Weekly Reading List

Since I took a couple of weeks off from blogging, this week's reading list is playing catch-up.

Will Disability Rights Have a Permanent Place in the White House?
David M. Perry, Pacific Standard Magazine - January 26, 2017

The title question never really comes up in the article, but it's the question you want to ask after reading it. The article is actually a lovely talk with Maria Town, who had a job in the Obama White House specifically dedicated to the disability community. I'm feeling very nostalgic about the Obama Administration right now, but I think even if you didn't like him, if you're a disabled American, you almost have to have felt good that there was a smart disabled person working in the White House on disability issues. I think there should always be someone in that job in the White House, even though I can't at present begin to imagine who that might be or how it would work out in the Trump Administration.

Watch the Appointments
Ari Ne'eman, Sometimes a Lion - January 22, 2017

I'll make this short. If you want some expert analysis of the actual political landscape facing the disability community right now ... and you want it to be sober and non-panicky, but also realistic ... read this. Every time Ari writes or speaks about disability issues, he covers lots of familiar territory, but adding an extra layer of depth that doesn't usually make it through into disability activism Tweets and Facebook posts.

Why I've Given Up On Being Healthy
Jody Allard, BuzzFeed News - January 24, 2017

If I include an article on this list it usually means I like it, but this really is one of the best articles on disability I have ever seen in a mainstream publication. It's an account of one person's journey with disability, but almost by accident it ends up being

I Don't Speak for Laura
George Estreich, New York Times - January 27, 2017

There's so much standard smarm and sentimentality from parents writing about their disabled kids ... so when a parent shows a modicum of self-reflection and humility on the subject, it's gold to me. That sounds like I'm minimizing this piece, but actually I think it's really good. This belongs on the list of Essential Reading for "Special Needs Parents."

Take Me As I Am: Dating and Disability Etiquette
Vilissa Thompson, Easterseals Thrive

Vilissa is one of the best disability bloggers / writers out there, but she usually writes about somewhat heavier social justice topics. So it's great to read her thoughts on dating and disability. I wish someone had given me something like this when I was a teenager, wondering whether dating and relationship topics were even applicable to "someone like me." Add this to the "Essential Reading for Youth with Disabilities" list.