Beyond History: Framing the Past, Shaping the Future (10/22/2025)

This fall marks 10 years of the Western Disability History and Action Consortium’s work in preserving, sharing, and advancing the disability history of our region – and you’re invited to help us celebrate!

Join us for Beyond History: Framing the Past, Shaping the Future, an evening that honors the past, spotlights present-day advocates, and looks boldly toward a more inclusive future.

📅 Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Heinz History Center (Mueller Center, 5th Floor), Pittsburgh, PA
🎟️ Tickets available starting Wednesday, September 10, 2025
📣 Sponsorship opportunities available

Keynote & Documentary Screening by Ann Talman

Pittsburgh native, Hollywood actress, and creator of Woody’s Order, Ann brings a deeply personal and moving story to the stage.

Consortium Milestone Showcase

A presentation that celebrates the impact and legacy of the Consortium’s first 10 years.

Honoring Ginny Thornburgh

We will pay tribute to Ginny Thornburgh’s remarkable contributions to disability rights, advocacy, and inclusion across decades.

Recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The landmark civil rights milestone that continues to shape our work and the lives of millions.

Silent Art & Maker Auction

Explore and bid on handcrafted artwork and items from talented local artists and makers with disabilities.

Food, Drink, and Community Connection

Enjoy a delicious spread of heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and the warmth of an evening filled with conversation and connection!

ANN TALMAN

Actress, Storyteller, Documentary Film Maker, Creator of “Woody’s Order!”

Ann Talman is a 4-time Broadway veteran, actress, storyteller and documentary film maker based in New York City. She made her stage debut in 1981 in the Broadway production of The Little Foxes with Elizabeth Taylor, portraying her daughter, Alexandra.

Following the engagement, she toured with Ms. Taylor in the production for 18 months with stops in Ft. Lauderdale, Washington, D.C. (The Kennedy Center), New Orleans, and Los Angeles as well as London’s West End. Currently her cabaret about this experience is touring the world and won 2023 MAC and BISTRO Awards. Her stage credits include Yours, Anne, The House of Blue Leaves, Carnival, Some Americans Abroad, and the Broadway revival of The Women.

Ms. Talman has appeared in several motion pictures including Serendipity, Limitless, and Wall Street. Television credits include guest starring roles on “Seinfeld,” “Ellen,” “Murphy Brown,” “The Street,” “Law & Order,” and a year on “General Hospital,” among others.

Ann’s solo play “Woody’s Order!” premiered at Pittsburgh Playhouse in 2017, directed by Point Park University’s John Shepherd. The play told the story of her lifelong dedication to her older brother Woody who lived a full life with cerebral palsy. She also wrote, starred in and produced the multiple award-winning documentary film “Woody’s Order!” based on her solo play . It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017.

She has toured the country as a storyteller sharing her very personal and touching tales which she plans to compile for an upcoming book. Ann grew up in Upper St. Clair and she is most proud to have been an inaugural inductee in the Upper St. Clair High School Hall of Fame in The Arts category. www.AnnTalman.com.

Ann first met Mark Steidl in 2017 when she did a segment on “Pittsburgh Today Live” to promote the solo play. Mark happened to be watching and reached out to her, and thus began their wonderful friendship. Mark expressed to Ann, via his Dynavox, how he was inspired and grateful to have been born in the 1990s and not the 1940s like Woody, because he has benefited so much from the progress that has been made in assisted technology for those with cerebral palsy.

MARK STEIDL

Disability Rights Advocate, Technologist, Teacher, Opera Librettist

Mark Steidl (they/them) is a disability rights advocate and graduate of the Community College of Allegheny County, where they majored in Social Work Foundations and served as a student government senator. Mark has cerebral palsy and uses a variety of technologies to manage his condition.

Mark serves on the board of Disability Rights Pennsylvania, advocates in a variety of disability rights campaigns, and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Mark works in technical support at Tobii Dynavox, a world leader in electronic communication, and has taught music appreciation at the Woodlands Foundation. He is the co-librettist for the opera “The Other Side of Silence,” which was workshopped with Opera Saratoga in 2024.

Chaz Kellem (Emcee)

Disability Rights Advocate, Nonprofit Leader

Chaz Kellem is a native of Pittsburgh and has been a disability advocate for 25+ years. Professionally, he serves as a Program Manager at Highmark Health within the Institute for Strategic Social and Workforce Programs. Chaz began his career at the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he spent 10 seasons, most of which he spent time in the Community & Public Affairs department as the Manager of Diversity Initiatives.

Chaz earned his Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Robert Morris University and his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Edinboro University. Chaz serves as board member and volunteer for organizations including the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers and the Miracle League of Moon.