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

[Jedi]

Dr. tenBroek wrote "The Right to ive in the World and the aw of Torts," 
a document chalenging the concept of contributory neglegence, the idea 
that a blind or otherwise disabled person should stay at home lest the 
get hurt; a bind or otherwise disabled person who ventures out into the 
world is considered neglectful if they got hurt.

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> 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.

> Chris


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