{"id":9625,"date":"2025-04-02T07:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T11:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/?p=9625"},"modified":"2025-04-01T16:42:36","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T20:42:36","slug":"insights-and-inspiration-from-the-weingarten-disability-symposium-must-read-books-and-powerful-speakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/2025\/04\/02\/insights-and-inspiration-from-the-weingarten-disability-symposium-must-read-books-and-powerful-speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Insights and Inspiration from the Weingarten Disability Symposium: Must-Read Books and Powerful Speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By visiting contributor Traci Huppman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attending the Weingarten Disability Symposium was an insightful experience, filled with thought-provoking discussions and powerful takeaways. Among the many ideas shared, I made note of several books and a speaker that may inform our work around accessibility\u2014or simply serve as sources of inspiration. Here are a few recommendations that stood out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended Reads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nudge: The Final Edition<\/em> by Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trico Library link for Nudge: The Final Edition<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This updated edition of Nudge<\/em> continues to explore how small interventions can lead to better decision-making, both at an individual and societal level. The book has been widely recognized as essential reading for those interested in public policy, politics, human behavior, and welfare. As Barry Schwartz (Swarthmore Emeriti) of The American Prospect<\/em> put it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNudge is as important a book as any I\u2019ve read in perhaps twenty years. It is a book that people interested in any aspect of public policy should read. It is a book that people interested in politics should read. It is a book that people interested in ideas about human freedom should read. It is a book that people interested in promoting human welfare should read. If you\u2019re not interested in any of these topics, you can read something else.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those of us working in accessibility and inclusion, Nudge<\/em> offers valuable insights into how small design choices can create more equitable environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sipping Dom P\u00e9rignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever<\/em> by Eddie Ndopu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trico Library link to Sipping Dom P\u00e9rignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eddie Ndopu\u2019s memoir is a compelling account of navigating ableism while striving for excellence. His story challenges conventional definitions of success and invites us to rethink what an accessible world could look like. Apple Books Review highlights the depth of his reflections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis witty and inspiring memoir digs into the highs and lows of one man\u2019s life while navigating ableism. . . The struggles in Sipping Dom P\u00e9rignon Through a Straw will make you wonder what it will take to create a truly accessible world for all, and the strength Ndopu took from them will make you want to raise a glass of cold champagne in his honor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ndopu\u2019s perspective is both necessary and transformative for anyone invested in disability advocacy and inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Is Body Grief: Making Peace with the Loss That Comes with Living in a Body<\/em> by Jayne Mattingly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On order with the library<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jayne Mattingly\u2019s This Is Body Grief<\/em> explores the emotional and psychological aspects of living in a body that changes over time, particularly for those with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Akilah Cadet, MPH, author of White Supremacy Is All Around<\/em>, offers this reflection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a Black disabled woman, Body Grief is my daily story. Mattingly reminds us that ‘without storytelling there is no healing,’ validating why it is important to listen to the stories our bodies tell us. Read this book to heal in your own way. To be angry. To share. To accept. To celebrate and to love your body unconditionally amongst the continuous grief it brings.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This book offers a powerful invitation to reflect on our own relationships with our bodies and to embrace healing through storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featured Speaker: Ali Stroker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ali Stroker is a Tony Award-winning actress and disability advocate. As the first wheelchair user to perform on Broadway, Stroker\u2019s journey has broken barriers and redefined representation in the arts. Her ability to blend personal storytelling with advocacy makes her an inspiring voice for disability inclusion. She came highly recommended as a potential speaker by one the Symposium\u2019s plenary presenters, Carrie Ingersoll-Wood, Director, Disability Cultural Center at Syracuse University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Weingarten Disability Symposium was a valuable opportunity to engage with ideas that challenge, inspire, and inform our work. Whether through groundbreaking books or compelling speakers, these perspectives help shape a more inclusive future. If any of these recommendations resonate with you, I encourage you to explore them further\u2014there\u2019s always more to learn and ways to grow in our commitment to accessibility and equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What books, speakers, or insights have influenced your approach to accessibility and inclusion? I\u2019d love to hear your thoughts!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By visiting contributor Traci Huppman Attending the Weingarten Disability Symposium was an insightful experience, filled with thought-provoking discussions and powerful takeaways. Among the many ideas shared, I made note of several books and a speaker that may inform our work … Continue reading Insights and Inspiration from the Weingarten Disability Symposium: Must-Read Books and Powerful Speakers<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":9626,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,71,4,123,24],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-9625","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-academic-technology","8":"category-accessibility","9":"category-news","10":"category-swarthmore-college-libraries","11":"category-workshops-and-events","13":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/weingartenDisabilitySymposium.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/ph2nPL-2vf","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9625"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9629,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9625\/revisions\/9629"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}