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Barrier-Free Blog

January Bulletin

1/9/2021

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Happy New Year 2021!
Art of Performing Season II kicks-off this week!

We will spend the next 12 weeks on Zoom following the Inclusive Theater process to create original shows complete with scripts, costumes, music, and more!

There are limited numbers of spaces available in each Company!

 
Click Here to Register for Co. A
Click Here to Register for Co. B
Get out those dancing shoes!
January Jivin' also kicks-off this week!

This short-term commitment class is perfect for new and returning Barrier-Free participants.  Music selections will be decided by the group based on YOUR suggestions! 

No dance experience or solo performances required.

 
Click Here to Register
Lets hangout on Zoom!
This month we'll be working together to solve a NEW virtual escape room - “Unlock Disney World!”
⁣
Zoom Social Clubs are FREE and available to participants of all abilities - new and returning.⁣

 
Click Here to Register
Shop & Support Barrier-Free
Shop Lilly Pulitzer at Montgomery Mall on Sunday, January 10th ALL DAY to have 10% of your purchase donated to Barrier-Free!

This is a store-specific event so orders must be placed with the Montgomery Mall location via phone or in-person.

All orders are able to shipped directly to your home free of charge.

Browse online at LillyPulitzer.com and then call 301-365-3426 to place your order or visit Lauren in-store between 12 - 6pm!

 
Check-Ins with Mike
You may have received a call or text recently from Michael (Mike) Eaton, a veteran Barrier-Free actor and now assistant teaching artist.  Mike has been volunteering his time to reach out and check-in on his Barrier-Free friends to see how they're doing.

These calls help keep our Barrier-Free actors connected while Mike is able to polish and practice his work-place professional skills. 

Thank you Mike for your commitment to your friends and Barrier-Free!
A Message from our Staff
We can't wait to see you all on Zoom to create, express, and achieve together!
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Actor Spotlight - Jenny Laatsch

12/15/2020

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Jenny Laatsch is a veteran Barrier-Free"er" who has performed onstage in over 10 Barrier-Free shows!
​
Today, she gives a first-hand account of her experiences being part of Barrier-Free's inclusive theater companies and classes.

Enjoy the lovely, talented, and always bright, Jenny Laatsch!

View the video interview or read the full transcript below. 

Question 1: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?


​My name is Jenny Laatsch.  I live in New Windsor Maryland and I go to day program.  [I am] thirty-one.  Activities [I like] are bowling and dancing.
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Question 2: When did you become involved in Barrier-Free?


​JENNY: Barrier-Free for 5 years.

INTERVIEWER: Wow, five years!! That's a lot of shows!
​
JENNY: Yeah!
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Rehearsal for 'Cosmic Crime' (2020)

Question 3: What if your favorite part of creating our original shows?


​Pick our character's names and singing!
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Tech rehearsal 'Cosmic Crime' (2020)

Question 4: Do you have a favorite character you've played?


​Princess Pamper.
👑
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Jenny onstage as Princess Pamper in 'Dischord' (2014).

Question 5: How has Barrier-Free impacted your life?


​That it makes me happy and proud.
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Jenny poses with her cast-mate and friend, Nicole (2014)

Question 6: What interests do you have outside of Barrier-Free?


​JENNY: Outside of Barrier-Free, [I like] bowling and dancing.

INTERVIEWER: Awesome!  Recently you've been very into painting too, right?

JENNY: And painting!

INTERVIEWER: Jenny, those paintings you shared, oh my gosh, they are so beautiful!!

JENNY: [with a big smile] Yeah!

INTERVIEWER: Thank you!
​
JENNY: [still smiling] You're welcome!
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JOY in the Time of Coronavirus Class on Zoom (2020)

Question 7: What would you tell someone that is interested in becoming involved in Barrier-Free programs?


​You should sign up and join the fun to make new friends.
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Jenny participating in our International Collaboration with Blue Apple Theatre UK (2020)

Keep Shining Jenny!!

Catch Jenny and her Company A cast mates in the short-film ​Salty Seas premiering LIVE on Youtube & Facebook on Friday, December 18th at 8pm. 

Catch a sneak peek below!

Happy Birthday Jenny!!

Jenny celebrates her birthday on December 22nd and is generously sharing her special day with Barrier-Free!

She has raised $346 on her way to her $1000 goal!


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Click Here to Support Jenny's Fundraiser
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December Bulletin

12/12/2020

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A Peek Inside:
Giving Tuesday
Film Premiere
Barrier-Free Merch Store
Art of Performing Season II
Zoom Holiday Hangout
Today is Giving Tuesday!

#GivingTuesday is an opportunity to uplift non-profits and support their mission by committing a financial gift as part of the kick-off to the holiday season.

Will you commit a Giving Tuesday gift to Barrier-Free this year?

Yes, I'd like to donate now!

Thank you for supporting Barrier-Free this holiday season!

Film Premiere Friday Dec. 18th!
Our Art of Performing Companies have been hard at work creating, rehearsing, and filming their original short films.

These short films will premiere on Friday December 18th at 8pm live on Youtube!

Company A's film Salty Seas will be Act I & Company B's film Family is Family will be Act II.


Barrier-Free Merch Store
In case you missed it!
PLEASE NOTE: T-Shirt orders will be placed to Fam Dog Printing on December 7th.  Shirts will be ready in time for Christmas.

Bags, hats, and jackets are screen printed in-house by Barrier-Free staff. All products are washing machine & dryer safe.

ACT FAST - Most product quantities are extremely limited!

 
Click Here to Shop
Now Enrolling!
Join us for The Art of Performing Season II as we explore the performance trifecta - acting, singing, & dancing!

We will once again be creating an original short film inspired by the ideas and creativity of our actors through improvisational acting work.

 
Enroll Now
Zoom Holiday Hangout
Join us for this FREE event on Zoom to hangout with friends and spread holiday cheer!
 
Click Here to Register
Happy Holidays!
Pictured Above: Barrier-Free Social Clubbers at our Nov. Zoom Hangout
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November Bulletin

11/7/2020

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A Peek Inside:
Greene Turtle Fundraiser
New Class - Register Today
Let's Get Social
Having a Disability Blog
October Fundraising
Dine Out to Support Barrier-Free

Come out to the Greene Turtle on Market St. in Westminster on Tuesday, Nov. 17th to have 20% of your food and drinks donated to Barrier-Free. 

Dine-in and carry-out are eligible for the fundraiser.

Make sure to mention Barrier-Free and show the flyer when ordering or picking up!

Registration Now Open
Our JOY class was such a hit, we are adding a second seasonal offering!

This class is 3 weeks long and will meet Thursdays on Zoom Dec. 3 - 17.


Registration cost includes materials to be mailed to your home.


Class Description:
Join us on Zoom for a class to spread holiday cheer!
Holidays plans get changed or cancelled?  Let’s get together weekly to foster friendships, enjoy Christmas songs, theater and more!


This class is for adults 18+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism.
 
Register Today
November Social Clubs
This month brings two new social club opportunities! 

Our November Zoom Hangout will be Virtual Bingo!  You'll need access to a printer prior to the event in order to print your BINGO card that will be emailed to you. This event is FREE.

On Saturday, November 21st, we will have an in-person social club to Hershey Park!  This social club is strictly limited to 10 participants.  View all of our safety precautions for this event on the online registration page.  Carpooling is available and masks are required for this event.

Only 2 spots remain for Hershey Park!

Click Here to Register for Social Clubs
Fresh off the Press!
Barrier-Free's blogger, Emily Wachter, shares a raw & honest first-hand perspective on life with a disability.

"Having a disability means when I mask my autism I pay for it later.
Having a disability means the employer can decide to pay me less or to not interview me at all based on my application.
Having a disability is worry about if I’ll secure housing when I’m older."

View the full post at
barrierfreemd.com/blog

-----------------------------------

In addition to her work as a blogger, Emily is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is the founder of
Photography through Autism.
$1170 raised in October!
Thank you for helping us keep Barrier-Free programs affordable and accessible for all families by participating in our Virtual 5k & Lauren's Birthday Fundraiser - Happy Birthday to our Executive Director Lauren! 

View all the ways to donate or give back to Barrier-Free here.
Stay Joyful!
Pictured Above: Barrier-Free Joy class participants
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What having a disability means?

10/30/2020

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​This blog post is different from what I normally post. This is just a free form write up on how having multiple disabilities affects my life. 

Having a disability means fighting everyday to prove why you’re worthy of receiving services.

Having a disability means fighting insurance, social security, and medicaid to prove why you need services.

Having a disability means having to explain what it is, what it means to you, and how it affects your life.

Having a disability is answering the same questions over and over again.

Having a disability means I may get judged just for having autism.

Having a disability means I have to protect my health especially in the season of COVID-19. 

Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose your disability to a friend or not.

Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose a disability on a job interview.

Having a disability is deciding when I need to mask my autism and when I don't.

Having a disability means when I mask my autism I pay for it later. 

Having a disability means the employer can decide to pay me less or to not interview me at all based on my application.

Having a disability is worry about if I’ll secure housing when I’m older.

Having a disability is worrying about if I’ll be able to provide for myself when I’m older.

Having a disability means having an ABLE account.

Having a disability means signing over power of attorney at age 18.

Having a disability means my parents have to sit in on IEP meetings through kindergarten to twelfth grade.

Having a disability specifically autism is having scripted language so you don’t stumble on words when I speak.

Having a disability specifically autism means I prefer to have text communication over spoken communication.

Having a disability specifically autism means social communication is exhausting for me.

Having a disability specifically autism means having backup communication like text to speech in case of a meltdown or medical emergency where I’m unable to speak.

Having a disability means I’m unable to drive long distances.

Having a disability means time flies by or it goes super slow.
​
Having a disability means I be hyperfocused on a task for a long period of time.


This blog is also posted on Photography through Autism Blog.
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Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. In addition to autism, Emily has a plethora of other physical and mental conditions, which include: Attention Deficit Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, 3Q29 Deletion Syndrome, Non-classical Diamond Blackfan Anemia, and Deaf in my right ear. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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October Bulletin

10/2/2020

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A Peek Inside:
Register for our Virtual 5k
New Class
Let's Get Social
Staff Announcement
World of Possibilities Disability Expo
Register for our Virtual 5k
We are excited to announce our first-ever Virtual 5k!

This is a virtual race which means you participate from anywhere in the world! 
 

How it works:

  • Register for the race.
  • Complete your 5k in whatever way you prefer - walking, running, biking, etc.!  Make sure to time your race.
  • Return to the virtual results portal by October 31st to input your race time and distance results.
  • Check the mail for your medal!

We hope you'll join us for this awesome Barrier-Free fundraising event!
 
Click Here to Signup
New Class
We've been having so much fun on Zoom, we are adding additional class offerings.

This class is 4 weeks long and will meet Thursdays on Zoom Oct. 15 - Nov. 5.

Class Description:
Feeling a little blue and out-of-sorts lately?  Navigating life in a pandemic can be difficult!  Let’s get together weekly to foster friendships, mindfulness, and joy during these uncertain times.
Register Today
October Social Clubs
This month is FULL of social club opportunities! 

Register for one event or all three, there's certain to be something for everyone.

Our October Zoom Hangout will be Halloween themed!  Feel free to come dressed in a costume!  This event is FREE.

On Friday, October 23 we will have an in-person social club at the Maryland Corn Maze in Gambrill, MD!  This social club is strictly limited to 10 participants and has a low cost of $20.  Carpooling is available and masks are required for this event.

NEW to the social club lineup, we will have a Virtual Gaming with Friends event on Zoom on October 16th!  Nintendo Switch required for this FREE event.

Click Here to Register for Social Clubs
Welcome Back Evan!
On October 12th, Evan will be joining Art of Performing Co. A as an Assistant Teaching Artist!

Evan Darr is a sophomore majoring in psychology at McDaniel College. This will be his second year working with Barrier-Free after serving as an intern for the 2019 - 2020 season.  Evan has always gone above and beyond the call of duty for Barrier-Free by taking on extra responsibilities that include set painting, social club mentoring, and more.  Outside of classes, Evan is a member of the McDaniel tennis team and Alpha Phi Omega - a co-ed service fraternity. In his free time, he likes to hang out with friends and family, watch sports, and listen to some classic rock music. Evan is super excited for his second year working with Barrier-Free!

We look forward to having Evan with us again very soon!
World of Possibilities Disability Expo
Barrier-Free will be a part of the World of Possibilities Disability Expo at Westminster TownMall this weekend!

"The World of Possibilities Disabilities Expos provide an opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge and explore disability related products, services, technology and resources available."

 
Click Here to Learn More
Art of Performing Companies
We are having a blast on Zoom each week at the Art of Performing!

Make sure you're following us on social media to see all the fun.

 
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September Bulletin

9/14/2020

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Season kicks off next week!
Join us on Zoom this fall for an engaging performance arts class.

Company A - 6 spots remain
Company B - 11 spots remain


We currently have actors enrolled from 3 different states!
Click Here to Register
September Social Clubs

Space for this social club is strictly limited to 10 people to ensure group size restrictions are followed. We will follow social distancing procedures during the event.

4 spots remaining!

Currently, masks are not required for outdoor activities in Maryland. Please wear a mask when arriving, but mask-wearing will not be required for the duration of the event specifically while we are playing kickball, etc.

If you are not a fan of kickball, feel free to come just to hang out and see friends, participation in kickball is not required.

Click Here to Register
This month we'll be working together to solve the virtual escape room - “Escaping Magic Kingdom”
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Social Club is available to participants of all abilities - new and returning.⁣
⁣
 The Zoom link will be emailed directly to you prior to our Social Club.⁣
Click Here to Register
New Blog Post
Barrier-Free's blogger Emilyanne Wachter shared some exceptional tips for students with disabilities preparing for the year ahead.

See the full post on the
Barrier-Free blog.
Check-Ins with Mike
You may have received a call recently from Michael (Mike) Eaton, a veteran Barrier-Free actor and now assistant teaching artist.  While COVID-19 has kept us apart, Mike has been diligently calling to check-in on his Barrier-Free friends to see how they're doing and let them know how much they are missed.

These calls help keep our Barrier-Free actors connected while Mike is able to polish and practice his work-place professional skills. 

Thank you Mike for your commitment to your friends and Barrier-Free!
A Message from our Staff
Our staff recently met to plan and prepare for the upcoming season.  We can't wait to see you all on Zoom to create, express, and achieve together!

See full staff bios here.
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Back to School Tips for People with Disabilities

8/28/2020

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Example visual schedule for a student with a disabilityThis is an example of my evening schedule I use in the Tiimo.

1. Ask for or Request your Accommodations. 
This may be the most important thing I talk about in this blog. In public schools, students receive accommodations through a 504 plan or an IEP. For parents whose students still have a 504 plan or an IEP, now is the time to review those plans before the school year begins. In higher learning, universities and community colleges have an ADA office where students set up a meeting and accommodations are given to students. This meeting should be set up a few weeks before the semester starts. Students with disabilities at my community college are responsible for filling out a form with the ADA office every semester to receive accommodations that are on file. At my community college, students are then responsible for giving professors the letter of accommodation on the first day of class. However, due to coronavirus my ADA office has been emailing letters to professors and copying students on the email.  

​2. Routine, Routine, Routine.
With all the changes due to coronavirus, it is important to have a routine. Some schools are teaching executively online while others are using a hybrid model where students are coming in only on certain days. It doesn't have to be a strict one or where every second of the day is scheduled. Important things to include in a routine: wake time and bedtime, mealtimes (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks), work and/or school, homework, hygiene (showering, brushing teeth, etc.), and chores. Not all of these elements need to be included as everyone's needs are different. If your into technology, putting events into a calendar on your phone is a good idea. There are hundreds of apps that have a calendar function in them as well as scheduling apps for people with disabilities. There is also an app called Tiimo specifically designed for people with disabilities to help with schedules. It can be used across multiple devices. More information can be found here: Tiimo website. Choiceworks is another great app used for scheduling for people with disabilities. Choiceworks allows you to create an unlimited amount of schedules. There is a waiting board for people with disabilities to practice waiting skills. It also includes feelings boards and feelings scales. The user is allow to choose an emotion they are feeling and two coping strategies are shown to pick from. More information can be found here: Choiceworks in the App Store.

3.  Get Organized. 
This will vary person to person depending on your needs. Some might need a planner or a checklist. Others might need color coded binders, notebooks, and folders. Some might need a tidy desk space. There are also many apps out there that can function as a planner or to help you plan out your assignments. An app I use to help plan out assignments is iStudiez Pro. iStudiez Pro allows you to create multiple types of schedules, input professor's contact information and office hours, keep track of assignments and tests, calendar integration with third party calendar events, export your schedule to share it with others, and to keep track of your grades and GPA. More information can be found here: iStudiez Pro in the App Store.  

​4. Get Connected. 
​In this time of coronavirus, it's very easy to get lonely. If you're in high school, look into your school clubs. If none interest you consider starting your own. If you are in higher learning, get connected with your school's student life office. They usually have a list of events scheduled throughout the semester. Student life offices are open to student ideas or starting a club of your own. If you are working, look into your local parks and rec. Many community support groups are now online, including Barrier-Free's monthly Zoom Social Clubs!  These social clubs are free to attend and provide opportunities to meet people from all over the world who share some of the struggles you do. Facebook groups, Facebook events, non-profit organizations, and disability are great places to look for social events. 


This is an all inclusive resource. It includes visuals, posters, lesson plans, videos, social stories/narratives, sequences, and communication boards with all things needed to know about coronavirus. 
https://www.smore.com/udqm2-covid-19-preparedness?fbclid=IwAR210UyxysPjKZ73gwpsJ2SI-BWtDwwSZHG3nTR--ARQGSsLu8Q8kfTWg30


Photo of Barrier-Free blogger Emily Wachter, an adult with autism

Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. In addition to autism, Emily has a plethora of other physical and mental conditions, which include: Attention Deficit Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, 3Q29 Deletion Syndrome, Non-classical Diamond Blackfan Anemia, and Deaf in my right ear. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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Let's Perform on Zoom!

8/17/2020

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It's official!  We'll see you on Zoom!
After reviewing the survey responses and recommendations from local and state health officials, Barrier-Free has decided to hold our fall program, "The Art of Performing" via Zoom.
 
Here are some of the survey results from the Actor & Parent Survey that were heavily considered in our decision making.
Some other factors involved in our decision include:
  • Maryland group size restrictions of 10 individuals
  • Considerations with comfort/ability for our actors to wear masks
  • Actors/staff with additional health considerations that pose greater COVID-19 risk
In our survey, we also asked for input regarding an appropriate length for a Zoom class.
Based on survey results and experiences with our summer Actors & Puppeteers class, we have decided that "The Art of Performing" will run for one hour from 6:30 - 7:30pm.

Company A will meet Sept. 14 - Dec. 14 from 6:30 - 7:30 (skipping Nov. 23)
Company B will meet Sept. 16 - Dec. 16 from 6:30 - 7:30 (skipping Nov 25)


Zoom class will incorporate acting, singing, dancing, and social interaction!
So what's next?
  If you're already registered for "The Art of Performing" and you're happy to attend via Zoom - you don't need to do anything.  Further information will be sent in the coming weeks.


  If you're already registered for "The Art of Performing" and you do not want to attend via Zoom, send us an email and we will cancel your registration with a full refund - no questions asked!


 If you're not registered and want to reserve your spot on Zoom now click the appropriate link below:

Company A for adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.
Company B for adults with autism


 If you're not registered and you don't think you or your actor would benefit from Zoom.  We ask you to please give the class a two-week trial period.  Have you seen the movie performed by our actors during "Actors & Puppeteers?"  We can create some amazing work and connections via this online platform.  We promise our class will be engaging and beneficial for actors of all abilities.  See our full COVID-19 refund policy at BarrierFreeMD.com/enroll.


 If you have a dual diagnosis and you're usually enrolled in both Companies, feel free to enroll in both again.  Although both companies will incorporate all performance elements, the final products will be unique for each company.  Please reach out to Britt (brittburr@barrierfreemd.com) with questions about eligibility for dual enrollment.
While our companies will meet via Zoom, we understand the need and desire for in-person interaction.
Barrier-Free plans to hold limited enrollment, low-cost, in-person outdoor social clubs in the months of Sept, Oct, Nov, & Dec (weather permitting).

Our first in-person social club will be Kickball & Lemonade in the park on a Saturday in September.  Stay tuned to your email for more details and registration opportunities soon. 

Virtual social clubs will also continue on a monthly basis.
A Note from our Leaders

To our Barrier-Free Family,

As areas of our society begin to re-open and move forward with safety provisions, please know that the decision to continue our programming through Zoom was not easy.  We want nothing more than to share an artistic space with you in-person where we can act, hug, and perform our hearts out!

We recognize that barriers and health considerations presented to individuals with disabilities are often more profound.  Above all, when making the final decision to remain virtual, we wanted to make sure our actors, staff, and families remain safe and healthy.  While we would love to see everyone in-person in September, we know that making these changes for the present will benefit the greater good in the long-term.

Our mission remains the same, and we are committed to ensuring our programs are engaging and accessible, even via Zoom.  If you or your actor are facing difficulties with navigating a digitally connected world, we would love to work with you to create an individualized plan for success.

Lastly, we need your help!  Please consider sharing this wonderful Zoom opportunity and class flyer with friends near and far.  By hosting class on Zoom, we are breaking down distance barriers and would love to welcome new members!

We appreciate your continued love & support of Barrier-Free's success.

Let's continue to create, express, and achieve together,


       

Britt Burr/Creative Director & Lauren Burr/Executive Director
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"Crip Camp" and the Disability Rights Movement

7/30/2020

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“Nothing about us, without us.”
"The 30 anniversary of the signing of the American with Disabilities Act was a few days ago, July 26th, 2020. The ADA was signed July 26, 1990. The ADA put simply is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The ADA includes those with physical and mental disabilities. It requires reasonable accommodations be provided to those employees with disabilities as well as accessibility to public places. The ADA is often referred to as “ The Emancipation of the Disabled.”

Crip Camp is a documentary film about Camp Jened, a camp where non disabled and disabled people came together in a care free environment. The film shows the perspectives of people with lived disabled experiences. “Crip Camp” also shows disability history in the way our disability ancestors fought for disability rights like they did for civil rights. Many people with and without disabilities are unaware of disability history. People with disabilities are often discriminated against, unable to access public places, and isolated from others. This happened both in history and now.

"Ugly Laws" and State Institutions 
Many cities passed "ugly laws" which made it illegal for any person diseased, mutilated , or disfigured were not allowed to show themselves in the public view. Many people with disabilities were institutionalized because their family was embarrassed of them and/or couldn't take care of them. These institutions were state run, had large barbed wire fences, and were forgotten about in society. 

Passage of the Civil Rights Act 
The passage of the civil rights act laid the groundwork for disability rights legislation. 

Center for Independence Living 
The first Center for Independent Living is formed in Berkley, California in 1972. It is the first center to be recognized for independent living. 

Passage of the Rehabilitation Act 
In 1973, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed. The law states, “No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States, shall solely by reason of his handicap, be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” This law was intended to prohibit discrimination in federally funded programs and services. 
​
Passage of Education for All Handicapped Act 
In 1975, the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Act permitted disabled children to be integrated into the public school environment. This act was later renamed into Individuals with Disabilities Act or IDEA. In the same year, the supreme court ruled 
 that people could not be held against their will, or placed in a psychiatric hospital institution, unless they are proven to be a threat to themselves or to others. In the court case named O’Connor v. Donaldson. 
black and white 2 young people in wheelchairs sit inside the federal building while 1 older person in a wheelchair looks in.
Section 504 Sit-ins
In 1977, protesters and disability activists in ten cities demonstrations and occupants of the federal department of Health Education and Welfare or HEW to force the Carter Administration to issue regulations to implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The longest demonstration was held in San Francisco, California it lasted a month long. On April 28, 1977, HEW secretary Joseph Califano signed the regulation. 
​

Passage of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act 
In 1980, congress passes the civil rights of Institutionalized Persons Act which allows the justice department to file suit if a person institutionalized rights were violated. ​
black and white A man and a women with disabilities abandon their mobility aids to climb up the Capitol steps.
People with disabilities climbing up the Capitol steps.
Crip Crawl
The Capitol Crawl or Crip Crawl was a protest of more than 1,000 disabled people who crawled up the Capitol steps. Jennifer Keelan, an eight year old with cerebral palsy said " I'll take all night if I have to." The Capital Crawl gained much attention and political pressure. This lead Congress passed the ADA within four months and George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law July 26, 1990. 

​Why is it important to know disability history? 

I think it's important to raise awareness around these events in history because not many people with or without disabilities have knowledge of what happened. Also, if we as people with disabilities don't understand our history we are bound to repeat it. 
​
Now and Moving Forward
  • The United States still houses people with disabilities in institutions like nursing homes, group homes, and prisons. These places have been deeply impacted due to COVID and is a way to still warehouse people with disabilities.
  • The United States needs to ratify the international treaty of the convention for people with disabilities also known as CRPD. The National Council on Disability states, “[t]he CRPD is a vital framework for creating legislation and policies around the works that embraces the rights and dignity of all people with disabilities.” 
  • Kids with disabilities are still discriminated against and segregated from other students. If you go into any middle school or high school, you are likely to find students with disabilities being taught in a separate classroom away from students their own age. This sets students up to have difficulties with neurotypical children. Schools are good at early intervention for kids with disabilities. Schools lack preparing students with disabilities, especially those in the mainstream preparing them for going to college and obtaining a job.
  • Obtaining serves such as Medicaid and Social Security Income should be easier to obtain. People with disabilities are on waiting lists for a long time to obtain these services. People with disabilities have to fight the system if they are denied. People with disabilities may have to hire advocates or lawyers to help them fight the system.
  • Please go out and vote for people in power who support issues that are important to you. The Arc put out a resource for people with disabilities to educate them on the election. This resource can be found here: http://thearc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Policy_Issues_Fact_Sheet_ENGLISH.pdf
​I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in this topic to go watch Crip Camp on Netflix. It is well worth the time you put in to watch it. The video below covers much of the history discussed in this blog. This documentary was created by a student in high school and has won awards.

Sources:
https://sailhelps.org/a-brief-timeline-of-the-history-of-disabilities-the-shameful-treatment-of-people-with-disabilities/
​https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/resources/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/movies/crip-camp-review.html
https://www.disabilityrightspa.org/newsroom/advocacy-matters-convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/#:~:text=The%20disability%20advocacy%20community%20refers%20to%20the%20international,are%20non-discrimination%2C%20inclusion%20in%20society%2C%20equality%2C%20and%20access.
https://ncd.gov/policy/crpd
This blog is also posted on Photography through Autism Blog.

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Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a healthcare social worker. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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