SF Disability Cultural Center Raises the Bar
for onsite and online disability cultural programming
I recently attended the San Francisco Disability Cultural Center’s Open House. In planning for seven years, the newly opened center is light, bright and welcoming. The Center sets a stellar example of how to design spaces for individuals of all ages with disabilities….and for those without disabilities.
The new Center, facing City Hall, is located inside The Kelsey Civic Center, a disability housing development across from City Hall. The Center includes disability cultural programming for both on-site and online participants.
Interior Design
In addition to a general purpose front room with a big screen, comfortable furniture, books and toys for children and local artwork, the Center has a sensory room, including a wall art gallery, that opens onto the front room with cushioned benches lining floor-to-ceiling windows.
A sensory room, also known as a quiet room, is a specifically designed space intended to help individuals regulate their sensory input and manage challenging emotions or behaviors. These rooms are particularly beneficial for individuals with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Source: AI
Who can’t appreciate a sensory room these days! This room, which could also be used as a conversation and workspace, is of value for anyone who could benefit from a quiet environment.
The back wall, lined with glass, opens up to a botanical patio, with accessible seating areas, high ceiling, a space where folks can relax, congregate, and feel safe.
Visiting the Center’s Open House, I was pleased to notice that many of the staff and guests wore masks, a respectful gesture that both prevents the spread of illesses to others and protects oneself. Note: Members of Asian Pacific societies have worn masks for cultural and environmental, including non-medical reasons, since at least the mid 50s. Source: When Should I Wear a Mask?
Advancing the Disability Rights Movement
“As the DCC opens its doors, it is also opening a new chapter in history for the disability rights movement,” said Eli Gelardin, Director of the Office on Disability and Accessibility. “We look forward to partnering with the DCC to advance accessibility, celebrate community, and build a future where disabled people are seen, valued, and included in all aspects of civic life.” Disclaimer: Eli is my son. I am continually learning from my adult children and grandchildren.
A Way I Can Contribute To Disability Culture Programming
As an educator, counselor, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother of individuals with disabilities, I am sharing below links to a curated selection of my free disability culture posts that may be of value for those who plan, or participate in, the SF Disability Center and other disability culture programs and the intersection of aging and disability:
Page to Screen and Screen to Page
How Far Do Parents Need To Travel To Bring Up Children with Autism? (film and book: The Horse Boy, neurodevelopment)
A Rich Life ( “Maudie” film and book: A Tulip in Winter: A Story About Folk Artist Maud Lewis)
No Winners (sci fi Arrival novella and film)
Film & Sound
Connecting with the Person, Not the Label (film: Dear Audrey)
Hear, Here, The Ear (film: Summer Stock)
Documenting a Meaningful Life ("Everyone, one day, will become disabled. We are all getting older." Mark Bookman, documentary film: Mark)
Art of Noise (how design has changed the way we’ve experienced music over the past 100 years; The Disability Visibility Project + Raw Material Podcaster Alice Wong)
Career, Caregiving, Care-Partnering
There’s No More Career (moving beyond drugs and dementia)
Roller Coaster or Wheel of Freedom? (Career, Caregiving, and Careening)
Care Package: No Strings Attached (What do you give someone in pain, physical or emotional)?
When Should I Wear a Mask? (protecting others, as well as oneself)
Moving through Disability
Mobile Communication Devices for Verbally Challenged Adults: (making word recall fun and personal)
Distance Storytime for Entomophiles (Bug Lovers)
Celebrations of Life
Create Your Ideal Environment NOW! (If we want to be "human beings," rather than "human doings," then we need to slow down and reflect upon what is really important to us.)
Before It’s Too Late (Have you ever considered putting together your own Celebration of Life, before it's too late?)
Celebrating Denise’s Life Journey (slides shown at Denise’s Celebration of Life)
Giving Future Generations an Opportunity “To Be Seen, Valued, and Included”
As parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, and caregivers explore with youngsters their interests, let’s give them a “sporting chance” to experience being “good enough,” to be seen valued and included. Source: Paralympics, Here We Come!
Something To Think About
What can you learn from individuals with disabilities?
How can you contribute to empowering individuals with disabilities?