Symposium: EUGENICS AND DISABILITY: HISTORY AND LEGACY IN WASHINGTON

The Disability Studies Program at the University of Washington

presents:

“EUGENICS AND DISABILITY: HISTORY AND LEGACY IN WASHINGTON”

A one-day public symposium examining the history and significance of eugenics in Washington, which in 1909 became the second state to enact a forced sterilization law. This event will provide a forum for dialogue about the eugenic past and its current implications.

  Friday, October 9, 2009

  9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

  UW Tower Auditorium, 4333 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Seattle, Washington

98195

Registration is required. This event is free and open to the public.

Lunch will be provided at no cost to registered attendees.

To register and for further information, go to:

http://eugenics.washington.edu

Or contact Tammi Olson, tammio@uw.edu (email), 425-774-4446 (voice),

425-774-9303 (fax), 425-771-7438 (TTY).

For information about symposium content, email Joanne Woiak, UW Disability Studies Program, jwoiak@uw.edu.

The symposium will feature panel presentations by national and local scholars and advocates, addressing “Disability in the History of Eugenics” and “Perspectives on the Relevance of Eugenics Today.”  The roundtable format will include ample time for audience discussion.  The intended audience includes academics, community advocates, individuals with disabilities, clinicians, service providers, policy makers, and interested members of the general public.

Co-sponsors: UW Office of the Provost, UW Center for Genomics and Healthcare Equality, Seattle Children’s Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, DBTAC Northwest ADA Information Center.

(h/t H-EUGENICS)

Comments

[Kelly Hills]

Some fantastic people are involved in putting this on; I highly recommend it to anyone who is in the area!

[Dr. I.M. Spence-Lewis]

The State of Washington (1909) was one of the first states after Indiana (1907) to legislate eugenic sterilizations. Washington State Congressman Albert Johnson represented the State from 1913 to 1933. During his tenure he was influential in implementing eugenic policies and legislation throughout the United States.

Therefore It is particularly important that the University of Washington encourage; domestic and international; public debate regarding the implications of the history of eugenics as it applies to social medicine and disabilities.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Dr. I.M. Spence-Lewis