New Exhibit Spotlights History of Disability Advocacy in Georgia

A new exhibit reflecting on the activities and legacy of disability activists in Georgia is now on display in the History Lives Showcase Gallery at the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries.

Created to highlight the establishment of the Georgia Disability History Archive at the Richard Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, the exhibit opened to coincide with the hosting of the Georgia Disability History Symposium held on the University of Georgia campus on October 23, 2015. The event focused on the history of disability advocacy in the state, including disability rights and justice, de-institutionalization, the power and impact of the Olmstead decision, citizen advocacy and self-advocacy, and what the future holds 25 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A powerful collection of artifacts, documents, and ephemera on display tell the story of Georgia’s disability history. Topics addressed include initiatives for education and awareness to end employment discrimination; housing and transportation accessibility; and challenges facing disabled veterans attempting to receive adequate support and healthcare. The exhibit will remain on display through August 26, 2016.

The archive opened with the collections of a dozen individuals, as well as groups. Those currently open for research include The Eleanor Smith Papers, the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia Records, and the Patricia L. Puckett Papers.

For more information on the Georgia Disability History Alliance, visit:
http://historyofdisability.com/ 

For more information on donating materials to the Georgia Disability History Archive, contact Mat Darby (matdarby@uga.edu) or visit: http://historyofdisability.com/about/disability-history-donations