
ABILITY Awareness in conjunction with the United Nations’ Department of Public Information hosted a panel discussion: The Art of Engagement, on Friday July 19th as part of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The panel described as, an entertaining approach to building awareness through music, theater, humor and various visual arts stimulates attention to an otherwise resistant society. Panelists included:
- Comedian and Emmy Award nominated actress Geri Jewell, featured on screen as the first person with a disability to have a regular role on primetime television, starring in multiple shows from The Facts of Life to Deadwood participated in this event.
- Artist Dan Keplinger, was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary film King Gimp on HBO. Keplinger who has Cerebral Palsy creates his art with a paint brush attached to head-gear.
- Yevgen Borodin, PhD, research professor of Computer Science at Stony Brook University, is working on innovative ways to make the web accessible to people who are blind. His iPhone and desktop apps bring greater web browsing assistant to everyone.
- Charles Limb, MD, is a musician and surgeon at Johns Hopkins — studying the relationship between music and scientific research. He presented the connection between creativity and brain activity.
- Jeff Brez, Chief of Advocacy & Special Events for the United Nations. Brez spoke about UN related issues and reaching large audiences through the entertainment industry. Showcasing George Clooney and Stevie Wonder’s efforts.
- Lia Martirosyan, is a classical singer, actress and writer for ABILITY Magazine. She spoke about presumptions versus reality and sang Pietà Signore, acapella.
- Chet Cooper, Editor-in-Chief of ABILITY Magazine moderated. Consistently ranked among top 50 magazines in the world, ABILITY Magazine, profiles celebrities and features articles on the most recent innovations and studies in health, disability and human potential.