Longtime disability rights activist, Frieda Zames, dies

Frieda Zames, longtime New York City disability activist and co-author of The Disability Rights Movement: From Charity to Confrontation, died June 16, 2005.

Zames, 72, and her book co-author and sister, Doris Zames Fleischer, presented at Society for Disability Studies (SDS) meetings several times and wrote numerous essays on disability rights topics. Their essay on the film Million Dollar Baby appears in this summer issue of DSQ. The sisters are members of DSQ's Editorial Board.

Anne Finger, SDS Board President 2004-05, explained the devastating loss Frieda Zames' death is to the disability community.

"Frieda was a powerful spirit, unflinching in her dedication to making the world accessible," Finger said. "I know we all mourn her passing, and extend our condolences to her family and fellow activists."

Zames was a founder, former president, and continuing vital member of Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York, an advocacy group. She was a vice president of the organization at the time of her death.

Zames, who had had childhood polio, used a motorized scooter, and through her work with Disabled in Action improved wheelchair access throughout New York City. Her advocacy work forced city buses to become wheelchair-accessible in the 1980s.

She retired as a mathematics professor from New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, N.J. Zames held an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and a doctorate in mathematics from New York University.

She and her sister wrote their highly regarded book about the disability rights movement in 2001 for the Temple University Press.

Her longtime friend, Anne Emerman, explained the significance of the book: "Frieda's book with her sister Doris, The Disability Rights Movement - From Charity to Confrontation is a testimony to the depth of her knowledge, commitment and the richness of her life journey and the many people she engaged on the path. Many of the victories in the disability civil rights movement we all now enjoy can be directly attributed to Frieda. A petite woman, she was a giant in our midst, truly a national and local treasure.

"We celebrate Frieda and her life of service and advocacy. We have all experienced her love, kindness, generosity, her spirit, humility, vision and quiet yet forceful strength," Emerman said.

The cause of her death is unknown but she had recently had an appendectomy. A funeral was held Sunday, June 19, 2005 at Riverside Chapel in New York.

She is survived by her sister; and her partner of more than 30 years, Michael Imperiale.

A memorial Web site about Frieda Zames can be found at: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3jqrg/.

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Sight Lines: An American Studies Conference on the Culture and Science of Vision
September 23-24, 2005
Worcester, Massachusetts

Presented by the New England American Studies Association, American Antiquarian Society and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, this conference brings together new work in history, cultural studies, art and film studies, literary studies, and the growing field of science studies on the pivotal issue of vision. The goal is to gain a fuller picture of vision from start to finish; from the biology and neurobiology of vision, to the cultural factors that frame what is seen, and, finally, to the art, maps, and constructs that result from those views. What role does vision play in organizing American culture along lines of race and class? How does a cultural, philosophical, and technical understanding of sight help us to understand representations of the seen and unseen in American history and culture?

For more information contact:
Sarah Luria, English Department
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA 01610
sluria@holycross.edu.

Erasing the Margins: Researching Disabilities in Higher Education
October 5-7, 2005
Johannesburg, South Africa

This conference is designed to bring together academics and researchers in a forum that will cultivate inquiry and critical thinking and foster an understanding of a previously marginalized group of people seeking a tertiary education. Must register by September 1, 2005. To be held in Sturrock Park, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

For more information contact:
Jenny Taylor
Foundation of Tertiary Institutions of the Northern Metropolis
PO Box 418
Wits 2050 Gauteng South Africa
Email: jenny@fotim.ac.za

Or visit the website: http://www.fotim.ac.za.

23rd Annual Closing the Gap: Computer Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation
October 20-22, 2005
Minneapolis, MN USA

The 2005 Conference builds on a tradition of providing a comprehensive examination of the most current uses of technology by persons with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.

Topics will cover a broad spectrum of technology as it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation, vocation, and independent living. People with disabilities, special educators, rehabilitation professionals, administrators, service/care providers, personnel managers, government officials, and hardware/software developers will share their experiences and insights at what has become known as the most significant networking experience of the year -- the annual Closing The Gap Conference.

For more information: http://www.closingthegap.com

White House Conference on Aging 2005
October 23-26, 2005
Washington D.C., USA

The White House Conference on Aging occurs once a decade to make aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence and economic security of current and future generations of older persons.

The 2005 White House Conference on Aging occurs as the first wave of the baby boom generation prepares for retirement, creating an important opportunity to creatively assess aging in America and improve the lives of older Americans.

For more information: http://www.whcoa.gov.

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MLA adds Division on Disability Studies

The Modern Language Association (MLA) has approved a Division on Disability Studies, which was formerly a discussion group.

As a Division, the group will be able to schedule more sessions at future MLA national conventions, and therefore have an even larger presence at the conventions.

MLA has 30,000 members in 100 countries and hosts programs for English and foreign language teachers. It holds its annual convention in late December.

For more information on the Division on Disability Studies, contact Petra Kuppers at pkuppers@bryant.edu.

Online Disability Experts Database Help With Compliance For Disability Access

From PublicTechnology.net
Posted Mar 22, 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2642

A new online tool to help organizations meet their disability access needs is launched yesterday by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Providing online access to a database of over 200 disability trainers, auditors and consultants who have an interest or experience in working with museums, galleries, libraries and archives, Disability Experts is the first database of its kind in the cultural sector - and the latest step towards reducing access barriers in our heritage organizations.

The database is rich in information to help heritage organizations find support and advice on all disability issues; available at the touch of a button. The listings service gives contact information for the disability experts as well as details of professional experience, type of work undertaken and previous experience. The database can be searched by keyword, region, organization and project type.

Marcus Weisen, MLA Health and Disability Adviser, said: "Disability Experts marries the needs of heritage organizations with the expertise of disability access specialists in their area. If you want to find a deaf awareness trainer or disability equality trainer who works close to your institution, or to prepare a list of access auditors and consultants for your audit tendering process, Disability Experts answers all such questions.

"Staff training and access audits are among the most effective ways for museums, libraries and archives to develop equal access for disabled people. They are also an effective way of meeting the 'anticipatory duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (1985)'. Disability Experts is a listings service that makes it easier for heritage institutions to reach this goal."

Disability Experts builds on MLA's award winning Disability Portfolio, which gives invaluable guidance and practical advice on how to overcome barriers and follow good practice. The 12 part series describes best practice standards in selecting consultants - including clarity of brief, tendering process and interview process.

Announcing the Launch of the "Legacies of T4" Website

In the summer of 2004, a group of Canadian and U.S. disability studies scholars attended a month long summer seminar in Potsdam, Germany, engaged in the topic, "Disability Studies and the Legacies of Eugenics,"

To assess this legacy, the seminar contemplated the development of German Disability Studies and its critique of practices in modern day disability arenas such as education, medicine, rehabilitation, genetics, and bio-ethics.

The program included visits to contemporary memorial sites, archives, and former T-4 locations. In addition to seminar sessions, public lectures by contemporary scholars in German disability studies were offered as featured events, and open to the public, as a part of the Einstein Forum lecture series. For an in-depth look at the results of the seminar, please visit: http://www.uic.edu/depts/idhd/DSGermany/.