MESA, Ariz. – Oct. 13, 2017 – Mesa Community College presents a day of TED-like talks and presentations on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Access Arizona: A TEDx event on Inclusion and Accessibility (TEDxMesaCCRedMountain), hosted by MCC Red Mountain (7110 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa) features an incredible lineup of speakers and topics. Local and international guests will share personal experiences, perspectives and provide a history of society’s views of disability, its progression through the centuries and how we, as humans, will more than likely be part of this group at some time during our life.
This independently produced event, operated under a license from TED, was organized by MCC English faculty member Keith Anderson to create a dialogue and forum to share passions, ideas and experiences focusing on inclusion and accessibility as they pertain to human disabilities. The event is made possible through grants from the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction and the Arizona Humanities. Any view, findings, conclusion, or recommendations expressed during the program to not necessarily represent those of Maricopa Community Colleges or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Professor Anderson’s personal experience watching friends and family members decline precipitously led him to intensively study disability. His research evolved into Disability Studies curriculum (HUM235) recently approved by the Maricopa County Community College District. His desire to educate outside the classroom lead him to pursue the development of this TEDx event on inclusion and accessibility.
"All of us are only temporarily able bodied given the innate fragility of the human body,” said Anderson. “Our entry into the disability community, is virtually inevitable. It may come by way of genetics, disease, injury, or age, but, one way or another, we had best prepare ourselves to join and learn to advocate for the human rights of those who already belong to it."
Speakers and performers include local and national experts from varying backgrounds, experiences and passions wishing to share their personal journeys and discoveries.
Presentations and performances include:
Welcome Song in Arabic by Zeinab Zeitoun, MCC Honors student
Music by MCC Red Mountain faculty members Tara Jones and Keith Anderson, playing the viola and hammered dulcimer, respectively
Welcoming Remarks by Nora Reyes, Ph.D., provost, MCC Red Mountain
Kevin Kling (via Skype) "Bus Strike" -- Professional storyteller, writer, director, and National Public Radio guest commentator, whose expertise pertains to Language and Literature. Supported by grant funding from the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction and the Arizona Humanities, Kevin will be holding a storytelling workshop in Phoenix in person in February 2018, the exact time, date, and location to be announced.
“Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” (TEDx video) by His Holiness Pope Francis.
“The World Needs All Kinds of Minds” (TEDx video) by Temple Grandin
Thomas Kusek, Ph.D. and Bev Maxton, M.A. in Counseling, MCC Disability Resources and Services whose areas of expertise pertain to Mechanical Design and Audio Engineering.
James I. Charlton (via Skype) -- Author of Nothing about Us without Us, Executive Vice President of Access Living in Chicago, disability rights activist, and Research Assistant Professor of Disability and Human Development at UIC, whose areas of expertise pertain to Disability Law and Civic Engagement.
Daniel Baggett -- Storyteller, Stand-Up Comic, Writer, and MCC Student, whose expertise pertains to Language and Literature.
Mindy Scheier -- Founder and President of the Runway of Dreams Foundation, which promotes the design of clothing adapted for children with disabilities. Her areas of expertise pertain to Culture, Gender, Fashion Design, and Identity Studies.
Carrie Basas -- Director at Washington State Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds, former law professor and practicing attorney. Her areas of expertise pertain to Disability Law and Civic Engagement.
Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, Ph.D., Professor of Disability Studies at Emory University, author of Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Arts and Culture, among others, and world-renowned speaker, whose areas of expertise pertain to Language and Literature, Culture, Gender, Identity Studies, and Humanities in Contemporary Issues.
Renu Addlakha, Ph.D. (via Skype) -- Researcher for the Centre for Women’s Development Studies in the sociology of medicine, mental illness and the psychiatric profession, anthropology of infectious diseases, bioethics, and disability studies, editor of Disability Studies in India: Global Discourses, Local Realities, and director of research projects supported by the World Health Organization and the MacArthur Foundation in India. Her areas of expertise pertain particularly to Culture, Gender, and Identity Studies. Supported by grant funding from the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction and the Arizona Humanities, Dr. Addlakha will be giving a talk in Phoenix in person in March 2018, the exact time, date, and location to be announced.
“Let’s Help Refugees Thrive, Not Just Survive” (TEDx video) by Melisse Fleming
“The Ethical Dilemma of Designer Babies” (TEDx video) by Paul Knoepfler
“The Power of Vulnerability” (TEDx video) by Brene Brown
Jenni Gold -- Producer of nineteen films, including the award-winning documentary Cinemability, director of eight films, and writer and editor for seven. Her areas of expertise pertain to Film, Media, and New Media. Note: Ms. Gold will also be presenting in LB300, the Arizona Room, on the third floor of the MCC Southern and Dobson Library on Thurs., Oct. 19, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Theresa Devine, M.F.A. -- Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance, ASU-West Campus. Her areas of expertise pertain to Art History, Painting, Video and Tabletop Game Design and New Media.
Risha, Ph.D. – Arabic instructor at Paradise Valley Community College and Rio Salado College, whose areas of expertise pertain to Linguistics and Literature and Language.
Brett Heising -- Founder and CEO of brettapproved.com, a website for assessing the accessibility of facilities to ease anxiety about travel for persons with disabilities, whose areas of expertise pertain to Business, Public Relations, and Civic Engagement.
Jennifer Longdon -- Writer for LivAbility Magazine, Ability360 Center, and local disability activist, whose expertise pertains to Disability Law and and Civic Engagement.
TEDx is free and open to the public with registration. Register and learn more at mesacc.edu/tedx. Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit mesacc.edu/disability-services to request interpretive services.
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Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
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Arizona Humanities http://www.azhumanities.org -- Mission: Arizona Humanities builds a just and civil society by creating opportunities to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection. Arizona Humanities is a statewide 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the Arizona affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1973, Arizona Humanities has supported public programs that promote understanding of the human experience with cultural, education, and non-profit organizations across Arizona.
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Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for service-learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body that enriches the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC, located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) http://www.ncahlc.org
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.