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From Young Leaders to Comedy Night: Events Focus on Empowerment, Education and Entertainment
Thirty-five years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transformed access to public spaces, the DC Public Library is marking this milestone with a series of events during Disability Pride Month. This year, the library is highlighting the power of community, creativity, and leadership among people with disabilities through three major events.
Celebrating Empowerment and Inclusion
The DC Public Library's Disability Pride Month programming focuses on showcasing the diverse experiences and talents of people with disabilities. This year's events are designed to empower, educate, and entertain, creating inclusive spaces where everyone can participate and thrive.
Young Leaders Paving the Way: Empowering the Community
On Tuesday, July 15, the Southwest Neighborhood Library will host "Young Leaders Paving the Way," an emergency preparedness session led by the Disability EmpowHer Network. This session, starting at 5:00 PM, highlights essential safety projects implemented by the leaders in their communities over the last year. The Disability EmpowHer Network is dedicated to empowering girls and women with disabilities through mentoring and skill-building programs.
Camp Ricstar: Film Screening and Fireside Chat
On Saturday, July 26, the library will screen "Camp RicStar," an award-winning documentary about the Eric 'Ricstar' Winter Music Therapy Camp. The screening, starting at 2:00 PM at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, will be followed by a fireside chat with Director Sam McConnell. The documentary follows eight campers as they discover new forms of self-expression and prepare for their "Be-a-Star Showcase" performance.
Disability Pride Comedy Night: A Celebration of Laughter
On Wednesday, July 30, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will host the 4th annual Disability Pride Comedy Night. This event features comedians with disabilities from the DMV area and beyond, including headliner Brittany Carney (Comedy Central, HBO), Bria Beddoe, Auriel Haack, and Lee Swanson. The event begins at 7:00 PM and will provide ASL Interpretation and CART (live captioning). Registration is recommended.
Additional Programming
Beyond these highlighted events, the DC Public Library offers a rich array of family-friendly, cultural, and educational programs throughout Disability Pride Month:
Families can enjoy Story Time for the Spectrum, a series of sensory-friendly storytimes specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum and their families. These sessions, held at neighborhood libraries, create welcoming environments where all children can enjoy literature and learning.
Music lovers can gather at the MLK Music Lounge Kickback on July 10, where live DJ performances will bring community members together through music and social connection. This monthly tradition continues to be a vibrant part of the library's cultural offerings.
For those interested in accessible media, the library will screen "Wicked: The Sing-A-Long Version" with open captions on July 11, making this beloved musical accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons. Additionally, the "Blink" Documentary Screening on July 12 will feature audio description and captions, providing insight into the disability experience.
Creative expression is celebrated through the Disability Pride Zine Workshop on July 17, led by artist Jen White-Johnson. Participants will explore disability identity through artistic creation and personal narrative, guided by White-Johnson's expertise in disability justice and Black feminist disability frameworks.
Technology enthusiasts can explore the latest in smart and assistive technology at the Smart Home Exhibit on July 19. This one-day event, hosted in partnership with the DC Assistive Technology Program, will showcase devices designed to make everyday home activities easier and more accessible. Attendees can get hands-on experience with tech like the Fire TV, Apple iPad, Safewave Band, and Flic Smart Button, with ASL interpretation available throughout the event.
Book lovers can join the Calendars and Clocks Book Club on July 21 to discuss "The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight" by Andrew Leland. This thought-provoking memoir offers a personal and cultural exploration of blindness, providing essential lessons on embracing change and connecting across differences.
Year-Round Accessibility Resources
The Center for Accessibility (C4A) at DC Public Library provides customers with disabilities equal access to library resources and services at all locations. Throughout the year, C4A offers a variety of programs, including classes in American Sign Language (ASL) and Assistive Technology, as well as disability-related library programming. All services are free and open to all.
C4A also maintains a growing collection of materials for check-out, including standard print materials on disability culture and history, and a children's Braille book collection. Current issues of braille magazines for adults, such as Harper's and The New York Times Book Review, are available for on-site reading.
For a complete schedule of events and more information, click here or visit your local Library location.