Blog 1
The social model – how the world disables people – rather than something that is wrong with people
Sonia Renee Taylor in her book “The body is not an apology” presents a ladder of hierarchies – and how the world enables some bodies to thrive over others.
First one shows what disability means at UAL and the support students receive
2) Christine sun. Kim
The physicality of Sound and how sound looks and feels rather than solely what we hear Made me think about how we interpret and understand listening and – if we listen with all our sense or just our eyes. I also became interested in the work at Glasgow Royal Conservatoire – which has created the first performance course for D/deaf performers:
The BA Performance in British Sign Language and English – https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ba-performance/
Finally the SUBPAC wearable chest plates physicalise sound through vibrations and allow people to feel sound through impact. Deafeinitely theatre have been working with these to explore dance for D/deaf performers.
https://www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk/richard-france
All really interesting creative responses to offer positive action and prioritise disability/D/deaf art.
3) Disability too white hashtag – questions the lack of representation in the presentation of disabled people and voices in the media. The lack of representation can mean that some disabled people of colour feel/are unseen. In an industry where there are already a lack of roles/parts for disabled performers this then offers even greater discrimination to disabled POC.
4) Deaf-accessibility for spoonies: lessons from touring Eve and Mary Are Having Coffee while chronically ill
A theatre show that was touring – disabled artist considered accessibility every step of the way for audiences but neglected own needs, mental health and pain.
Often disabled people are represented as white and therefore we fail to see and understand POC or other intersectionalities
It encourages us to ask for what we need and consider our own needs. It also shines a spotlight on invisible disability and how we may not be considering this. I was thinking about my work with disabled artists and the culture of ‘checking in’ with the artists to see how they are working and how I can make work accessible with them – rather than assuming I know what someone may need. This is best practice in general and encourages us to collaborate and open discourse on how to work together.
Disabled people the voice of many – a brilliant collection of many intersectional disabled people of colour. Looking into their viewpoints and perspectives, experiences and artworks.
My reflections – link to working on Paralympics with a cast of disabled people
My research on WHAT DO YOU SEE? For The PappyShow and then working with Shaun Fallows – who wrote ten disability commandments – “commandment ten – Thou shalt not attend a one day training and believe you know my life”
Inclusive practice is better for everyone
Ask people what they need
Provide options
Person centred approach