Disability Week 2020 with Adam Pearson
Poster by Drew Fletcher
The 24th of February marked the beginning of a much under appreciated yet important seven days, Disability Week. A week to celebrate difference, promote equality and encourage understanding of a wide variety of disabilities. The students union at Falmouth and Exeter universities marked the occasion with a variety of events, including a movie night showcasing the 2007 film Music Within and an evening learning the basics of British Sign Language (BSL). Falmouth and Exeter couldn’t let the week finish without a bang, however, as they roped in actor and activist, Adam Pearson, to talk to, and inspire, students to become their own activists, in any little way. Pearson acted in the 2013 film Under the Skin, which was then nominated for a BAFTA. He has been able to discuss disability and its representation when many haven’t.
In his talk, Pearson sheds a light on the issues I, personally, have been willing for people to take notice on.
“Disability is the largest minority group out there. If you’re not doing disability, you’re not doing diversity.”
I quite agree. As a person with a facial condition myself, I am not exempt from those who contribute to a system that suppresses disabled identities. Indeed, there are countless films that insist on hiring abled-bodied actors to play disabled parts. My Left Foot. The Fundamentals of Caring. Glee.
Pearson is right. We must do better.
Disability representation goes beyond the TV or the big screen. It applies to the way we see and respond to it in our everyday lives. The amount of buildings that are not wheelchair accessible is a disgrace. Why should it be so hard for a person with a wheelchair to get through a door, when it is so easy for others? Disability is the largest minority group out there, Pearson highlights. But that does not mean it is invisible.
Pearson finishes his speech with a few important points I’d like to share:
Don’t be afraid to talk about disability
Don’t worry if it makes people feel uncomfortable
Have good conversations
As Pearson finishes his talk, I get up from my seat and hover nervously, willing myself to talk to him. Eventually, I pluck up the courage and tell him how much of a fan I am of his documentary The Ugly Face of Disability Hate Crime. It was difficult to film, he tells me, but he’s going to do another one later in the year anyway!
As disability week rolls around next year, it is my hope that Pearson’s work will continue to make a difference, that more disabled actors will be given the chance to represent themselves, and that the lives of those with disabilities becomes more visible around the world.
by Grace Holden