Radical Question & Discovery Sessions
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: In the middle of an abstract dark blue background is all caps text in neon red outlining that says, “Radical Question & Discovery.” Below it is white text saying, “via ThisAbility Limited.” At the top middle of the image is cursive white text saying, “Sulaiman R. Khan.” Below it in all caps white text is “Daringly Integrating Disability.” And At the bottom right corner of the image is the social logo of ThisAbility Limited in all white featuring the Adinkra symbol for interdependence. DESCRIPTION ENDS.
“We are not afraid to adopt a revolutionary stance — if, indeed, we wish to be radical in our quest for change — then we must get to the root of our oppression. After all, radical simply means ‘grasping things at the root.’”
– Auntie Angela Davis.
Influenced and ignited by Sonya Renee Taylor and adrienne maree brown’s live Question & Discovery Sessions via their Institute of Radical Permission, a 12-week adventure that provides the tools and community to give ourselves “permission to be our full, authentic, and divine selves” - and as our birthright shows us how to give ourself “increasing permission to imagine, feel pleasure, and love…” - which our Founder & Chief Radical Officer, Sulaiman started in July 2022. Sulaiman is part of the initial cohort, and he is loving every single second.
What access care will be provided?
We know that we may not get things right (and we are the first to hold ourselves accountable), but we believe that accessibility is a necessity, not a luxury. As continual works-in-progress, we believe accessibility is a human right. So, for these live virtual sessions, there will be CART Captioning and Sign Language interpretations for each session. We will also aim to audio describe any visual elements. For these radical sessions, access care support will be provided by Flamingo Interpreting Inc. The sessions will not be recorded so that we can have a safe and brave space together. However, if you purchase a yearly ticket, you will receive a recording of the introduction of each session’s topic from Sulaiman after each session in Crip Time. If you have further access needs or questions, please email us at info@thisability.net, and we’ll support you as much as we’re able to do so.
Why “Question & Discovery” specifically rather than “question and answer”?
This is what adrienne said in the first live session: “Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest reason we wanted to frame it that way is because we're co-learning with y'all. So Sonya and I are very much like in the same place, we're in bodies, we're trying to figure out how to be in them in the most liberatory exciting way. So the questions that come up are not ones that we promise to give you, ‘Here's the definitive answer for,’ but rather ones that we promise to say, ‘Let's see what we can discover about ourselves and offer to each other here.’”
So, we honour and acknowledge Sonya Renee Taylor and adrienne maree brown’s radical wisdom and foresight in showing us the way. We thank you both for being the ignition for us starting these sessions. Long may your wisdom and love live within us all.
What are our Radical Question & Discovery Sessions?
Led by our Sulaiman, these are radical, restful, and regenerative live 90-minute virtual sessions (each start at 16:00 BST / UK Time). If you’re joining us from a different time zone, you may find this time converter useful. These events for bold, wild, fearless, liberatory, interdependent, joyful, grieving, and radical conversations. Each session will have a specific theme that will daringly integrate Disability.
The sessions will be themed on the following areas:
16:00 on 28 September 2022 - Disability Liberation (beyond diversity, inclusion, equality, equity, and justice).
16:00 on 10 October 2022 - Mental Health & Disability (coinciding with World Mental Health Day, on 10 October). Session sponsored by Utopia.
16:00 on 14 November 2022 - Accessibility & Disability (relating to International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on 3 December). Session sponsored by Utopia.
16:00 on 12 December 2022 - Interdependence & Disability. Session sponsored by Utopia.
16:00 on 16 January 2023 - Disability Language & Culture.
16:00 on 13 February 2023 - Disability, Sex, & Relationships (coinciding with Valentine’s day, on 14 February).
16:00 on 13 March 2023 - Accessible Aviation & Travel with Disability.
16:00 on 17 April 2023 - Food Ecology & Disability (coinciding with Earth Day on 22 April).
16:00 on 15 May 2023 - Disability & Family (coinciding with International Day of Families on 15 May).
16:00 on 12 June 2023 - Accessible Housing & Disability.
16:00 on 17 July 2023 - Disability & Regeneration beyond Sustainability.
16:00 on 14 August 2023 - Design & Disability.
16:00 on 18 September 2023 - Disability & Accessible Fashion.
What is the investment?
The investment for the RQ&D is £50 per session, or pay for the year (12-months) and get two months free. This is an investment into you and ourselves for radical conversations and growth as interdependent accomplices. Also, your 100% discount code on your first ticket at any remainder session until 18 September 2023 is: THISABILITY-FIRST-FREE
For you as my kin (by bond).💚.
Our goal as interdependent accomplices is to ultimately destroy ableism and work towards Disability liberation in harmony above balance.
“We don’t need allies, we need accomplices. Fighting oppression isn’t a spectator sport. Allies cheer you on, accomplices wade in to fight too.” — Mikki Kendall.
Who is this for?
These virtual live sessions are for radical people who are ready for radical conversations through interdependence and love. We are only able to move forward and create change if we are willing to have open conversations and not afraid to question everything. As our Sulaiman says best, “Radical answers require radical questions.”
How can you sign up?
If you are ready to start having some radical, interdependent, loving, grieving, and joyful conversations with us, please sign up now here.
Hiro Boga said it best: “There’s room for all of you, and for everything you experience—the grim and the glorious, the wounded, wounding, healing and healed.”