Give thanks by sharing access to ideas and information

Disability doesn’t make you exceptional, but questioning what you think you know about it does. Stella Young

This quote popped to mind this week as I pored through the most recent issue of Access Press. (www.accesspress.org) I remember reading the quote a couple of years ago in an obituary for Stella Young, a physically challenged Australian journalist and advocate for people with disabilities. Her observation may help explain a fact that perplexes me, i.e. why so many people miss the wealth of information and ideas that Access Press generates and every month at free and handy newsstands we pass by every day.

Though this great resource is targeted to the disabilities community, the content is relevant to a broad circle of readers who need to know, to take action and to share with a friend, family member or neighbor. If there’s a missing link in this information chain it’s that too many people just don’t understand the depth and breadth of this robust resource that hides in plain sight on local newsstands or with a click on the keyboard. (http://www.accesspress.org/the-real-story/about/)

With Thanksgiving on my mind, it seems a good time to share some of the treasures found on the pages of Access Press. As a regular reader I know AP as a unique, comprehensive and an untapped community resource – unrealized because folks don’t know what lies within the literal or virtual pages of the monthly journal. The potential readership of AP extends to individuals challenged by physical or psychological barriers, to those who would love to learn and enjoy activities – and have their ideas shared — without nighttime driving, climbing steps, and to those whose eyesight, hearing or stamina are not what they once were, That reach extends to anyone who knows someone who has yet to discover the resources featured in AP.

So, with thanks to Executive Director & Editor-in-Chief Tim Benjamin and to all who create and support AP, what follows are random links to what I gleaned from the November 10, 2016 issue which is still on the newsstands and forever online:

• A highlight of every issue is a sampling of books available through the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network (http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2016/11/10/radio-talking-book-november-2016/)

• Among my favorite features are those that explore the narrative of events, organizations, legislation, programs and projects that illuminate the history of Minnesota’s disabilities community. This month it’s the story of Thompson Hall – a St. Paul landmark you’ve passed thousands of times and always wondered what it is. (http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2016/11/10/history-note-deaf-community-has-a-home-at-thompson-hall/)

• An example of calendar updates are regular updates from the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living that offers skills classes, events and more, all of which are listed on their website. The note in AP includes something I hadn’t seen elsewhere “MCIL activities are “free, accessible and mostly scent-free – the sort of inside scoop readers need to know (mcil-mn.org))

• The events calendar offers a veritable potpourri of opportunities that range from grant possibilities to support groups to policy and advocacy initiatives. http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2016/11/10/accessible-events-november-2016/

There’s much more, but you get the idea – AP is a dependable, accessible, affordable gift to all of us. The unique treasure trove of information and ideas will be of interest to you and to many in your circle who aren’t yet aware of what they’re missing.

Face it, you’ll be looking for conversation starters during the coming holiday season. Those gathered will thank you in the moment for changing the conversation and in the long-term for sharing Access Press.

 

Cow Tipping Press: A mission as unique as the name

One of the most innovative publishing houses in Minnesota today is a small independent press uniquely named Cow Tipping Press. (If you’re a naive city slicker you may have to look up the origin of the branding.)

What’s unique about Cow Tipping Press (cowtippingpress.org) is not just the name, but also the mission: to teach, publish and create awareness of writing by people with developmental disabilities. Much of the focus is actually on “encouraging readers to consider the assets of this rich form of human diversity.” The methods at the Press include training teachers/leaders for advocacy, providing high quality writing classes for adults with developmental disabilities, and publishing the work of the students themselves.

There’s a good introduction to Cow Tipping Press in a recent issue of Twin Cities Daily Planet. In her article citizen journalist Hannah Jones describes the goal of the press to “better educate non-disabled people on how to regard their developmentally disabled not just as people, but as equals, in every sense of the word. It’s not just about ‘helping’ people who have disabilities. It’s about teaching people who don’t.” http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/you-talk-ill-type-cow-tipping-press-offers-new-space-for-writers/)

Two representatives of Cow Tipping Press were interviewed recently for the Voices of Northeast series of video interviews with members of the Northeast Minneapolis “community of the book.” The guests were founder and director Bryan Boyce and writer Vince Fiorilli whose poetry is published by Cow Tipping. That interview will be cablecast on the Metro Cable Channel (date TBA) and eventually archived at the Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Minnesota. *

To better understand the work and role of Tipping Cow Press click on https://issuu.com/cowtippingpress where you will find Vince’s poetry and the creative work of other Tipping Press writers posted online. The written words are greatly enhanced by the beautiful book covers designed by visual artists working with Interact Center for Visual and Performing Artists. (http://www.interactcenter.com)

Bryan, Vince, Angie Balfanz and others from Tipping Cow Press will share their vision and their creative work in a special book release and author reading coming up next week – Tuesday, August 2, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Impact Hub MSP, 250 North 3^rd Street, Suite 500, in downtown Minneapolis. http://minneapolis.impacthub.net/event/cowtipping-press-book-release-author-reading/

Co-sponsor of the book release and reading is Mount Olive Rolling Acres (https://mtolivetrollingacres.org) The event is free and open to the public.

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**(More on the series in earlier posts, including here: https://marytreacy.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/voices-of-northeast-minneapolis-captured-and-shared-on-video/)