Thelma Wheatley
Able Artists 2013
Author of And Neither Have I Wings to Fly and My Sad Is All Gone: A Family’s Triumph Over Violent Autism. Her award-winning short fiction has been published in a number of literary journals across Canada. Past president of Autism Society Ontario, Peel Region, Wheatley continues to be in demand as a speaker on violence and autism.
ABLE ARTISTS 2013: PUSH TO OPEN was a three-day forum that offered daily sessions, workshops, demonstrations and performances designed to push Kingston’s leaders, arts leadership, academics, social service providers, educators and youth to open up to new ideas that may lead to increased arts engagement in our community.
We asked artists and presenters to share how their communities have provided access to opportunities in arts and culture. Not just by building more ramps and special seating areas, but also by finding solutions to funding dilemmas; approaches to battle systemic discrimination; and encouraging diverse expressions of art. We also discussed the most significant developments in Deaf and Disability Arts to understand the challenges ahead.