2022-23 Academic Theme: Disability Visibility
The Annual Academic Theme: An Introduction
Since its inception in 1994, the University of Maine at Augusta theme has brought our communities together for numerous activities and programs. Beginning in 2006, an annual colloquium of faculty members has chosen the theme and a corresponding reading to share with other faculty, students, staff, and the larger community. We feature discussions in and outside of our classes and organize events in order to promote larger conversations about the theme. These events have provided a platform for multiple voices to be heard on such significant topics as health and social justice, immigration, and bioethics.
The UMA Colloquium is pleased to announce that the 2022-23 Academic Theme is Disability Visibility.
The Academic Theme is addressed at Convocation in the fall and then through the spring INT/HON seminar, culminating at the UMA Student Research Conference in April. The UMA Libraries have also put together a LibGuide on Disability Visibility for the UMA community.
Another component of this year’s academic theme is the adoption of a single theme-related book by a number of classes across the curriculum: Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong.
“One in five people in the United States lives with a disability. Some disabilities are visible, others less apparent—but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Now, just in time for the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together this urgent, galvanizing collection of contemporary essays by disabled people.
From Harriet McBryde Johnson’s account of her debate with Peter Singer over her own personhood to original pieces by authors like Keah Brown and Haben Girma; from blog posts, manifestos, and eulogies to Congressional testimonies, and beyond: this anthology gives a glimpse into the rich complexity of the disabled experience, highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of this community. It invites readers to question their own understandings. It celebrates and documents disability culture in the now. It looks to the future and the past with hope and love.” [from publisher]
Thanks to all the faculty colloquium participants this year:
Leigh Alley, Susan Baker, Lisa Botshon (co-chair), Patricia Clark, Marlene Carras, Matt Dube (co-chair), Lester French, Vickie Ireland, Lorien Lake-Corral (co-chair), Betty McCue-Herlihy, Lauren Stark, Tim Surrette, Noel Tague, and Rebecca White.