Close Modal Climate Change is a Disability Issue Hosted by Perkins School for the Blind, in partnership with the Museum’s Centers for Public Science Learning. Climate change is a disability issue. Air quality and extreme heat, combined with evacuation challenges posed by extreme weather, green zones that exclude economically disadvantaged people, and mass transit that isn’t accessible, are all just examples of why it’s important to look at climate solutions and practices through an inclusive lens.Find out how end-to-end disability inclusivity — from engaging students with disabilities in STEM education, creating STEM employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and involving them in policy solutions — can help us create solutions.Hosted by Perkins School for the Blind, in partnership with the Museum’s Centers for Public Science Learning, this evening of conversation will illuminate how to advance disability-inclusive climate practices, for environmentalists of all ages and roles, at the intersection of disability education and climate policy.This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.Part of the Museum’s Year of the Earthshot, an exploration of the climate solutions and the actions we can take now to live sustainably on Earth. Register for the Event Date and Time Friday, November 8 | 7:00 pm Audience Adults 18+ Location Blue Wing View Map Price Free with Pre-Registration Language English Register for the Event Date and Time Friday, November 8 | 7:00 pm Audience Adults 18+ Location Blue Wing View Map Price Free with Pre-Registration Language English Climate change is a disability issue. Air quality and extreme heat, combined with evacuation challenges posed by extreme weather, green zones that exclude economically disadvantaged people, and mass transit that isn’t accessible, are all just examples of why it’s important to look at climate solutions and practices through an inclusive lens.Find out how end-to-end disability inclusivity — from engaging students with disabilities in STEM education, creating STEM employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and involving them in policy solutions — can help us create solutions.Hosted by Perkins School for the Blind, in partnership with the Museum’s Centers for Public Science Learning, this evening of conversation will illuminate how to advance disability-inclusive climate practices, for environmentalists of all ages and roles, at the intersection of disability education and climate policy.This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.Part of the Museum’s Year of the Earthshot, an exploration of the climate solutions and the actions we can take now to live sustainably on Earth. Image Featuring Perkins School for the Blind Perkins School for the Blind helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. Based outside of Boston, Perkins has been, for 200 years, the global leader in educating both children with disabilities and special education teachers. Image Kris Bayne Kris Bayne has been an educator in Massachusetts for 20 years. During this time, she has worked with students on special education plans, focusing on supporting them in math and science. She came to Perkins School for the Blind in 2021 to teach Science to secondary students. Teaching students with visual impairments requires a focus on tactile and auditory representations of subject matter which has been an exciting new challenge for Kris. She has earned a Masters in Education and a Masters in Teaching Students with Visual Impairments. Image Professor Michael Ashley Stein Professor Michael Ashley Stein is the cofounder and executive director of the Harvard Law School Project on Disability, and a visiting professor at Harvard Law School since 2005. Considered one of the world’s leading experts on disability law and policy, Dr. Stein participated in the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; works with disabled peoples’ organizations and non-governmental organizations around the world; actively consults with governments on their disability laws and policies; advises an array of UN bodies and national human rights institutions; and has brought landmark disability rights litigation globally. Professor Stein has received numerous awards in recognition of his transformative work, including the National Order of Merit (Ecuador), USICD Dole/Harkin Award, Morton E. Ruderman Prize, Henry Viscardi Achievement Award, ABA Paul G. Hearne Award, and Harvard University Excellence in Accessibility and Inclusion Faculty Award. His authoritative and path-breaking scholarship of 277 academic publications and 11 books have been published worldwide by leading journals and academic presses and supported by fellowships and awards from the American Council of Learned Societies, National Endowment for the Humanities, and National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research, among others. Dr. Stein teaches at Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Medical School; holds an Extraordinary Professorship at the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights; and is a visiting professor at the Free University of Amsterdam’s Athena Institute. He earned a JD from Harvard Law School (becoming the first known person with a disability to be a member of the Harvard Law Review), and a PhD from Cambridge University (full tuition and stipend via a W.M. Tapp Studentship). Professor Stein was appointed by President Obama to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Image Kristen McCosh Kristen McCosh is the Disability Commissioner and ADA Title II Coordinator for the City of Boston. In this role, she leads the City’s collective efforts to ensure access, inclusion, and non-discrimination on the basis of disability, so that all disabled residents and visitors have an equal opportunity to participate fully in everything that Boston has to offer.A life-long resident of Boston, Kristen has been a part of the disability community for over 30 years after becoming disabled from an injury during high school. She began to advocate for disability rights during college, just as the Americans with Disabilities Act was being signed into law, and she has seen first-hand the improvements in accessibility and inclusion throughout society over the past 30 years.As a well-respected leader in the disability community, Kristen has been a local and national advocate for over 25 years. She served as Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007 and Ms. Wheelchair America 2008, both of which were leadership roles to highlight the accomplishments of women with disabilities, and to promote disability rights, equal access, empowerment, and Independent Living.Throughout her successful 25-year professional career, Kristen has worked in various fields, including public health initiatives, disability service provision, peer mentoring, and municipal government. Disability advocacy has always been the top priority in all of her work. Kristen graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston with a B.A. in English and Political Science, and she holds an M.A. in Disability Studies from the City University of New York in Manhattan.Kristen can be contacted at kristen.mccosh@boston.gov or kmc02127@gmail.com. Image Valerie Novack Valerie Novack is a dedicated policy researcher focusing on inclusive infrastructure, emergency management, and disability rights. With experience at local, state, and federal levels, she has played a key role in shaping policies that ensure equitable access to public spaces, transportation, and disaster preparedness for people with disabilities. Holding a Master’s in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Valerie has worked on legislative analysis, accessibility guidelines, and the integration of racial and environmental justice into policy frameworks. Her research and advocacy emphasize the need for person and community-centered practices that serve diverse populations, particularly in crisis contexts. Valerie lives in Euclid, Ohio with her spouse and two cats.
