3 Weekly Disability Reads

Most Sundays, I post links to three things about disability that I read, heard, or viewed over the previous week, with some notes of my own added.

February 14-21, 2021

1. You Don’t Have to Be a Superhero
Brady Gerber, Vulture - February 17, 2021

This is the best overview of how autism has been depicted in popular culture, from Rain Man, through Sheldon Cooper, to the small boom in more sophisticated portrayals on network and streaming TV. It seems that autistic characters have both reflected and shaped the evolution of general understanding of autism. And fortunately, with notable exceptions of course, they seem to be getting better.

2. Smart Ass Cripple: My Bad Case Of Vaccination Envy
Mike Ervin, The Progressive - February 17, 2021

I pretty much feel the same way as Smart Ass Cripple about disability and COVID vaccine access. While I agree in principle that that setting priorities and delaying access to some people is justified, I think a hell of a lot of disabled and chronically ill people, specifically, are being wrongly overlooked. I’ve got an vaccination appointment set for April, and I can handle the wait. But it still feels wrong somehow that I and people like me didn’t get access earlier.

3. U.S. Election Assistance Commission Releases Study On Disability And Voting Accessibility In The 2020 Elections
U.S. Election Assistance Commission - February 17, 2021

I won’t be the only one combing through these findings about voting access trends. Research like this is incredibly important. I hope it continues and expands in future elections.