Skip to content

About the Challenge

UW Disability Studies Faculty Drs. Heather Evans and Heather Feldner invite you to participate in a Disability Allyship 26-day Challenge. Starting on April 5th, we challenge you to spend 5-20 mins every day for 26 days engaging with an item from a curated set of materials aimed to expand your knowledge of ableism and broaden your perspectives of disability. Participation in a sustained activity like this can help us understand the ways ableism shows up in our personal and professional lives and provide a pathway toward allyship and action.

After completion, we will host an online discussion forum for participants to share their responses and reactions to the Challenge and discuss how we can all move forward with allyship across multiple contexts and environments.

Please register below to receive weekly Challenge emails and to receive the zoom link invite for the online May 8th, 2024 discussion. If you have any questions, concerns, or access needs about the Challenge, please reach out to Heather Evans at hdevans@uw.edu or Heather Feldner at hfeldner@uw.edu with the subject line “26-day Challenge”.

Join the Challenge

Please register for reminders and challenge updates and to receive the zoom link invite for the online May 8th discussion.

register here

Challenge Content

Day 0

Welcome to the Disability Allyship Challenge

Length: 1 page

Learn More

Day 1: April 5th

An Alternative to the Deficit Model of Disability: A Social Model

Length: 2 minute video

Watch Here

Day 2 & 3: April 6-7th

Valuable Bodies

Length: 19 minute video

Watch Here

Week 1: April 5-7th

Reflection Question

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc

What were your main takeaways from this week’s challenge pieces? 

Day 4: April 8th

Inspiration Narratives

Length: 10 minute video

Watch Here

Day 5: April 9th

Independence and Interdependence

Length: 1 page blog

Learn More

Day 6: April 10th

Disability Justice

Length: 13 minute video

Watch Here

Day 7: April 11th

Disability Assumptions

Length: 1.5 minute video

Watch Here

Day 8: April 12th

Naming Ableism

Length: 1 page poetry

Watch Here

Day 9 & 10: April 13-14th

Crip Camp

Length: 1 hour 46 minute film

Watch Here

Week 2: April 8-14th

Reflection Questions

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc.

What has resonated the most with you with the challenge pieces this week? What have you been struggling with?

Day 11: April 15th

Intersectionality & Disability

Length: 2 minute video

Watch Here

Day 12: April 16th

Black Ableism and Disability Justice

Length: 14 minute video

Watch Here

Day 13: April 17th

Navigating Healthcare as a Trans Disabled Person

Length: 2 page blog

Learn More

Day 14: April 18th

Ableism & Language

Length: multiple page blog

Additional resource: “Violence in Language”

Lean More

Day 15: April 19th

The Problem with Disability Simulations

Length: 1 page blog

Lean More

Day 16 & 17: April 20th – 21st

Crip Time

Length: 24 minute podcast

Transcript available

Lean More

Week 3: April 15th – 21st

Reflection Questions

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc.

What are your own beliefs about healthcare rights, language, and simulation? How did the challenge pieces reflect, add to, or challenge your existing views? 

Day 18: April 22nd

Disability History: The Section 504 Sit-Ins

Length: 8 minute video

Content warning: excessive alcohol use

Alternative resource: “Zach Anner & The Quest for the Rainbow Bagel”

Watch Here

Day 19: April 23rd

History, Policy, & Intellectual Disability

Length: 14.5 minute video

Watch Here

Day 20: April 24th

CREAT-ing Access

Length: 20 minute video

Watch Here

Day 21: April 25th

Inclusive Arts

Length: 3 minute video

Accessibility: Video Description 

Watch Here

Day 22: April 26th

Inclusive Education

Length: 15 minute video

Watch Here

Day 23 & 24: April 27-28th

Disability & Innovation

Length: 58 minute film

Note: A UW NetID is required to access the film.

Watch Here

Week 4: April 22nd – 28th

Reflection Question

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc

What was the piece that most resonated with you this week and why?  

Day 25: April 29th

Accessible Voting

Length: 5 videos, 5 minutes each (25 minutes total)

Watch Here

Day 26: April 30th

Judy Heumann: The Fight Continues

Length: 17 minutes

Watch Here

Week 5: April 29th – 30th

Reflection Questions

Take a few minutes to think about this week’s materials. Jot some thoughts, journal, have a conversation with a friend or colleague, make art, etc.

Do a little prep for the May 8th group discussion! What do you need or want to know more about? What are some ways you will or would like to continue to engage with disability content, culture, or advocacy?