With Human Relations Month coming in February, Orange County’s Human Relations Commission is hosting its annual HRC Forum on Sunday, January 31, from 3-5 pm in the Whitted Building in Hillsborough.

This year’s forum continues the celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which marked its 25th anniversary last year. The landmark ADA became law in 1990.

The forum is entitled “Disabilities Matter: A Focus on Disability Awareness.” It will feature a special presentation by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Alice Elliott, whose film “The Collector of Bedford Street” examines disability. Thinking about the importance of the ADA, Elliott says it’s important to remember that there’s no sharp distinction between “abled” and “disabled” people. Ability/disability is a spectrum rather than an either/or: different people are ‘disabled’ at different times (think about navigating a flight of stairs while pushing a baby in a stroller, for instance!), and we’ll all face some disability at some point in our lives.

Alice Elliott spoke with Aaron Keck this week on WCHL.

 

In addition to Elliott’s presentation, the HRC Forum will feature a discussion with three panelists: Duke University Disability Management System director Leigh Fickling, Lupus Foundation of NC board member CJ Scarlett, and Durham-based writer/photographer Kim Lan Grout, a local disability advocate.

The Whitted Building is located at 300 West Tryon Street. The forum is free and open to all; for more information, visit this link.