins, The Yellow Wallpaper (New York: Feminist Press at City University of New York, 1973).
A nineteenth century short story that brings the reader into a world of mental unbalance and oppression of women.
Groom, Winston, Forrest Gump (New York: Pocketbooks, 1994, 1st published 1986).
Quite different than the Oscar-winning movie, the novel is rougher, Forrest is not as smart, as smooth, as naive, or quite as lucky in love.
Heinlein, Robert, Waldo & Magic, Inc. (New York: Del Rey, 1986, 1st copyrighted, 1940, 1942, 1950).
This science fiction writer, who had a disability, wrote Waldo, a novella, about a character with Myasthenia Gravis, who lives in space to become nondisabled when freed from gravity.
Shelley, Mary, Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (First published 1818).
The "monster" battles isolation, searches for companionship, and community. Is he a person with a disability?
Stewart, Jean, The Body's Memory (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989).
The first novel that captures the spirit and reality of the disability rights movement as a young woman comes to terms with cancer and its aftermath.
Trumbo, Dalton, Johnny Got His Gun (New York: Bantam, 1967).
An anti-war novel about a man who, after his wounds in battle, can move only his eyes.
Gans, Lydia, To Live with Grace and Dignity (Horsham, PA: LRP Publications, 1994).
A look at people who use personal assistance services in the Berkeley area. Photographs are accompanied by essays about both the person with the disability and their assistants.
Hekking, Angelina M. A., Seeds of Light: Images of Healing, Self-Portraits (San Francisco, Angel, 1990).
A woman with Multiple Sclerosis takes us on a journey exploring her disability through photography and diary entries.
Brown, Steven E. Pain, Plain--and Fancy Rappings: Poetry from the Disability Culture (Las Cruces, NM: Institute on Disability Culture, 1995).
Autobiographical and imaginative poems looking at living with pain, participating in disability rights activism, and celebrating the culture of disability.
Dykes, Disability, & Stuff, "The Poetry Special," (Boston: Women's Educational Fund, 1994).
Dykes, Disability, & Stuff is a little-known newsletter specifically geared to lesbians with disabilities. This is an audiotape compilation of some poems previously printed in the newsletter.
Hershey, Laura, Dreams of a Different Woman: New Poems by Laura Hershey (Denver: Dragonfly, PO Box 9004, 1994).
Poems about being a woman, being disabled, and life. See also, On the Lawn: Nairobi Women's Conference Poems (Denver: Dragonfly, 1994), and, In the Way, ADAPT Poems (Denver: Dragonfly, nd). Also available on tape.
Williams, Robert, In a Struggling Voice: The Selected Poems of Robert Williams (Washington, D.C.: United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc., 1522 K St., Suite 1112, Washington, D.C. 20005, 1989).
Currently, Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bob has compiled a book of his poetry about life and disability.
Articles: Journals and Magazines
Backman, Eric, "Amazing Grace," Mainstream: Magazine of the Able-Disabled, 18, (10), (Aug. 1994), 40-43.
Story about Grace Lin, artist, dancer, and current coordinator of the World Institute on Disability's quarterly art shows.
Bennets, Leslie, "Letter from Las Vegas," Vanity Fair, (Sept. 1993), 82, 84, 86, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98.
Discussion of the Muscular Dystrophy telethon. See narrative for more detail.
Brown, Steven E., "Creating a Disability Mythology," International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 15, (Winter 1992), 227-33.
A look at creating a positive mythology about disability, begins with an exploration of people with disabilities as heroes. See also, "I Was Born (in a Hospital Bed)--When I Was Thirty-One Years Old," Disability and Society, 10, (1), (1995), 103-110, an awakening to a positive life as a person with a disability, "The Walkout," Disability Rag, 6, (9), (September 1985) 39-40, a description of putting our jobs on the line over the issue of people with disabilities running our own organizations, and "The Chart: Disability Rights/Culture/Pride Paradigm," (Las Cruces, NM: Institute on Disability Culture, 1995).
Epstein, Susie, "Am I Crip Enough Yet?" Mainstream: Magazine of the Able-Disabled, 19 (8) (May 1995), 15-19.
An excellent article discussing what makes someone disabled, both in their own perceptions and from those of outsiders.
Gill, Carol J., "Continuum Retort--Part II," Disability Rag & ReSource, 15, (2), (March/April 1994), 3-7.
The most consistent voice promoting the concept of a culture of disability from the mid-1980s onward, Gill discusses the need to recognize a separate disability identity. See also, "Disability and the Family," Mainstream: Magazine of the Able-Disabled, 18, (5), (Feb. 1994), 30-35, "Dual Citizenship & Conditional Acceptance," Disability Rag, 13, (3), (May/June 1992), 12-13, "What the Doctors Didn't Want to Know," Disability Rag, 13, (3), (May/June 1992), 11-13, and "When is a Woman Not a Woman?" Disability Rag, 13, (3), (May/June 1992), 26-27, all of which explore the themes of people with disabilities interacting in a society geared to non-disabled people.
Golfus, Billy, "The Do-Gooder," Disability Rag, 11, (4), (July/Aug 1990), 14-18, 19.
Before the video, "When Billy Broke his Head..." were articles, including this indictment of the helping professional and the helping professions. See also, "The Trouble with Do-Gooders," Mouth, V, (3), (Sept/Oct 1994), 6-10.
Groch, Sharon A., "Oppositional Consciousness: Its Manifestation and Development, The Case of People with Disabilities," Sociological Inquiry, 64, (4), (November 1994), 369-95.
A discussion of the development of disability consciousness from the viewpoint of opposing typical societal institutions.
Gwin, Lucy, "The Myth of Rescue," Mouth, V, (3), (Sept/Oct 1994), 4-5.
The Mouth editor wondering why people with disabilities are waiting for others to make our lives better when that is not the historical pattern we have encountered. See also, "Facing the Dragon," Mouth, V, (5) (Jan-Feb 1995), 10-11, and "Who we are not," New Mobility: Disability Lifestyle, Culture & Resources, 5, (18), (Nov-Dec 1994), 32-34.
Hahn, Harlan, "The Los Angeles Uprisings of 1992: A Disability Perspective," Disability Studies Quarterly, 13, (1), (Winter 1993), 80-84.
A fascinating approach to combining a disability perspective with a glimpse at urban revolts in general and this one in particular.
Hershey, Laura, "Pride," Disability Rag, 12, (4), (July/Aug 1991), 1, 4-5.
A look at why there is a need to develop and maintain a disability pride and how difficult it can be at times.
Hirsch, Karen, "Studying Culture," Disability Rag, 8, (3), (May/June 1987), 38-39.
An early editorial discussing the need for recognizing and studying a culture of disability.
Hooper, Ed, "A Question of Cure," Disability Rag, 9, (1), (Jan/Feb 1989), 18-21.
If a cure were offered, would a person with a disability take it? This question, often perceived as the cornerstone of one's pride, was posed by one of the first writers to discuss community. See also, "Seeking the Disabled Community," Disability Rag, 6, (8), (Aug 1985), 1, 4-6, 8.
Johnson, Mary, "EMOTION AND PRIDE," Disability Rag, 8, (1), (Jan/Feb 1987), 1, 4-10.
This is the big one for many! A plea to recognize and develop pride in a community of people with disabilities. Carol Gill is quoted liberally throughout about how we must reconcile ourselves emotionally to disability and celebrate ourselves as people with disabilities.
Kaltenheuser, Skip, "Hugh Gallagher: ADA's Hidden Architect," New Mobility: Disability Lifestyle, Culture & Resources, 6,(23) July-Aug. 1995, 40-43.
A look at Gallagher's role as writer, historian, and policy maker who paved the way for the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968.
Lathrop, Douglas, "Johnny's Song," Mainstream: Magazine of the Able-Disabled, 17, (8), (May 1993), 12-18.
A discussion of the disability pride songs of Johnny Crescendo and the meaning of a culture of disability.
Linton, Simi, "Teaching Disability Studies," Disability Studies Quarterly, 14, (2), (Spring 1994), 44-46.
At the Society for Disability Studies Annual Conference in 1993, Linton and others discussed the need for a definition of disability studies for the 1990s. This article includes the definition that resulted from that discussion.
Longmore, Paul, "The Life of Randolph Bourne and the Need for a History of Disabled People: Review of Bruce Clayton's Forgotten Prophet: The Life of Randolph Bourne," in Reviews in American History, (Dec. 1985), 581-87.
Longmore used the opportunity of this review to decry the writing about individuals with disabilities without understanding disability as a social and cultural condition as well as a medical one and advocated for the historical study of disability from a disability perspective.
Peters, Anne, "Developing a Language: Naming is Power," Disability Rag, 7, (4), (April 1986), 25.
In the midst of the ongoing debate over the words "handicap" and "disabled," Peters wrote this article discussing the importance of the dialogue. See also, "Developing a Language: What about 'gimp'" Disability Rag, 7, (5), (May/June 1986), 20.
Peters, D.J., "Human experience in disablement: the imperative of the ICIDH," Disability and Rehabilitation, 17 (3/4), (1995), 135-44.
An admirable attempt to integrate a medical, academic, and disability perspective into new paradigms.
Pfeiffer, David "Is There a Culture of Disability?" 1984 and Beyond, Proceedings of 1984 AHSSPPE Conference, 1984.
An argument that there is a learned culture of disability. See also, "Hip Crip 101," Mainstream: Magazine of the Able-Disabled, 19, (4), (Dec-Jan 1994-95), 32-37, a discussion of books about disability, including several top ten reading lists.
Piastro, Dianne B., "Telethons...Where do we go from here?" Disability Rag & ReSource, 16, (4), (July-Aug. 1995), 24-26.
A columnist who has railed against telethons argues it may be time for a different approach.
Schein, Andrea, "Is There A Culture of Disability?" 1984 and Beyond, Proceedings of 1984 AHSSPPE Conference, 1984.
Schein describes an evolution from medical failures to civil rights advocacy in concluding there are disability sub-cultures. Smith, Michael and Beth Haller, "Media and Disability Policy: An Annotated Bibliography," Disability Studies Quarterly, 15, (2), (Spring 1995), 22-26.
Stothers, William G., "It's Time to Wake Up to Our History and Power," Mainstream: Magazine of the Able-Disabled, 17, (3), (Nov. 1992), 50.
Many people find Stothers' editorials one of the highlights of each issue. This one reminds us that disabled people have a history and that we need to recognize and promote it.
Wade, Cheryl Marie, "Crazy, etc." Disability Rag & ReSource, 16, (2), (March/April 1995), 33-36.
Performance artist Wade now writes an ongoing column for the Rag depicting various aspects of the culture of disability. This one is about artists with mental health disabilities. See also, "Creating a Disability Aesthetic in the Arts," Disability Rag & ReSource, 15, (6), (Nov-Dec 1994), 29-31, "Documentaries, Crip Style," Disability Rag & ReSource, 16 (1), (Jan-Feb 1995), 30-33, "Identity," Disability Rag & ReSource, 16, (5), (Sept/Oct 1994), 32-36, "Look, Ma, It's a Poem," Disability Rag & ReSource, 16, (3), (May/June 1995), 33-36, and, "Other Voices: Creating Crip Text," Disability Rag & ReSource, 16, (4), (July-Aug. 1995), 34-37.
Waxman, Barbara Faye, "Hate," Disability Rag, 13, (3), (May/June 1992), 1, 4-7.
A look at hate crimes against people because they have disabilities. See also, "It's Time to Politicize Our Sexual Oppression," Disability Rag, 12, (2), (March/April 1991), 23-26, and, "The Year of the Disabled Woman, or Girls, It's Time to Flaunt Your Sexuality," Disability Rag, 14, (3), (May/June 1993), 28-29.
Wolfe, Kathi, "Backlash!" Mainstream: Magazine of the Able-Disabled, 19, (8), (May 1995), 31-34, 35-36.
A discussion of current anger expressed verbally and physically against individuals with disabilities and in the context of the development of a culture of disability. See also, "I do want to talk about it, Disability Rag & ReSource, 16, (1), (Jan-Feb 1995), 34-35, "Springtime for Hitler: A Journal," Disability Rag, 14, (6), (Nov/Dec 1993), 11-13, and "Stonewalled? A Journal," Disability Rag & ReSource, 15, (6), (Sept/Oct 1994), 21-22, 27-28.
Zola, Irving Kenneth, "In the Active Voice: A Reflective Essay on Three Books," Policy Studies Journal, 21, (4), Winter 1993, 802-805.
When Zola passed away in December 1994, we lost one of our most prolific, creative, and enthusiastic explorers about disability and its role. This essay clearly identifies dichotomies between being perceived with and without a disability from within and without. See also, "Shaping an Interdisciplinary Field of Disability Studies: The Perspective of Sociology," in Brown, ed., An Independent Living Approach, 5-9, describing, among other things, the development of the Disability Studies Quarterly, and "Disability Statistics, What We Count and What It Tells Us: A Personal and Political Analysis," Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 4, (2), 1993, 9-39.
Ann-Lewis, Victoria "The Secret Community: Disability and the American Theater," Impact, II, (1), (Fall/Winter 1994-1995), 2-3.
In the World Institute on Disability newsletter, Ann-Lewis describes disability in the world of theater, particularly at her own Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.
Auberger, Mike, "Address by Mike Auberger, D.C.--May 9, 1993," Incitement, 9, (4), (June/July 1993), 6, 12.
Contains the powerful statement, "Martin Luther King had a dream. We have a destiny, not a dream, a destiny, to realize. We shall have the right to choose how we live, and where we live."
Bechdol, Barb, "Welcome Mercedes," Dykes, Disability & Stuff, 5 (1), 6-7.
Mercedes is a newly-acquired wheelchair.
Brown, Steven E., "American Apartheid," Advocate (Progressive Independence, Norman, OK), (January 1988), 1.
An early discussion of the treatment of people with disabilities paralleling the South African oppression of blacks. See also, "Declaration of Principles," Cleveland County Independent Living Advocate (August 1983), 1, an endeavor to describe what we will and will not accept from society, "The Disability Identity," OCCD (Oklahoma Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities) Newsletter, VII, (Winter 1986) 9-10, a positive glimpse of living with a disability, and, "The Truth About Telethons," OCCD Newsletter, VII, (Summer/Fall 1985) 4-5, a discussion of why separate is still never equal, including when disabilities are singled out at specific times of the year.
Marcus, Neil, ed., "A Limited Edition Collection of Special Effects Newsletter," (Santa Barbara, CA: Access Theatre, 1988).
Neil, actor-author-playwright, has been putting many of his thoughts into this newsletter for years and distributing it randomly. This is a collection of what he considers his best efforts.
Piastro, Dianne B., "Creating a group identity, culture," in "Living with a Disability" column distributed by Newspaper Enterprises Association, May 4, 1992.
Discussion of the development of the University of Minnesota's Disabled Student Cultural Center. See also, "Disability Culture," in "Living with a Disability" column distributed by Newspaper Enterprises Association, July 18, 1993, discussed in narrative.
Zinman, Sally, "The legacy of Howie the Harp lives on," National Empowerment Center Newsletter, (Spring/Summer 1995), 1, 9.
One of the leaders of the mental health disability rights movement is remembered in this touching and evocative article.
Leon, Joan, ed., Just Like Everyone Else (Oakland: World Institute on Disability, 510 16th St., Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612, 1992).
Culture, political advances, and independent living are interspersed with photographs, directories, and quotations.
Lenihan, John, Performance: Disabled Americans: A History (Washington, D.C.: President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, 1976-77).
Dated, but still contains information about the history of disability found nowhere else.
Levy, Chava Willig, A People's History of the Independent Living Movement (Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living, 4001 Dole Building, Lawrence, KS, 66045, 1988).
A brief look at the development of the independent living movement though the lives of some of its key players.
Kailes, June Isaacson, "Language is More Than a Trivial Concern," (Available from author, 6201 Ocean Front Walk, Playa del Rey, CA 90293, 1992, revised from original 1984 version.)
The best analysis of why language is so important, what to use, what not to, and why.
Videos (most recent prices included, where known)
Able to Laugh (1993) [Video--27 minutes] Produced by Michael J. Dougan. (Available from Fanlight Productions, 47 Halifax St., Boston, MA 02130). $195.
Six professional comics who have disabilities.
Black Diamond [Video--9 1/2 minutes] (Available from Melanie Media, 2951 Derby St. #101, Berkeley, CA 9470)] $25.00.
Afi-Tiombe Kambon performs story of fate of a child born with a disability to a woman in slavery.
Dancing from the Inside Out. (1993) [Approximately 40 minutes] (Available from Axis Dance Company, 962A 54th St., Oakland, CA 94608).
The video of this dance troupe, which formed in 1987, combines interviews of three dancers with disabilities with footage from a performance using the group's combined talent of people with and without disabilities.
Exploding myths: Exploring the emerging culture of disability. (1993). [Video]. (Available from Corporation on Disability and Telecommunications of Northern California, PO Box 1107, Berkeley, CA 94704).
A look at Bay Area artists, including Cheryl Marie Wade, Neil Marcus, and Bruce Curtis.
Fairy tales can come true. (1981). [Video--35 minutes]. (Available inter-relations, PO Box 11445, Berkeley, CA 94712) $30.00.
Explores fantasies about a young man with a disability becoming sexual and having a relationship. Includes nudity.
Gospel according to Berkeley. (1992). [Video]. (Available from World Institute on Disability, 510 16th St., Oakland, CA 94612)
A look, via the British Broadcasting Company, at the development of the independent living movement, focusing primarily on Berkeley. Here--A poetry performance. (1992). [Video and cassette--13 1/2 minutes]. (Available from CM Wade, 1613 5th St., Berkeley, CA 94710-1714). Video: Institutions: $35.00; Individuals: $25.00; Low-income individual: $15.00. Cassette: $5.00-10.00 Sliding Scale.
Cheryl Marie Wade performs her poetry.
No Apologies. (1995). [Video--28 minutes]. (Available from Wry Crips, PO Box 21474, Oakland, CA 94620). Institutions: $55.00; Individuals--Sliding Scale: $25.00-35.00. Add $4.00 S & H charges.
Moving, humorous performances from a 1990 show, interspersed with interviews with group members. Open captioned.
Out of isolation. (1989). [Video--105 minutes]. Produced by Frank Moore. (Available from inter-relations, PO Box 11445, Berkeley, CA 94712) $30.00.
Surreal, look at life in an institution. Includes nudity.
Mr. Roberts. (circa 1988). Sixty Minutes. [Video--approximately 15 minutes]. (Available from World Institute on Disability, 510 16th St., Oakland, CA 94612). $20.00.
Harry Reasoner interviewing Ed Roberts and his mother, Zona, discussing Ed's early years, his experience with polio and his decision to live, and the founding of the Physically Disabled Student Program, Center for Independent Living, and the World Institute on Disability.
"Redefining Ourselves." [Video package--83 minutes]. (Available from Corporation on Disabilities and Telecommunications/Northern California, PO Box 1107, Berkeley, CA 94704). Two week rental prices: Non-profit organizations and schools: $90.00; Governmental agencies and businesses: $100.00.
Includes Here; The Moving Body, featuring Bruce Curtis in experimental movement and dance; The Commercial, a comical look at how to avoid someone with a disability performed by Wry Crips Disabled Women's Theater; Black Diamond, Afi-Tiombe Kambon performs story of fate of a child born with a disability to a woman in slavery; Migraine 2000, featuring art work of Peni Hall; Melvin's Brat, a satirical look at TV tele-a-thons for kids with disabilities featuring Pamela Walker; and Into the Echo Chamber/DreamWeave, featuring six disabled artists collaborating on exploring the creative process and combining their music, dance, and poetry.
Tell them I'm a mermaid. (1982) [Video-23 minutes] (Available from Films Incorporated Video, 5547 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60640-1199) $99.00.
Victoria Ann-Lewis and six other women describe life as women with disabilities.
We won't go away... (1981). [Video]. (Available from World Institute on Disability, 510 16th St., Oakland, CA 94612). $20.00.
A look at the 504 demonstrations in San Francisco and the early independent living movement.
When Billy Broke his Head...and Other Tales of Wonder (1995) Produced by Billy Golfus and David E. Simpson. [Video-Open captioning available-57 minutes] (Available from Fanlight Productions, 47 Halifax St., Boston, MA 02130). $245.00.
WOW!!! Dare I say it? This is inspirational: includes activism, art, bureaucracy, family, friends, and a look at everyday life--all in a very funny hour.
Clare, Jaehn, "Belle's on Wheels."
Coo, Clarence, "Wolves Can Hear a Saxophone."
Relationship between two teenagers, one of whom is blind.
Crow, Kenneth Littleton, "Hell on Wheels."
Ford, Thomas Paul, "Quartet."
Three musicians of a quartet reunite with the fourth, who has been injured in an accident.
Goldberg, Adam, "The Purple Heart."
Relationship between a teenage boy and his aging grandfather who has Alzheimer's disease.
Lewis, Beth, "Genie of the Lamp."
Several days in the lives of three homeless individuals, one of whom is autistic.
London, Daniel, "The Martha War."
An emotionally disturbed piano tuner comes to terms with his problems through a confrontation with characters from his past.
Marcus, Neil, "My Sexual History."
_______________, "Storm Reading."
"at the forefront of the disabled movement, there must be disabled art. Art which represents disabled people; the pride of our being, the character of our culture and the vision of our future."
Moore, Max, "In the Dark."
Multi-culturalism and disability are explored through two high school students, one of whom is visually impaired.
Nussbaum, Susan, "Mishuganismo."
_______________, "The Plucky and Spunky Show."
_______________, "Staring Back."
_______________, "Telethon."
Pollina, Amber, "Well Into August."
An insightful play about modern alienation at a psychiatric hospital.
Rees, Jana Lynne, "Dream Child."
A musical production about twin sisters, one of whom is disabled.
Roche, David, "The Church of 80% Sincerity."
Trahan, Julia/dolphin, "Orgasms for Survival,"
"Sexuality connects women throughout history to power, happiness and the ability to thrive despite abominable abuses."
_______________, "Queen of the Girls."
"With biting verbal text and raw, spontaneous movement--tailor fit to my body--I take audiences on an unsentimental journey into a childhood scarred by a near fatal truck accident, hospitalizations, sexual abuse, stigma, requited and unrequited love. We glimpse the world of life after death and childish wisdom, pass by the crotches and misconceptions of many men and women, travel past anger, romantic love and queer identity, until I, am united with myself."
Wade, Cheryl, Marie, "Sassy Girl: Memoirs of a Poster Child Gone Awry."
Walloch, Greg, "White, Disabled Talent."
Yanagisawa, Risa, "The Invisible Room."
A woman, who is dyslexic and lacks self-esteem is guided out of an identity crisis by a mysterious visitor.
"Above Suspicion" (1995)
Once again recent movies are providing many of the most outrageous clichés about disability and using a wheelchair. This one includes lines like "he's just not a wheelchair kind of guy," and "I don't want to live as half-a-man." There are twists with this one though, both in the movie and real life: first, in the movie, Christopher Reeve, best known for roles as Superman, becomes injured while on the job as an extremely efficient policeman, partly through the incompetence of his brother. Reeve discovers his brother and his wife have been having an affair, but rather than confronting them, asks that they kill him. It's a set-up; Reeve arranges everything, including unloaded guns. He then kills them, and it turns out he has recovered, at least partially from paralysis, and can walk with a cane. He has used the wheelchair as a mask to convince everyone that he is now helpless. The real-life irony is that not long after the release of this movie, Reeve was thrown from a horse, and has apparently become a high-level quad. Stay tuned.
"Benny and Joon" (1993)
Poignant film about a brother and sister, who is mentally ill, and unusual man who comes into their life. Not quite retarded, not quite typical, a Buster Keaton clone with sweet personality who is misunderstood by most. He and the sister fall in love. Mental illness is dealt with realistically and empathetically, as are family relationships.
"Best Years of Our Lives," (1946)
The story of three veterans returning from World War II and their chaotic attempts to fit into the world they left. Harold Russell, who lost both hands in the war, plays someone who is trying to fit in despite his disability. He is finally redeemed by his pre-War girlfriend who still loves him. A classic because of the perception of the many varieties of difficulties of post-war life and the realistic treatment of disability.
"Bob Roberts" (1992)
Political satire that finds the protagonist, Bob Roberts, faking an assassination attempt and paralysis in his successful quest for a Pennsylvania Senate seat.
"Born on the Fourth of July," (1989)
Ron Kovic, Vietnam Vet who's paralyzed, and becomes an anti-war protester is portrayed. There is little about what it's like to have a disability, beyond its hopelessness and permanency.
"Butterflies are Free" (1972)
Story of a blind man and a flighty woman, both trying to make it on their own, who move in next door to one another in a San Francisco apartment.
"Children of a Lesser God," (1986)
Based on Mark Medoff's play, which is reputed to deal with issues of deafness in a more sophisticated way, this becomes a love story between a nondisabled teacher of the deaf and a beautiful, but isolated, deaf woman. The woman is played by Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress who won an Oscar for her role in the film.
"Coming Home" (1978)
Emotionally wrenching story of the Vietnam War's effect on people in the U.S.--both those who stayed and those who return. Jane Fonda falls in love with paraplegic Jon Voight, while husband Bruce Dern is at the front. Some of the best scenes occur in the VA Hospital, with soldiers angry and wondering what this war is about.
"Forrest Gump," (1994)
Tom Hanks is Forrest Gump, who's 75 IQ does not stop him from becoming a star athlete, military hero, successful businessman, and husband and father. Most of his worldly success comes from accidents of fate, which is appropriate since he is also constantly intersecting with history, eg Elvis, Bear Bryant, Kennedy, Vietnam, slogans, etc., but his personal interactions and successes come because he respects people for who they are unless they are hurting someone else. As interesting as is the film is the reaction to it, which has ranged from an allegory for our times to an insipid tale.
"Freaks" (1932)
About circus freaks, using the real thing for many of the characters, presented as a horror story full of grotesque anomalies of nature, it is early independent living with a community/culture, love, hate, jealousy, and families, shown in the backdrop of one of the freaks--"a dwarf" who falls for a "big woman" who's only toying with him. The freaks band together.
"Homer and Eddie" (1989)
James Belushi stars as a man who's "slow" from being hit by a baseball as a kid and Whoopi Goldberg as an escaped mental patient with controllable fears and violent streaks. They are on a picaresque journey to see Homer's parents, who had no time or need for him. When they get there the father has died. The two have become friends but Goldberg is shot--ironically, in one of her few non-robbery attempts. Lots of other people with disabilities show up along the way--stutterer, man who thinks he's Jesus, and others.
"I Don't Want to Talk About It" (1994) Spanish
Story of a mother who refuses to let her daughter be different or to recognize her short stature and of an older man who falls in love with the adolescent dwarf, woos her, and then loses her when a circus of dwarves comes to town.
"Johnny Belinda" (1948)
Classic, sensitive, story of "deaf-mute" young girl who is befriended by doctor who knows some sign language and is only person who really communicates with her. Of course, they fall in love.
"Lorenzo's Oil" (1992)
Based on a true story of 2 parents who would not accept doctors' diagnoses that son with ALD, a rare, terminal disease, would die within a short time. Fighting doctors, the ALD Foundation, and pharmacies, the pair discover an oil that neutralizes ALD and is now being used all over the world. Excellent acting and portrayal of parents.
"Lunatics: A Love Story" (1992)
Sweet love story about delusional paranoid man and woman who believes she kills by her presence.
"Mac and Me' (1988)
Notable only for featuring a wheelchair using kid as a wheelchair user.
"Magnificent Obsession" (1935 and 1954)
Story of selfish playboy whose carelessness causes woman to lose vision and his dedication to going to medical school and healing her. Of course, they fall in love.
"Man of a Thousand Faces" (1957)
Stars James Cagney as Lon Chaney, growing up bitter with deaf parents, marrying a disturbed woman and playing series of characters who are crippled physically, most notably in "Phantom of the Opera."
"Man Without a Face" (1993)
Mel Gibson stars as 60s teacher who's been disfigured in car accident which also killed student. He has been convicted of child molestation and secluded himself since. A troubled boy comes to him for tutoring and film follows their friendship, but Gibson is again accused of molestation, primarily because people cannot see beyond his face. Moving drama, realistic reactions to disfigurement.
"Mask" (1985)
Based on the true story of Rocky Dennis, who's face is disfigured by a rare disease and the consequences it brings.
"Monkey Shines" (1988)
Based on a book about a monkey who assists a quadriplegic, it becomes a horror story as the monkey begins to read the mind of the quad, who's bitter and brilliant, and begins acting out the quad's homicidal fantasies.
"Now, Voyager" (1942)
Bette Davis excels as woman with a psychiatric disability who finally adapts with the help of compassionate doctor, but is ever aware of her fragile mental health.
"Nuts" (1987)
Good portrayal of someone who is labeled "mentally ill" and may or may not be.
"Philadelphia" (1994)
A lawyer with AIDS who sues his firm for firing him--suit is based on 504, odd given the late date of the film that ADA is unmentioned--Tom Hanks won Best Actor Oscar in 1994 for his portrayal of the lawyer.
"The Piano" (1993)
Story of a woman, who chose to be mute at the age of 6, abuses she faces and how she speaks and falls in love by playing the piano--critics call it "lyrical," I thought it slow, more focused on abuse than muteness and equating silence with death. Holly Hunter won 1994 Best Actress for her portrayal of woman, Anna Paquin Best Supporting Actress for playing pre-teen daughter and Jane Campion for script writing.
"The Point" (1971)
Singer-songwriter Harry Nillson's classic animated tale about a boy born with a rounded head in a land where everyone and everything has a point. The boy is outcast, but learns that it is what's inside that counts, not what's on the outside. A classic parable for disability.
"Regarding Henry" (1991)
Story of lawyer who has brain injury from bullet wound. Provokes diverse reactions from sappy to nice story of man adapting to a disability. Injury serves to redeem Henry from former savage lifestyle to becoming a nice man.
"Tim" (1979)
Sweet story of young mildly retarded man, his family, and older non-disabled woman who falls in love with him. Tim is integrated in most ways, with exception of schooling, since he couldn't learn, he was withdrawn at 15--but in movie he begins to learn to read.
"The Waterdance" (1992)
Fact-based story of scriptwriter who becomes a paraplegic, and his life in a rehabilitation center.
"What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" (1994)
A slice-of-life family tale, whose family includes an eighteen year old with mental retardation and an obese mother. The juxtaposition of child and mother is interesting; mother is far more handicapped, almost never leaving her house and ashamed of her appearance; son is outgoing and mostly happy.
"On a Roll!" America's only live weekly radio talk show on disability. Gregory A. Smith, Sr., Host/Producer, KFNN Radio 4800 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 759-8916, (602) 241-1540 (FAX).
MUSIC--Tapes/Compact Discs
Coleman, Diane, "Free Our People," (Available from The Schoolhouse, Inc., 1478 Slayton Rd., Cumberland Furnace, TN 37501, 1994) $6.50.
An ADAPT activist sings both the current and past ADAPT theme songs and other songs of disability pride and protest.
Creschendo, Johnny, "Easy Money," (Available from Mouth, 61 Brighton St., Rochester, NY 14607, 1990)
Johnny's first tape of rock'n'roll disability pride songs from England. See also, Crescendo, Johnny and the P.O.P. (Piss on Pity) Squad, "Pride," (Available from Mouth, 61 Brighton St., Rochester, NY 14607, 1993).
Higgins, Mike, "Thank You for Your Application." (Available from Mouth, 61 Brighton St., Rochester, NY 14607, no date).
An English activist in the folkwriter-singer tradition.
Kolb, Elaine, "We Are Everyone," (1187 Campbell Ave. #205, West Haven, CT 06516-2036).
A compact disc compilation of the singer-songwriter, including the 1980s ADAPT theme song, "We Will Ride."
Moyer, Jeff, "Do you see me as an equal?" (Available from Jeff Moyer, Music from the Heart, 670 Radford Dr., Highland Heights, OH 44143-1905, no date).
Described as the resident musician of the 504 sit-in at the Federal Building in San Francisco, Moyer's folk songs are filled with disability lore.
__________, "Good Medicine!" (Available from Music from the Heart, 670 Radford Dr., Highland Heights, OH, 44143-1905), 1994.
__________, "Special Ed Ranger: Jeff Moyer in Concert," (Available from Music from the Heart, 670 Radford Dr., Highland Heights, OH, 44143-1905), 1995.
__________, "We're People First: A Celebration of Diversity," (Available from Music from the Heart, 670 Radford Dr., Highland Heights, OH, 44143-1905), 1995.
Stanton, Ian, "Freewheelin'." (Available from Mouth, 61 Brighton St., Rochester, NY 14607, 1992).
Another English activist in the folkwriter-singer tradition. See also, "The Incredible Shrinking Man." (Available from Mouth, 61 Brighton St., Rochester, NY 14607, 1989).
Wade, Cheryl Marie, "poems from the woman with juice." (Available from CM Wade, 1613 5th St., Berkeley, CA 94710-1714).
Griffith, Bill, Zippy Stories (San Francisco: Last Gasp, 1986).
A compilation of pinhead comics with an introduction explaining how Zippy's creator came up with the idea and a look at the model for the cartoon character.
"Superman: Lost Love," D.C. Comics, New York, NY: Dec. 1987.
The superhero falls in love with a woman who uses a wheelchair.
Tales from the Cripped, Volume One...Wheelchair-Bound to Boil You Alive (Rochester, NY: Free Hand Press, Available from Mouth, 61 Brighton St., Rochester, NY 14607) 1994).
Some of the best comics from the Mouth.
Calendars
Dunning, Tajuana, Kym King, and Laura Smith, "1995 Disability Media Calendar," (Houston: Independent Living Research Utilization, 2323 S. Shepherd, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 70719).
One of a series of ILRU calendars, including photos and a wealth of information about disability events and activities.
"Entering the 1990's...A New Generation," (Berkeley: Center for Independent Living, 1991).
A look at young leaders in the Berkeley area.
"Who says we don't have leaders? People with disabilities moving ahead in 1994," (Louisville: Advocado Press, 1993).
A look at national leaders.
Women's Press, Everywoman's Almanac, 1995. (517 College St., Suite 233, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6G 4A2, 1995).
Women with disabilities fill every month with twelve fascinating personal stories.
Catalog
"The big Mouth Catalog of Publications." (Available from Mouth, 61 Brighton St., Rochester, NY 14607)
Each issue Mouth sells T-shirts, music, books, posters, pendants, and other cultural artifacts.
Poster
"Disabled Women: Hidden from History," developed by Anne Finger.
Limited edition portraits and biographies of Helen Keller, Frida Kahlo, Harriett Tubman, Carrie Buck, and Dorothea Lange.
"Paths to Equality," West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, with poem by Shirley Klein, "To Reverend Martin Luther King."
Poster includes both art and the above poem, which discusses disability in the context of civil rights and Martin Luther King, Jr.
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