----- Original Message ----- kept fully inatact, as brand new ---- and for calendaring ------

From: lizthomson@...

To: DisabilityConvention

Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 3:32 AM

Subject: [DisabilityConvention] Invitation to SUPPORT the Disability Pride Parade!!!!!!

To everyone committed to diversity - biodiversity, cultural diversity, please support!!!   From:  Beth Burrows <beb@i...> Date:  Tue May 18, 2004  5:35 pm Subject:  Invitation to SUPPORT the Disability Pride Parade!!!!!!

< < < < < < < < < PLEASE CIRCULATE > > > > > > > > > > > > > < < < < < AND FORGiVE CROSS POSTINGS > > > > > > > > > Dear Friends, We are delighted to share news of an important event -- THE 2004 FIRST ANNUAL DISABILITY PRIDE PARADE!! . . . the first in a continuing series of annual events celebrating the pride, power, and unity of people of disability. To those committed to diversity - biodiversity, cultural diversity, and all - I pass on the invitation we got: Come to Chicago, July 18, for a parade. If you can't make the parade, send a donation or at least pass on the announcement. We were pleased to apply to be co-sponsors of this historic event. Perhaps you would like to do the same. We were hoping to be able to march in their parade. Perhaps you would like to join us. We considered this parade and the pride and affirmation it represents to be essential antidotes to the seductions of human genetic engineering. We recognized that we would be inconsistent with our claims to support diversity if we did not offer our support and solidarity. Perhaps you would agree. Please forward this announcement far and wide so that everyone may know that people of disability have taken up the banner of human rights and celebration of diversity for us all. In the pleasure of inclusion, Beth Burrows President/Director The Edmonds Institute P.S. Read on. Then check out the website: <http://www.disabledandproud.com> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS JULY 2004? COME TO CHICAGO AND BE A PART OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING - THE 2004 FIRST ANNUAL DISABILITY PRIDE PARADE - IT IS TIME TO LEAD ON! At the end of his life, Justin Dart affirmed: "I die in the beautiful belief that the revolution of empowerment will go on. I love you. I'm with you always. LEAD ON! LEAD ON!" On October 6, 1990, Diana Vietz and members of the Disabled Women's Alliance/ Disability Pride Day Coalition held a Disability Pride Day in Boston. Join us in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, July 18, 2004 as we respond to Justin's call and continue the Boston tradition of passion and pride by kicking off THE 2004 INAUGURAL DISABILITY PRIDE PARADE Featuring Yoshiko Dart, Parade Grand Marshal Sunday, July 18, 2004 Chicago, Illinois MISSION: The Disability Pride Parade will: * change the way people think about and define "disability" * break down internalized shame among people with Disabilities * promote the understanding that Disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity that people living with Disabilities can take pride in. PARADE OBJECTIVES: * To organize a fully inclusive, annual event that celebrates and strengthens the pride, power, and unity of people with disabilities, our families, and allies; * To generate national visibility of the Disability community. GRAND MARSHAL: We are extremely honored to announce that Yoshiko Dart will serve as the official Grand Marshal for the parade. Mrs. Dart is a devoted disability rights activist, supporter, and revolutionary whose many years of political involvement in the disability community encompass the major landmarks of the movement. She played a key role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) alongside her husband, the great disability and human rights activist, Justin Dart, whose leadership during his lifetime is the main inspiration for the Disability Pride Parade. Mrs. Dart will lead the parade bearing some of the most important historical icons of our movement: Justin's trademark cowboy hat and boots. PARADE THEME: UNIFIED IN PRIDE! REGISTRATION: The cut-off date for registration is Friday, July 9, 2004 or until all 250 parade positions are filled, whichever comes first! All groups wishing to participate in the parade must submit the required registration form NO LATER THAN Friday, July 9, 2004. There are no registration fees required to participate in the parade this year, but we are asking all participants to make a suggested donation if you can. Parade registration forms are available at: http://www.disabledandproud.com/forms.htm PARADE CO-SPONSORS: (list in formation) Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services Progress Center for Independent Living Mouth Magazine Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago ADAPT Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership Kids As Self-Advocates, Family Voices National Disabled Students Union Open Doors, Inc. Not Dead Yet Forest Park Chapter of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities of Illinois United Cerebral Palsy Detroit National Conference for Community and Justice Detroit American Association of People with Disabilities Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago LIFE Center University of Illinois at Chicago Disabled Students Union University of Florida Union of Students with Disabilities Edmonds Institute FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.disabledandproud.com/parade.htm or call: Disability Pride Parade Information Hotline: For more information about the parade, call the American Association of People with Disabilities (Parade Co-Sponsor) toll free at 800 840-8844 (v/tty) and let them know you are calling about the Disability Pride Parade. Formal Co-Sponsorship: For information on becoming a formal co-sponsor of the Disability Pride Parade, contact Laura Obara, Parade Finance Chair, at lalaot@y... (email), or call 711 and give the relay operator the following phone number: 847-545-1807 (TTY). For Media Inquiries: Contact Janice Stockwell, Parade Media Chair, at 312-253-7000 (voice), 312-253-7002 (tty), or jstockwell@a... (email). To list an event on the official Disability Pride Month Calendar, or to specifically sponsor an event/activity celebrating Disability history, culture, and pride during the week of July 19 - July 26th, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois: Contact Amy Selders, 2004 Disability Pride Parade Planning Committee Program Chairperson, at 312-505-1503 or jdgroupie@y.... Mailing Address: 2004 Disability Pride Parade Planning Committee, Progress Center for Independent Living, c/o Laura Obara, 7521 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130. Members of the 2004 Disability Pride Parade Planning Committee and Sub-Committees: Parade Co-Chairs: Sarah Triano and Amy Selders Sub-Committee Members: Gary Arnold, Monique Williams, Patty Martin, Louis Nese, Laura Obara, Eric Lipp, Theresa Pacione, Vanessa Ehrle, Janice Stockwell, Michael Grice, Kelly Munger, Gwen Jackson, Micah Fialka-Feldman, Gwen Steward, Chakka Stovall, and Gil Selders. ************************************** forwarded by: The Edmonds Institute 20319-92nd Avenue West Edmonds, Washington 98020 USA phone:(001) 425-775-5383 email: beb@i... website:<http://www.edmonds-institute.org>