Thursday, January 25, 2007

Disability Blog Carnival #7: A Carnival in Three Acts

Welcome to the seventh edition of the Disability Blog Carnival! As the invited themes for this edition were "Disability History" and "Disability in the Arts," I present a three-act carnival, complete with historical costumes, dancing, multimedia, and, as always, plenty of comedy and drama. The overture is beginning, so please take your seats.

ACT I. Historical Dimensions
Tokah at From Where I'm Sitting is thinking about music, hearing, and Beethoven; the Goldfish observes the disparate treatments of "mad" Mary Lamb and James Hadfield; Thirza is considering Charlotte Perkins Gilman's classic, "The Yellow Wallpaper," and Blue is reading about Helen Keller through Georgina Kleege's new book, Blind Rage; and CaptaiN DandY has Martin Luther King Jr. Day observations. In much more recent history, Steven Kuusisto appreciates in memory the brilliant oral interpretations of Scott given by Lance Mannion when Kuusisto was a graduate student; and Imfunnytoo recalls her turn as an actor, in college.

ACT II. Artistic Endeavors
Places, please, dancers! Zephyr reports about a friend's bad experience in ballroom dance lessons; Wheelchair Dancer participated in a school assembly program with West Coast Dance; when art reveals life: Dave Hingsburger describes how a roleplaying exercise in an abuse-prevention workshop turned frightening--it's a post every parent, teacher, and advocate should read.

Intermission:
Calling home on an iPhone? Blind bloggers have been disturbed by Apple's continuing reluctance to make the iPhone accessible to blind users; but Dave Wallace at lifekludger notes that it's also inaccessible to folks who use a stylus or wear gloves--it only responds reliably to the touch of bare fingers. Thinking of a cruise? Candy Harrington says "visitability at sea" is something to think about. Hungry? I suggest one of Sara's kabocha muffins. And get me one too, this carnival is running long. Or maybe just some apples and celery.

ACT III. Multimedia Explorations
Tikvahgirl hails a TV comedy that gets postpartum depression right; Andrea has to explain the mockery of the short in Shrek--to her daughter of short stature; Disgruntled Ladye found inspiration for a new stairs strategy by watching an animated TV show; Estee Klar-Wolfond recommends (and links to) "In My Language," a truly beautiful video by Amanda Baggs; Hershon suggests checking out the French film comedy Paris Comme sur les Roulettes; Ruth reviews the new Netflix service, "Watch It Now," as an attractive alternative for film fans that find DVDs unwieldy; Paul Crichton assesses accessibility of music download services; Noelle Perese is concerned about the lack of captions on a lot of online video content; and Troy finds that, even when he wants to buy all the cool new media gadgets, he's still invisible to customer service reps at the shops. One place you might not want high-tech: in the hospital, where video relays are replacing in-person ASL interpreters. Hmmm.

Author, Author!
Wheelchair Dancer attended a reading in a bookshop: "ain't nuttin' like a crip event to see the power lines of the disabled world," she relates; Faith at Dragon in my Soul describes the joys and frustrations of storywriting in Life without a Plot; Andrea's got a poetical response to the wrong kinds of "congratulations":
There's no need to congratulate me
for having 'bravely overcome'
The insults and artificial obstacles
That people put in my way.

--go read the rest; Amanda at ballastexistenz is also posting her poetry, with some unexpected imagery for depression and joy; meanwhile, Karen likes Mark Droslbaugh's new book, On the Fence: The Hidden World of the Hard of Hearing; Kristina's looking at Stephen Hinshaw's The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change; Kathleen Seidel is commenting about Roy Grinker's Unstrange Minds; Dave Hingsburger was reading a Jo Nesbo novel, The Redbreast, and watching the film Notes on a Scandal--they have something in common, he notes; and Liz Spikol passes along the call for the Brain Storm Poetry Contest.

Farewells:
Gimpy Mumpy
has recently ended her fine blog--a pity to see it go! Lily at Recovering Nicely is also getting out of the blogging business--just when I added her feed to my growing collection. Farewell.

Notice of our next production:
The eighth Disability Blog Carnival will be hosted by Daniel Goldberg at the Medical Humanities blog, posting on February 8. UPDATE: His special theme is CONTACT. Hmmm! Please send your submissions by February 5 through blogcarnival.com, or directly to Daniel. (Are you interested in hosting an edition of the Disability Blog Carnival? We have openings beginning in late March--let me know in this comments thread, and we'll set you up with a date. It's fun, and it's a great way to see what's out there.)

[Images, from the top: Blind bluesman "Sleepy" John Estes, born on this date, 25 January, in 1904; Virginia Woolf, born on this date, 25 January, in 1882]

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bravo! Popcorn and cotton candy for all. My treat!

Kay Olson said...

A truly great collection, Penny. Some important reads in this carnival. I'm so glad you started this!

The Goldfish said...

I'm about to move house but by the end of March I should be settled and recovered from it all. I'd be happy to host another carnival then.

Anonymous said...

Wow ! truly an excellent collection of articles. Thanks penny for all the initiative.

I would like to host the next one, if you permit.

In my blog at latest-wheelchair-news.howtowheelchair.com I post latest news related to disability. Also you will find my ramblings on these issues.

I have not hosted any carnivals before. With a little help from experience people like you, I would like to host a carnival on independent living and financial independence of disabled people.

alex.
How to Wheelchair

David said...

Thanks, Penny. This is wonderful - lots to learn.

David said...

PS - I'm a member of the Penny Richards fan club!

Ruth said...

Great carnival - thanks for all your work on this Penny!

TOMAS said...

I am so happy to find your site and would like to title you my home port. I hope blog Modus Vivendi (the chronicle of art therapy club of people with psychiatric disorders) will be accepted into your lists and will receive there as his readers so the understanding and the help to share love colors with all the world.
Your response will make our day and thus we are eagerly looking forward to your feedback and proposals.
LET HAVE A FELLOWSHIP
Just click on the link http://trustlight.blogspot.com/

Mike Dorn said...

Tomas, Thanks so much for sharing your blog. It looks like you have a good time, even during those long Northern European evenings. MD

Anonymous said...

May I add to the Author, Author section? I recently released my autobiography I'll Do It Myself, in which I intimately share my life to show others cerebral palsy is not a death sentence, but rather a life sentence. I'm currently on a virtual book tour and welcome you to join me on tour at Do It Myself Blog. I'm also looking for bloggers to host tour appearances.

Wheelchair Dancer said...

i love carnivals!!

WCD

Thirza Cuthand said...

Thanks for including me, I'm honoured to be included with so many amazing disability bloggers. I'll have to spend some more time reading these.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you. good job. i have a ed hardy

online store
, I offer great brands at great prices.you may buy the ed hardy womens shirt in discount price

these days .it's good gift for your girl . the best hot item is spyder jackets in the autumn.but some

guy think the cheap columbia

jackets
better.