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Disability Allyship 26 Day Challenge

About the Challenge

UW Disability Studies Faculty Drs. Heather Evans and Heather Feldner invite you to participate in a Disability Allyship 26-day Challenge. Starting on April 5th, we challenge you to spend 5-20 mins every day for 26 days engaging with an item from a curated set of materials aimed to expand your knowledge of ableism and broaden your perspectives of disability. Participation in a sustained activity like this can help us understand the ways ableism shows up in our personal and professional lives and provide a pathway toward allyship and action.

After completion, we will host an online discussion forum for participants to share their responses and reactions to the Challenge and discuss how we can all move forward with allyship across multiple contexts and environments.

Please register below to receive weekly Challenge emails and to receive the zoom link invite for the online May 8th, 2024 discussion. If you have any questions, concerns, or access needs about the Challenge, please reach out to Heather Evans at hdevans@uw.edu or Heather Feldner at hfeldner@uw.edu with the subject line “26-day Challenge”.

Join the Challenge

Please register for reminders and challenge updates and to receive the zoom link invite for the online May 8th discussion.

register here

Challenge Content

Welcome to the Disability Allyship Challenge

Day 0

Length: 1 page

An Alternative to the Deficit Model of Disability: A Social Model

Day 1: April 5th

Length: 2 minute video

Valuable Bodies

Day 2 & 3: April 6-7th

Length: 19 minute video

Reflection Question

Week 1: April 5-7th

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc

What were your main takeaways from this week’s challenge pieces? 

Inspiration Narratives

Day 4: April 8th

Length: 10 minute video

Independence and Interdependence

Day 5: April 9th

Length: 1 page blog

Disability Justice

Day 6: April 10th

Length: 13 minute video

Disability Assumptions

Day 7: April 11th

Length: 1.5 minute video

Naming Ableism

Day 8: April 12th

Length: 1 page poetry

Crip Camp

Day 9 & 10: April 13-14th

Length: 1 hour 46 minute film

Reflection Questions

Week 2: April 8-14th

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc.

What has resonated the most with you with the challenge pieces this week? What have you been struggling with?

Intersectionality & Disability

Day 11: April 15th

Length: 2 minute video

Black Ableism and Disability Justice

Day 12: April 16th

Length: 14 minute video

Navigating Healthcare as a Trans Disabled Person

Day 13: April 17th

Length: 2 page blog

Ableism & Language

Day 14: April 18th

Length: multiple page blog

Additional resource: “Violence in Language”

The Problem with Disability Simulations

Day 15: April 19th

Length: 1 page blog

Crip Time

Day 16 & 17: April 20th – 21st

Length: 24 minute podcast

Transcript available

Reflection Questions

Week 3: April 15th – 21st

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc.

What are your own beliefs about healthcare rights, language, and simulation? How did the challenge pieces reflect, add to, or challenge your existing views? 

Disability History: The Section 504 Sit-Ins

Day 18: April 22nd

Length: 8 minute video

Content warning: excessive alcohol use

Alternative resource: “Zach Anner & The Quest for the Rainbow Bagel”

History, Policy, & Intellectual Disability

Day 19: April 23rd

Length: 14.5 minute video

CREAT-ing Access

Day 20: April 24th

Length: 20 minute video

Inclusive Arts

Day 21: April 25th

Length: 3 minute video

Accessibility: Video Description 

Inclusive Education

Day 22: April 26th

Length: 15 minute video

Disability & Innovation

Day 23 & 24: April 27-28th

Length: 58 minute film

Note: A UW NetID is required to access the film.

Reflection Question

Week 4: April 22nd – 28th

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc

What was the piece that most resonated with you this week and why?  

Accessible Voting

Day 25: April 29th

Length: 5 videos, 5 minutes each (25 minutes total)

Judy Heumann: The Fight Continues

Day 26: April 30th

Length: 17 minutes

Reflection Questions

Week 5: April 29th – 30th

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc.

Do a little prep for the May 8th group discussion! What do you need or want to know more about? What are some ways you will or would like to continue to engage with disability content, culture, or advocacy?