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Friday Rundown: Equality, Access and Solidarity

These topics air Friday January 16, 2015 at noon and 8pm on 90.5 WESA. Join the conversation LIVE between 12pm & 1 pm weekdays at 412-246-2002.

Wheelchair Standards

There are 70 million wheelchair users worldwide. Our guests Dr. Rory Cooper and Dr. Jon Pearlman are helping to create new standards for the wheelchair bound. The doctors are co-directors of Pitt’s Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, and this month they’re launching the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals. They’ll join us to discuss how their work will impact wheelchair users around the world.

Increasing Accessibility

For the second year in a row the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts called the Art Works grant. The support provided by the NEA is helping to fund an Increasing Accessibility initiative for the arts. This initiative is designed to serve specific portions of the city‘s population. Here to tell us more about this initiative is Anne Mulgrave, manager of grants and accessibility for the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

Ending White Silence

Throughout the last 6 months of demonstrations and protests of police violence, activists all over the world have adopted the phrase, “Black Lives Matter.” In addition to that message, you may have seen the phrases, “I resolve to challenge racism” and “End White Silence.” In many cases, the people holding up signs with those phrases have been white. Recognizing that discussions of race and racism can be different when people of color are not present, WHAT’S UP?! Pittsburgh is a local group focused on promoting anti-racist action, and knowledge. Members such as etta cetera and Rose Lynd who identify as white, look at ways to challenge racism in their communities, among family and friends, even within themselves. They join us to discuss the ongoing work of WHAT’S UP?! Pittsburgh and the many ways they confront racial injustice. 

To leave a question or comment before or after the show dial 412-256-8783. More Essential Pittsburgh segments can be heard here