[nabs-l] Lives Worth Living disability documentary to air on PBS

[David Andrews]

Bridgit:

It would probably be difficult, if not impossible to name one 
"father" of the disability rights movement.  Each person builds on 
what others before him or her accomplished.  I have heard of Ed 
Roberts, and he certainly did a lot for the Independent Living 
movement, particularly for those in wheelchairs.  Most of this was in 
the 70's.  If tenBroek, and others hadn't done what they did in the 
40's, the IL stuff might not have happened, people wouldn't have 
thought it possible.  That is why I say each of us builds on what 
came before us.  It is impossible to say what caused what etc.

You are right that we tend to be blind-centric in the NFB.  On the 
one hand, it may close us off from other things that we could benefit 
from, and on the other hand, it is part of the reason we have 
accomplished as much as we have for blind persons.

For a brief time in the early 1980's I was heavily involved in an 
Independent Living Center.  I got involved because of some assistance 
they gave me, and I wanted to help them some.  I soon found myself 
being put in the role of being a spokesperson for all disabled 
persons in that area.  I was not comfortable with this -- as I didn't 
know what the problems were for other disabled groups in any detail.

Dave

At 02:28 PM 10/24/2011, you wrote:
>Chris,
>
>I hadn't heard of Ed Roberts either until I was invited to speak for a
>panel on disability awareness a while ago. They showed an interview with
>Roberts from the 60's or 70's; I believe it was an old 60 Minutes
>interview. I was surprised to learn how much this guy accomplished.
>
>Roberts also established the first independent living centers in this
>country. He believed any person with a disability can have independence
>and we have every right to demand that independence.
>
>It's interesting how many of you have coined Dr. Tembroek as the father
>of the disability rights movement because Ed Roberts is often referred
>to as the same. I've done no detailed research on the topic or either
>man, but I think we need to be a bit more open when discussing the
>disability rights movement. A lot of people and various disabilities
>belong to this movement. Blindness is of course important to us, and we
>want the equality and accommodations necessary to be a successful person
>who is blind, but we also should realize that the Federation and it's
>founding fathers are not the end-all-be-all in the disabled community.
>When it comes to blindness, the Federation has probably done the most
>positive work, but other people and entities exist who share similar
>goals and philosophies towards disability.
>
>Roberts was referred to as a "cripple," and because of his disability,
>high schools and colleges didn't want to allow him to graduate or even
>enroll. His disability was considered too severe to accomplish
>requirements necessary for school, and in the long run, many believed it
>wasn't worth it for a person with such a "severe" disability because
>he'd never be able to truly participate in society.
>
>He fought to achieve higher education, and to receive the accommodations
>necessary to accomplish this goal. This is why, upon his acceptance to
>UC Berkley, he pioneered what has become the disability services
>department most colleges now have. In terms of services for blind
>students, I've heard mixed thoughts. Some have had a great experience,
>and others not so much. Not having attended Berkley myself, I can't form
>an opinion, but I can say that apparently Ed Roberts did a lot that has
>helped a lot of disabled students achieve higher education.
>
>Roberts also helped create the World Institute on Disability, an
>organization dedicated to changing life for disabled people that's led
>by disabled people. Here's its mission statement: The mission of the
>World Institute on Disability (WID) in communities and nations worldwide
>is to eliminate barriers to full social integration and increase
>employment, economic security and healthcare for persons living with
>disabilities. WID creates innovative programs and tools, conducts
>research, public education, training and advocacy campaigns; and
>provides technical assistance.
>
>Hmmm... Who does this sound like? Familiar?
>
>I think we need to open our eyes and learn to work with other
>organizations sharing our goals and missions. We do have specific needs
>each respective group pushes individually, but we have a lot in common,
>and perhaps working together on more efforts, truly working together,
>would give us a louder voice to make change.
>
>It's a big world and the Federation isn't the only organization pushing
>progressive, total independence.
>
>For any interested, here's a link to WID's website: http://www.wid.org/
>
>Sincerely,
>Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>Read my blog at:
>http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
>"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
>The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
>Message: 6
>Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:21:18 -0400
>From: Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>
>To: National Association of Blind Students mailing
>         list<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Lives Worth Living disability rights documentary
>         airs    onPBS
>Message-ID: <4ea5665b.8a8bec0a.1b3c.fffff29c at mx.google.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed
>
>Hi Bridgit,
>
>I just learned something! I'd never heard of Ed Roberts until
>now! So, if you think about it, although Roberts wasn't blind
>himself nor was he involved in the Federation (or any other
>blindness organization for that matter,) he did something for us
>by fighting for the right of people with disabilities to travel
>on airplanes (which the Federation also fought for,) and by
>fighting for accomodations to be provided at universities, which
>many of us on this very list are reeping the benefits of every
>day.