FESTIVAL UNBOUND

Wrapping up our series of book-talks, this panel discussion will feature regional experts on areas of interest brought up through the book discussions, particularly issues of accessibility, housing and accommodations. Moderated by Mary Wright, this panel features:

• Christina Chi Zhang, from Lehigh University’s Department of Art and Architecture.  Her work focuses on the intersection of design and social justice.
• Austin W. Duncan,  Assistant Professor of Disability Independence in the College of Health at Lehigh University. He is a traumatic brain injury survivor, and a disability independence scholar who can offer refreshing perspectives on the social barriers of living with invisible disabilities.
• Michael Simonson the Bureau Head of Code Enforcement and Housing Departments, and Senior Building Inspector for the City of Bethlehem. His areas of expertise include the needs for aging in place. 
• Julianna Rodriguez works for the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living as their Community Inclusion for Young Children Project Coordinator.
• Chaz Hayden, a disabled author living with a disability called spinal muscular atrophy. He writes young adult books to share authentic human experiences and spread disability awareness.

Held in the Laros Room at the Bethlehem Area Public Library Main Branch. ASL interpretation will be provided.

Questions? Contact Margot Hillman at margot@touchstone.org.
Please contact mmikovits@lvaca.org with accessibility questions and to request assistance. All requests need to be made at least two weeks prior to the event. We will fill requests to the best of our ability.

[Image description: A close up shot of members of a  panel discussion. The one currently speaking is second in from the left. She has curly blond hair, and is wearing a blue flower print shirt, jeans, and brown shoes. She leans forward, in the middle of a sentence, gesturing with her right hand. The other members of the panel, folks of various ages, races, and genders, are all focused on her.]