Helping stuff tomatoes for our veg Thanksgiving. - Stuffed Tomatoes in Gravy.
Menu includes Fusion Biryani, Pineapple Salsa, Mashed Potatoes.
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Collaboration Cooperation - An interview with Disability Rights Activist Judy Heumann
As Heumann points out, while change itself may take time, we cannot accept "no" in the meantime and need to be pushing as hard as possible when fighting for our rights.
It was an honor and privilege to interview UC Berkeley alumna and disability civil rights activist Judy Heumann about the pressing issues of the day and her life of phenomenal work in this field. We could not get to everything of course (there is just too much) so just zoomed in on her Bay Area years. Judy also provided strategies and tips for the current-gen of students and their allies. The key, as she explains in so many different ways, is a phrase I absolutely love - "Collaboration Cooperation."
I was hard-pressed as to what to include (vs leave out) in the 2000 word limit article. She had so much to say.
I am so much in awe because as mentioned in the article, the reason students with "more significant disabilities" (like me) are going to college really is because of the groundbreaking path laid by leaders like Judy in making legislation like IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Ed Act) a reality. She totally and accurately points out that it shows ADA and IDEA at work.
Judy actually asked me during the interview if I felt I benefitted from IDEA and was rather amused at my "yes and no" response. The conflicts over my school district expectations of me did rather mess up my elementary & middle school years (& hence the qualifier).
But Just Think - before IDEA's 1975 precursor (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) came along (thanks to folks like Judy), most of us would not be allowed in public schools at all.
Without all the accommodations legislated by laws that let me access mainstream education, I could not be studying at Berkeley today.
What Parents have to Say
What Parents have to Say
As part of the Autism Awareness week, "Spectrum: Autism at Cal" student org, conducted short interviews with parents of autistics to learn of their experiences.
Here is the first video in this series with Jill Escher, who highlights issues in adulthood, financial security and public benefits. Jill is not just the parent of two non-speaking autistics but also the president of the SF Autism Society, leading efforts to get autism justice.
And a personal friend too. Thank you Jill for the interview
Here is the second interview in our series with Nate Tilton, a fellow Calbear and the parent of a son with autism. Nate is a veteran and Lab Manager at the Berkeley Disability Lab where I have the opportunity to be an RA this sem. One of the community rules in the Lab is "Stimming is Ok" - isn't that amazing!!
As part of the Autism Awareness week, "Spectrum: Autism at Cal" conducted short interviews with parents of autistics to learn of their experiences.
Here is the final interview in our series with Jerry and Kim Hasserjian, parents of fellow Calbear Cole who is a business major. Cole is doing great work in leading the organization and outreach of the Spectrum student org as its current president.
Turkey Run
Turkeys got the memo.
Thankgiving = Turkey Genocide
On the run to the hills away from human predators.
Turkeys Got the Memo: Run for the Hills
Thanksgiving's around, time to pack up
Run to the hills, escape human predators
Avoid turkey genocide, they're go-getters
Turkey Run
Mental Health and Autism @Synchrony
I got to present on the urgent need for Mental Health Standards of Care for Autism at the Synchrony 2019 Conference
Splash@UC Berkeley
Got to teach at a group of High Schoolers for Splash at Berkeley today. Such an amazing experience.
Splash is an academic outreach program that was originally started at MIT. Splash classes are run by Berkeley students on a variety of topics and last anywhere from 1-3 hours. High schoolers are can sign up to attend as many as they want.
But before you can teach Splash, got to attend a teacher training workshop on 10/19
Diwali w Veena
Celebrating Diwali with my Veena Athai and Tilak Atimber
Except she does not want to be called Athai
She's too young she says.
Not the generation of my Dad!!
Except she does not want to be called Athai
She's too young she says.
Not the generation of my Dad!!
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