This two-part webinar was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 and Wednesday, April 24, 2024
About the Webinar
Many of us who have family members with a disability are only too aware of the common reality that our family members are marginalized and often excluded by society. This reality springs, in part, from processes of social devaluation. Society often views persons with disabilities more as a burden and drain on public resources than as important and contributing citizens. These negative attitudes express themselves in many ways which hurt and disadvantage our loved ones and become obstacles to achieving full, meaningful lives as contributing members of their community.
Drawing on the work of Wolf Wolfensberger, the first part of this workshop will focus on the dynamics of social devaluation such as how it happens and what the consequences of it are. The second part of the workshop will present concrete strategies which can be used to assist people who have been devalued to mitigate against their devalued status, move toward valued status, attain community membership and have a full meaningful life.
About the Presenters
Darcy and Martin Elks
Darcy and Martin have had lots of personal and professional experience. They have 3 adult children, 2 of whom have disabilities. They both studied at Syracuse University and have been teachers and advocates for a long time. Darcy has conducted workshops for parents, citizen advocates, and professionals throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Central America. She is a teacher and mentor, currently an advisor with the Pennsylvania Family Advisor Network. Martin has had many roles within human services including that of a psychologist, human services designer and evaluator and the Pennsylvania State Director of Citizen Advocacy.
Testimonials from Past Workshop Attendees
“Thanks for helping my husband and I to gain clarity about the societal obstacles we are facing on behalf of our son. We have a much better idea now of how to advocate on his behalf.”
“This workshop challenged me and helped me to dream of a future I had never before imagined possible for my daughter.”
About the Gather for Change Event Series
The “Gather for Change” project will feature a series of six free educational and empowering events, all aimed at advancing awareness of critical topics for people with disabilities, their families, disability activists, and anyone interested in disability rights and history. Five of the events will be held virtually and one event held in person. This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
