Toronto, Oct. 17, 2007 – A child’s trunk. A pile of 16 neatly folded grey sweat suits. A Canadian flag. On their own, they may not have anything in common. But together, they are a part of a unique exhibit that illustrates the hidden history of disabled people’s experiences and their struggle for equal rights. This is the first exhibit of activist disability history to be held in Toronto.
The exhibit runs from Thursday, Oct. 25 to Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. W. (Note: The exhibit is open 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 25, opening night.) The installation is part of the third annual Abilities Arts Festival, a celebration of disability arts and culture, which will run from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4.
The exhibition was created by Ryerson’s School of Disability Studies students, faculty, alumni and community activists who took part in a course was designed to shed light on the historical struggles of disabled people. About 20 participants were asked to find an object that signified a historical moment in Canadian disability history.
The result is a 13-panel installation of various objects, each with its own compelling history to tell. For example, an image of a trunk belonging to a child who was sent to an institution in the 1950s will be on display along with a list of items to bring and instructions to parents when they can visit. Another panel shows an image of sixteen folded grey sweat suits, each symbolizing the asylums that existed in the last 25 years in Ontario and representing the anonymity of its residents who wore similar uniforms.
The exhibit was funded by the RBC Foundation, Scotiabank Group, Canadian Historical Foundation, McConnell Foundation and Ryerson University’s Faculty of Community Services.
Note: Students and staff from the School of Disability Studies will be available for media interviews during the exhibit’s opening night. Melanie Panitch, director of the School of Disability Studies, is available for interviews prior to the exhibit.
WHAT: Exhibit — Out From Under: Disability, History and Things to Remember
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 25 to Tuesday, Oct. 30
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Oct. 25 only for opening night)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Oct. 26 to Oct. 30) WHERE:Columbus Centre
901 Lawrence Ave. W.
CONTACT:Suelan Toye Public Affairs Ryerson University
Office: 416-979-5000 x 7161
stoye@ryerson.ca
CILT
