With a BA from Swarthmore College in art history and special education, I advocate art museum accessibility and artistic career advancement for people with physical and mental disabilities. My specialization in vision impairment and blindness has led me to collaborate with Art Education for the Blind; Braille Institute; National Exhibit by Blind Artists; Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind; and VSA Arts. I believe that the arts can offer a unique opportunity for social and economic participation by people with disabilities, and that the removal of architectural and attitudinal barriers is a vital extension of the Civil Rights Movement. As the visitor services director at the Santa Monica Museum of Art I have successfully implemented accessible programming for visitors who are hearing impaired and deaf.
Christine Leahey can be contacted via e-mail at: cleahey1@yahoo.com
