Join a virtual field trip that can encourage students to study and respond to the arts! Starting June 16, 2015, examples of the positive power of the arts will be on full digital display, courtesy of the 40 Days Digital Arts Festival. This celebration brings together people of all abilities from all over the world through international exchanges of art exhibitions, educational materials, art performances, and professional development materials.
What Is In The 40 Days Festival?
The 40 Days Festival is a repository of materials such as lesson plans, videos, photographs, letters, etc of art and education exchanges. The project is truly diverse:
There are many projects that are school programs that have been exchanged between two countries and have the lesson plans, evaluation materials and samples.
There are projects that are professional art exchanges of music and art in which one country is showcasing the talents of professional artists with disabilities in another country.
There are professional development materials for educators and artists to use that countries have shared with each other and are now accessible to anyone.
There are projects with military ties. One project involves Veterans with PTSD working with refugees on a writing project. Another project involves video and film of individuals’ experiences and memories of war.
There are projects that showcase how different Affiliates run some of our more popular projects such as Young Soloist.
There are projects that are a sharing of culture through the arts.
Be sure to visit the festival website often as a new project will be unveiled daily for the next 40 days.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark civil rights law that promises equal access and equal opportunity -- regardless of ability. The ADA's legacy can be seen everywhere, whether you're using a curb cut as you cross the street, using a sign language to catch every lyric at a concert, or receiving reasonable accommodations to do your most efficient work possible. While the Federal government has led many efforts to implement the ADA to the fullest extent possible, much of the success of the ADA is due to the persistence of long-time state and local disability advocates who have advanced inclusion in their communities.
Despite the many successes of the ADA, non-discrimination, full inclusion, equal opportunity are still not a reality for many individuals with disabilities. Thankfully, there are numerous Americans with disabilities who are working to uphold and expand the spirit of the ADA whether it's getting disability history taught in their colleges or ensuring that social media is accessible. Help identify and honor both long-time local disability rights advocates and young leaders with disabilities who are dedicated to disability advocacy and advancing the legacy of the ADA for the next 25 years.
Nominees may include:
Leaders who advocate for equal employment of people with disabilities
Advocates who work to improve accessible public transit
Citizens who fight for the creation of barrier free programs and public spaces
Community members who create innovative ways to make communication accessible
Leaders who help organize efforts for greater inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education settings
Submit your nominationby midnight Thursday, June 18 (be sure to choose Americans with Disabilities Act in the "Theme of Service" field of the nomination form).
Vendors from various low vision companies will be on hand to show their latest devices in the area of low vision and blindness.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Easter Seals Technology Center, NPC Building 1st floor, 89 South St. Boston, MA 02111
Free
Contact: Cathy Bly 617-226-2634 or cbly@eastersealsma.org for further information.
VSA MA is located in the same building directly across the lobby from Easter Seals Technology Regional Center. Stop by and visit us at the Open Door Gallery.
