Monthly Reading List

The best things I found about disability on the internet in June, 2018:

Ban Inaccessibility, Not Plastic Straws
Karin Hitselberger, Rooted In Rights - June 7, 2018

I admit that I am still ambivalent about the straw ban controversy within the disability community. Obviously, disabled people who need plastic straws and can’t use other kinds have an important concern that needs to be taken into account, and is instead either ignored or outright disparaged by straw ban supporters. Yet, I do think that reducing plastic straw usage overall is probably a good idea. That’s why I appreciate this article, which offers a reasonable compromise that I think could end up doing most of what straw bands are intended to do.

On Arrested Development, Disability Is a Joke
Inkoo Kang, Slate.com - June 8, 2018

When I started the Disability.TV podcast, this is the kind of discussion I wanted to have. I discovered that I’m not that good at podcasting … more specifically, not good at speaking off the cuff. It also felt like discussions about TV and movies in disability culture were pretty binary. Or more accurately, singularly focused on identifying ableist offenses and giving out demerits for them. I certainly think TV continues to earn demerits for ableism, and certainly did when Arrested Development came out, but I like how this piece engages the idea that at different times, imperfect representations may be better than none at all, while probably not deserving a permanent pass.

Jesse Thorn Pays Tribute to Ed Roberts, A Pioneering Leader in the Disability Rights Movement
Bullseye With Jesse Thorn - June 4, 2018

I’m a regular listener to Maximum Fun podcasts, which are overseen by Jesse Thorn. And I like Jesse a lot in his role as “Bailiff” for the Judge John Hodgman podcast. I’ve listened to his NPR show Bullseye a few times too, though I’m not a regular. But when Jesse mentioned having talked about Ed Roberts in a recent Bullseye episode, it took me by surprise and I went right to it. What a lovely tribute. Jesse is personal and admiring, but doesn’t forget to explain why Ed Roberts means something to so many people who never met him. This is an essential component of any introduction to the Disability Rights and Independent Living movements.

Please Don't Call My Autistic Son "Buddy."
Susan Senator, Psychology Today - June 14, 2018

One of these days I’m going to make a definitive list of things disabled people think and feel that are really hard to explain to non-disabled people. Condescension is one of them, despite the fact that once it is directed to you, the problem with it is dead obvious. This article explains it pretty well.

Iron Man
Mike Ervin, Smart Ass Cripple - June 19, 2018

I turned 51 this June. I don’t know if I’m qualified for any senior discounts yet, but this piece sure resonated with me regardless.