Kickoff Celebration for 2024

Join us for conversation, music, information, refreshments and a special presentation!

6pm – Gather with the Malden community. Learn about organizations in the local area that promote disability rights, accessibility and resources for persons with disabilities. Tables and exhibits will be set up in the main section of the library. Refreshments will be served in the Maccario Room.

7pm – Join us in the Maccario Room for a thoughtful and varied presentation featuring members of our Malden community sharing their stories, ideas, and artistic expressions. Learn more about our book selection through this presentation! There will be opportunity for connection and conversation to follow.

LIST OF EXHIBITORS:

• Malden SEPAC (Special Education Parents Action Council) 
• Me2/ Orchestra – classical music organization for individuals with mental illness
• Challenger baseball team – program for children with special needs
• Chinese Culture Connection
• Shore Educational Collaborative
• Easter Seals
• Bionic Project
• Handi Capable Fitness
• & more

Join Us for a Presentation in the Maccario Room!

Learn more about our book choice and varied ways community members are engaging with its themes. Our presentation is intended to spark interest and conversation and YOUR engagement as we read this book together, learn, and journey together toward a more inclusive Malden community … and world!

Kelli Collomb

Kelli is the Transition Coordinator at Malden High School and has over 20 years of experience providing vocational, career and mental health counseling in a variety of settings. Kelli will share her personal story as it relates to the work of Judy Heumann. She draws a straight line between Judy’s life work and her own ability to work in a school system and pursue her career.

James Norris

James Norris founded Handi Capable Fitness with the goal of using individual experiences to better the handi-capable community through conscious dialogue and action. James believes no challenge should stop someone from doing amazing things. In addition to his nonprofit and motivational speaking, James has written children’s books to motivate children of all abilities to be kind and bring an awareness that our differences make us special. 

Santon

Santon is an award-winning musician, who is fully blind from birth and autistic. He was born in Russia, and grew up in Malden, MA. An alumnus of the Perkins School for the Blind and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Santon plays several instruments in many different genres, is an original composer, and performs regularly throughout the Boston area. 

Laura Sánchez

Laura is an award-winning flamenco artist, creator, choreographer and educator originally from Cádiz, Spain. She holds a Professional Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapies from Lesley University. Laura is currently working on an autobiographical project entitled “Welcome to Holland!?,” inspired by her experience as an Hispanic immigrant mother of two children, one with multiple disabilities. This work challenges preconceived notions about disability to deconstruct internalized ableism.