Disability Awareness Week features events through May 17
Disability Awareness Week is May 12 to 17 at Western Washington University and in the Bellingham community.
Monday, May 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Underground Coffeehouse: Out of the Ashes Performance
Out of the Ashes is an interactive music therapy program that has proven to provide a positive and profound life-changing experience for all its participants. It provides a creative expression, a deeper sense of self-esteem, positive social behavior skills, vocational placement, a renewed sense of joy in living and a more well-rounded balance in life. Out of the Ashes works with agencies, individuals and families to spread the word that music speaks to everyone.
Tuesday, May 13, 6 to 8 p.m., AIC West Room 210: Harilyn Rousso
Harilyn Rousso is a disability activist and feminist. She will be coming to WWU from New York City to do a reading of her memoir "Don't Call Me Inspitational: A Disabled Feminist Talks Back". This will be followed by a Q&A as well as a book signing afterwards.
Harilyn Rousso is a woman with cerebral palsy and one of the "founding mothers" of the U.S. disabled women's movement. She has been involved in the disability rights and women's movement for more than 25 years. Confronting disability and gender stereotypes on a daily basis—from "You're so inspirational!" to "What a shame! Such a pretty girl!"— Harilyn describes what it takes to overcome disability prejudice -not disability- and how to lead a wise, witty, outrageous life, disability and all.
Thursday, May 15, 6 to 8 p.m., VU565A: Art Therapy through Art Journaling
Art journaling is a holistic journaling process that combines the written language and the visual language to give a greater breadth of expression and understanding. It is the combination of art making and journaling with the intention to create greater insight and understanding of the self and others. Art journaling is about expression, both written and visual, of emotions and thoughts; it is a space for questions that may not have answers, a place for thoughts that may otherwise not have a home.
Come experience the effectiveness of journaling as a therapeutic and meditative tool!
Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Civic Stadium in Bellingham: Bellingham Parks & Rec: Adaptive Cycle Expo
This community event is brought to you by the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department. The Outdoors for All Foundation will be bringing a small fleet of adaptive cycles that will allow people of all abilities to enjoy cycling. Try out the unique bikes, which include handcycles for riders with limited or no leg movement; 3 and 4 wheel cycles for those who need more stability; and tandem cycles for those who want a guide while cycling. The Outdoors for All staff are skilled at selecting the right type of cycle to meet your needs. All members of the community are welcome.
The Disability Outreach Center will lead an excursion to this community event located at the Bellingham Civic Stadium. Transportation will be provided, and it will depart from the Viking Union at 10:30 AM.
The DOC will lead an excursion to this community event. Accessible transportation will be departing from the Viking Union at 10:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Cristina Rodríguez at as.disability@wwu.edu.