The Dart puppet will ready in time to mark the 20th anniversary of the ADA, and debuts during the U.S. Social Forum June 22-26. Chicago’s 7th Annual Disability Pride Parade on July 24 will also feature the puppet. Donations to the Justin Dart Puppet Project can be made directly through Facebook.
For more Abilities Buzz, visit http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/Buzz13.html#6Monday, January 25, 2010
ADA Pioneer Justin Dart Memorialized with Giant Puppet
DETROIT-- According to Abilities Buzz, Detroit-based Matrix Theatre Company is creating a giant street puppet of Justin Dart, well known disability advocate and “father" of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Matrix Theatre Company already has other activists memorialized through giant puppets, including Martin Luther King, Ceaser Chavez and Mother Jones.
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14 comments:
I think that it is a great idea that they are going to make a puppet in memory of Justin Dart Jr. Considering all his contributions to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the determination he had to assist people with disabilities and their rights was something that most people will not forget. Also, I think that this gives people with disabilities hope that people will advocate for them if they stand for what they believe in. I also think it is a great idea that Chicago will display the giant puppet at their annual Disability Pride Parade because this shows the pride that they have taken in the efforts he made to assist people with disabilities and there civil rights . For me, it is very refreshing to know that the city of Chicago is honoring him in such a great way; let us always remember Justin Dart for his great contributions.
Amy G.
This is a very interesting topic on Justin Dart. I had never even heard of this man. He has made an impact on people with disabilities. That is awesome that they are going to make a puppet of him. Since he isn’t present at this time his presence will be with us through his puppet. Children with disabilities will certainly have an impact on Justin Dart’s puppet. Hopefully the money is raised for the puppet of the tribute of Justin Dart. Justin Dart has done a lot through his busy life, but he has made a difference in people’s lives. I would really like to see the parade July 24th or read up on it in the internet. At least he left us a challenge before he left. I really like his saying because hopefully each and every one of us can reflect on that and make a difference in someone’s life.
Jennifer Valerio
I think it is great that Justin Dart is being memorialized with a giant puppet. When one thinks of influential activists we automatically think back to what we learned in school and Martin Luther King comes to mind. He did such amazing things and impacted our history in many ways but there are other activist who did just the same such as Justin Dart. I personally had never heard of him so I did some research and looked up some of his accomplishments. I was amazed to see all he had done to bring awareness to people with disabilities. I think people with disabilities struggle with so much on a daily basis and the fact that Justin Dart personally knew those struggles, he was extremely influential in bringing attention and awareness to an issue that many who aren’t disabled don’t pay much attention to. I hope that his memorial through the giant puppet will bring even more attention and awareness about disabilities to a new generation of people.
Victoria Lopez
First of all, I was very interested to read more about Justin Dart, Jr. and his background. Having had polio myself, I have been impressed with other people who work hard to succeed in spite of physical limitations. Mr. Dart is a wonderful example for people with or without disabilities of what you can do if you persevere. He accomplished so much and helped so many people through his civil rights efforts. His challenge to us will hopefully continue to ring out as the giant puppet is displayed in the events to come. As Amy stated, I, too, wish I could be present to share in the unveiling at that convention. The “little PAC for empowerment” will be a symbol of what one can achieve when one has a love of justice, life, and equality for all. We can all learn from his efforts and accomplishments that everyone deserves to have a good quality of life and the opportunity to be a productive member of our society.
Sylvia S.
I too felt the urge to research on Justin Dart as to gain a broader perspective on his accomplishments and contributions to the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was beautiful to realize that he not only pushed forward despite his disability, to educate and bring awareness to others about disabilities, but he also was an advocate for women's rights, people of color, and gays/lesbian rights. It was not hard to see the humanitarian in him. His need to contribute his wealth toward causes he felt strongly for not only allowed others to feel identified with but also allowed for support. I especially enjoyed reading how despite his struggles with polio, he reached a point in his life where he was able to see the positivity of his disability and live his purpose. It is great to hear that a man such as Mr. Dart can be recognized in a artistic and creative manner. After so much he has given to others, it is beautiful to see how he will live on.
Patricia Dominguez
The Death of ADA pioneer Justin Whitlock Dart Jr. is a considerable loss to us as but especially to individuals with disabilities. This loss of this icon, who contributed so much to the aid of individuals with disabilities, will truly be felt for many years to come. I am on the verge of feeling shame for not having the slightest idea of who this individual was prior to this posting. While my bachelor degree is a combination of several subjects, the main subject is history. I can’t recall the mention of this individual, who contributed so much, in any of them. I hope the actions of Matrix Theatre Company will only be the beginning. I have done a little internet research and have discovered that a lot of websites mention he’s referred to as the “god father of the disability rights movement” and “father of the American with disabilities act” or ADA, which passed legislation and made into law in 1990. He is also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor a citizen can received. He received 5 presidential appointments into positions associated with ADA, such as serving on the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. What I admired so much about this individual is his modesty. He stated numerous times that all the recognition and awards belongs to all the individuals who helped with the achievements. The fact that he contracted polio in 1948 did not prevent him from dedicating his life to the establishment of rights for individuals with disabilities. If it wasn’t for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, many of the disabled individuals, such as me, wouldn’t have a decent chance at being employed or treated with dignity and respect.
A. Lazo
I do not think that a giant puppet is a great way to celebrate the accomplishments of Justin Dart but if that’s what they want who am I to say it’s not enough. I hope that there will be other memorials for Mr. Dart. I do like the fact that he will be classified or in the group of Martin Luther King and Ceasar Chavez as important activists. As King advocated for African American people Dart did for people with disabilities. He did help pass the ADA for crying out loud. I do hope and believe that there is someone out there fulfilling more of Justin Darts’s dreams and counselors need to remember to be advocates for people with disabilities.
James D.
I believe it’s great that Justin Dart Jr is being put at the level of a Martin Luther king Jr. The giant puppet will remind individuals who are familiar and those who may not be aware of the ADA passage in 1990 that it all began and was made possible by the grandfather himself Justin Dart Jr. Like all king Jr. did for the African American community Justin Dart Jr. did for the disability community. I will always remember Justin Dart Jr. for his great contributions.
I did some research on Justin Dart Jr. and he was a great humanitarian. He had his own disability yet he advocated for others. This giant puppet will help symbolize what he has done for so many. He also had much to do with the civil right of gays and lesbians. This giant puppet will be displayed at the annual Disability Pride Parade and will be a representation of Mr. Dart. From what I read it seemed he was an man with an impeccable reputation and honor.
I think it is so awesome Justin Dart is being recognized as by the Detroit Matrix Theatre Company for his life time achievements as an American activist for disabled individuals. I love the fact he is being honored along the side of Martin Luther King, Ceasar Chavez, Mother Jones, and many others, he definitely deserves it, especially after all his hard work and dedication to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities law of 1990. I was actually scamming through Matrix Theatre Company Blogspot and the puppets of Martin Luther King, Ceasar Chavez, and Mother Jones are pretty incredible and humongous. The whole design of this honor is a pretty unique and a creative memoralization. To fully memorialize Justin Dart they are also creating a larger than life wheelchair to hold the puppet, which is awesome it completes the whole picture of what he stands for as a person and as the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
-sukania mendez
I think its pretty cool that there is going to be a giant puppet of Justin Dart Jr. I had no idea of who this many was until I read this article. Making this giant puppet with provide people out there such as myself will help provide people with the awareness of all the great things that are going on in regards to advocacy towards pepople with disabilites.
Alina Limon
This is a great idea what is most amazing that it will bring awareness to the community, and through-out the country. Society will find-out who was Justin Dart and learn all about him the ADA and hopefully get involved. How exciting to know that this person had a disability and still accomplished many things and was an advocate. I did not know much about Justin Dart till now and would like to know more about him.
Nora
Including Justin Dart among other advocates who have already been memorialized as puppets is an interesting way to spread awareness of disabilities. As the "father" of the Americans with Disabilities Act I think that he should be widely recognized for his efforts to gain equality for people who were dealing with discrimination and injustice. Justin Dart really was a pioneer for rights of people with disabilities and I think that this giant puppet being on display at the parade and elsewhere will lead people to ask questions and learn more about Justin and more about people with disabilities. The use of a puppet can also help to educate children on the matter as well, we need to educate our children when they're young about people who are different from themselves so that we can help to create a more understanding and empathetic world.
I was unaware who Justin Dart Jr. was, but now I'm aware of his contributions to the disabled community. I am grateful for the foundation that he established and I believe that his mission is important for us all too adopt, for it takes a social effort and awareness to produce change. The giant puppet would be a great way to immortalize the efforts of Dart, for it will spread the word to generations to come.
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