Registration Opens for UH Diversity and Disability Symposium, Film and Art Exhibit during "Women's History Month," March 3-31, 2001

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Posted: Jan 26, 2001

The University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies announces registrationfor the international symposium, "Diversity and Disability: Reflectionson Women, Culture and Sexuality," slated for March 3-4, 2001 in Honolulu.

Early registration deadline is Feb. 23, at a cost of $85 [includes twomeal receptions and admission to the screening of "Dance Me To My Song"]; For three college credits add: $67. Late registration, add $10.

To register and to arrange accessibility accommodations, contact ValerieShearer at 956-2673 or Martha Guinan at 956-9810. To register online, www.cds.hawaii.edu. The symposiumis a pre event to the 17th annual Pacific Rim Conference on DisabilitiesMarch 4-6 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

The aim of the "Women's History Month" symposium is to exploretopics related to love, sex and intimate relationships in the real worldof women and girls with disabilities. The goal is to promote a broader understandingof the lives of women with disabilities by highlighting important topicsthat impact the lives of all women and girls.

The symposium is open to people, especially women and girls, with disabilities,their family members, special and regular education teachers, advocates,health care providers, supporters of women, cultural and gender diversityand professionals in all fields related to the welfare and education ofwomen and girls and people with disabilities.

Central to the symposium is the screening of the 1998 Cannes Film Festivalfilm selection "Dance Me to My Song." A talented writer who starsin the film, Heather Rose was born with cerebral palsy and depends on apersonal attendant for her day-to-day care. The film's co screenwriter,Ms. Rose will fly from Australia, courtesy of Qantas Airways, to participatein the symposium and the Pacific Rim Conference.

Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) and Qantas Airways are supportersof "Dance Me To My Song" and the symposium, along with the UHPresidents Diversity Initiative. The symposium is supported by diversity,women and disability advocacy organizations across the state and the UHsystem. College credit is available through UH-Manoa Outreach College. "Diversity and Disability: Reflections on Women, Culture and Sexuality"

 

MARCH 3: Presentations, Panel and Roundtable Discussions

Topics:

1. The Impact of Cultural Perceptions on the Sexuality Images of Girlsand Women with Disabilities

2. Sexuality and Public Schools: How to Approach Sexuality in the Classroom

3. How Particular Disabilities Affect Sexuality and Sexuality Education

4. Sexual Pleasure and Reproduction: Teaching Youth about Sexuality

5. Fostering Relationships and Enabling Romance: Some Suggestions

6. Reproduction and Birth Control: Getting the Facts, Getting Them Straight

7. Caretakers: The Impact of Disabilities on Their Intimate Relationshipsand Sexuality

 

MARCH 4: Film Screening, Presentations, Panel and Roundtable Discussions

Topics:

1. Screening: "Dance Me to My Song" (Meet Co-Screenwriter/ActorHeather Rose); Discussion: Film and Other Media Portrayals of Women andGirls with Disabilities

2. Sex, Love, & Relationships in the Real World: Dangers and Triumphsof Girls and Women with Disabilities

3. Sexual Orientation and Self-Image: A Discussion with Women with Disabilitiesand their Partners in Same-Sex and Heterosexual Relationships

4. Expressions of Sexuality: Conventional Lovemaking and Beyond

5. Personal Assistants: Exploring the Boundaries and Taboos of Intimacyin Adult Helping Relationships

 

Diversity and Disability Presenters and Conveners

Amy Agbayani, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Director of SEED

Rhonda Black, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Professor

Pamela Block, Brown University, Professor

Marlene Craven, George Washington University, Self Advocate

Tanis Doe, University of Victoria, Professor, Self Advocate

Cathy Eyre Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Community Educator

Kathy Ferguson, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Professor

Ruth Hsu, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Professor

Bonnie Jones, Orange County, California, Mother, Self Advocate

Kathie O. Kane, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Professor

Jeannie Lum, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Professor

 

Elham McInnis, Kahi Mohala-Honolulu, Therapist, Self Advocate

Beverly Morton, Family Planning of Hawaii, Community Educator

Trina Nahm-Mijo, Hawaii Community College, Professor

Emma Pavich, Hawaii Education Consultant

Carol Plummer, University of Michigan, Professor

Heather Proud, Maui CC Student, Self-Advocate

Susan Rocco, Helen Smalley-Bower, Parents of People w/ Disabilities

Kanalu G. Terry Young, UH-Manoa Hawaiian Studies, Professor, Self Advocate

Pam Vessels, Life Foundation, Minister, Community Educator

Erin Wirth, Sex Abuse Treatment Center-Honolulu, Community Educator

Joanne Yamada, Hawaii Community Foundation, Film Critic, Self Advocate

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"Women's History Month" Calendar At A Glance

March 3: "Diversity and Disability: Reflections on Women, Cultureand Sexuality" symposium; Day 1 at UH-Manoa Campus Center Ballroom,8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To register by mail, contact Valerie Shearer at 956-2673or Martha Guinan at 956-9810. To register online, http://www.cds.hawaii.edu/symposium

March 4: "Diversity and Disability: Reflections on Women, Cultureand Sexuality" symposium; Day 2 at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, 8 a.m. to5:30 p.m., in conjunction with the 17th Annual Pacific Rim Conference onDisabilities.

March 4: "Dance Me To My Song." In Honolulu; 9 a.m. at WaikikiTheatre; contact, Martha Guinan, 956-9810 or guinan@hawaii.edu.Open to the public; ticket donation, $5.

March 7: "Dance Me To My Song." In Hilo, 5 p.m., Palace Theatre,information in Hilo. For Information in Hilo, contact Trina Nahm-Mijo at808/974-7551, or email: nahmmijo@hawaii.eduor Sherry Winkelman at Palace Theatre, p. 934-7010,

March 14-31: Art of Women": "Celebrating the Challenges andSuccesses Hawaii's Women and Girl Artists with Disabilities." Anotherhistory month event, the aim of the exhibit is to raise the level of recognitionand respect for the diversity of artwork created by Hawaii's women and girlartists with disabilities. Organizers seek work in all media from girlsand women artists with disabilities for a show at Honolulu Hale during March2001 Women's History month. Application deadline is February 10, 2001. Formore information about the exhibit and the reception, contact Sally Bartholomewat 395-3317 or email Lori Sakaguchi atlsakaguchi@hanahauoli.org.

March 14: "Art of Women" Exhibit Opening reception: 6 -8 p.m.The public is invited to meet the artists and view their work. The artworkencompassing all creative disciplines and featuring women and girl artistswhose work is first-rate by any standard. The exhibit runs March 14-31 atthe Honolulu Hale, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on King Street. Theevent is supported by the Honolulu County Committees on the Status of Womenand People with Disabilities, ARC, the Contemporary Art Museum and the Universityof Hawaii.