ROM – Out from Under: Disability, History and Things to Remember

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada

Until July 13, 2008

Out from Under: Disability, History and Things to Remember explores the history of disabled people in Canada. A display of thirteen diverse objects reveals a rich and nuanced story that pays tribute to the resilience, creativity, and the civic and cultural contributions of Canadians with disabilities.

Braille watch worn by Mae Brown, the first Deaf-Blind Canadian to earn a university degree.

The first of its kind in Canada, this remarkable exhibition was produced in collaboration with students, scholars and alumni from Ryerson University. The origin of Out from Under was a special topic seminar designed to uncover the hidden history of disability in Canada. Students were invited to identify an object representing a particular era or moment in Canadian disability history and explore its significance. The result is a powerful portrait of a community that is vital, dynamic and proud. Out from Under is fully accessible.

Trunk used to transport a child’s belongings to the Orillia Asylum for Idiots.
Ed: the link contains podcasts and other features.

For a commentary on accessibility of the exhibit, see Not Here Not Yet