U of M and Illusion Theater Collaborate to Change Public Perspectives of People with Disabilities
“In the Eye of the Beholder: Celebrating the Richness of Human Diversity” encourages public to reexamine how they view people with disabilities
| WHAT: |
“In the Eye of the Beholder: Celebrating the Richness of Human Diversity” features two programs focusing on the unique perspectives and beauty of people with disabilities. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Bioethics, the Institute for Human Genetics, and Illusion Theater, each program is open to the public and will include a presentation, reception, and photograph exhibit by Rick Guidotti, founder of the arts organization Positive Exposure. The program at Illusion Theater will also include excerpts from Illusion Theater’s play Autistic License in which parents describe the journey of a family living with autism. |
| WHY: |
Both “In the Eye of the Beholder” and Autistic License encourage participants to engage in dialogue surrounding questions such as: What does a genetic disease look like? How do we define disability? How do we form our perceptions of disease or disability? These questions are faced not only by individuals, families, and health care practitioners, but increasingly by society as a whole. |
| WHEN: |
Thursday, April 24: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Illusion Theater
528 Hennepin Ave., 8th floor
Minneapolis
Friday, April 25: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Mayo Auditorium, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Campus
425 Delaware Street S.E.
Minneapolis
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| WHO: |
Rick Guidotti is the founder of Positive Exposure, a non-profit organization that provides the opportunity for audiences to challenge the stigma associated with difference by celebrating the beauty and richness of human diversity. A unique partnership between visual arts, genetics, mental health and human rights, Positive Exposure is driven by Guidotti, an internationally renowned fashion photographer. Guidotti has made it his mission to use his photography skills to change the way albinism is seen in Africa and around the world.
Stacey Dinner-Levin is playwright of Autistic License and mother of an autistic son. Her husband, Michael Levin, plays the role of their son in the production. Both will be present at the event to discuss how the performances of this play have begun to alter people’s perceptions of autism.
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The award wining play Autistic License offers a look at the tragic, surreal, and funny world of a family living with autism. In Minnesota, where one in 105 children is diagnosed with autism, families are increasingly confronted with its mistaken public perceptions.
The events are free and open to the public. For registration and information, visit www.bioethics.umn.edu or contact the Center for Bioethics at 612-624-9440; e-mail bioethx@umn.edu.
Funded by a grant from the University of Minnesota Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences by funds received through the Presidential Interdisciplinary Initiative Process. In October 2003, President Robert Bruininks named one of eight Presidential Interdisciplinary Initiatives.
In commemoration of April as Autism Awareness Month, productions of Autistic License will be performed throughout the month around the Twin Cities and suburbs. For information regarding show times and venues, please visit http://www.illusiontheater.org/season/special/.
The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.
Contact: Jenna Langer, Academic Health Center, 612-695-1217, lang0712@umn.edu
Shannon Buchda, Illusion Theater, 612-339-4944, sbuchda@illusiontheater.org
Candace Holmbo, Center for Bioethics, 612-624-9967, holmb006@umn.edu
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