Comedian, actor and activist Henry Holden will offer a free public lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. in the Hamilton College Chapel.
Holden, who contracted polio at age four and walks with the aid of crutches, will discuss "The Misconceptions Continue: How the Media Represent People with Disabilities."
"The Disability Action Group is excited to bring Henry Holden to Hamilton College and the Central New York community," said organization president Jennifer Taransky, "because we believe that deconstructing stereotypes and misconceptions about disabilities and disabled people is a first step in breaking down barriers between disabled and non-disabled people. We hope that this event can be a starting point for disability awareness and activism in Central New York."
The talk will incorporate two of Holden's main themes: "Don't DIS the ABILITY" and "Attitudes are the Real Disability."
"The population of the United States gets it perception of people with disabilities from family, friends, environment and the media," according to Holden. "This lecture/slide presentation focuses on how images in the media mold and distort this perception."
As a television actor, Holden has appeared on "T.J Hooker," "Hill Street Blues," "Divorce Court," "Knot's Landing," "Becker," and many other programs. He also starred in the Emmy-nominated rock musical "I Got News for You," which earned the American Scene Award from the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
Holden also takes great pride in his athletic accomplishments, including serving as a certified scuba diver, riding in the national horse show at Madison Square Garden, skiing, bowling and finishing the Los Angeles Marathon. As an activist, he founded the Performers with Disabilities Committee of the Screen Actors Guild and DIME (Disability in Media Everywhere), which seeks to eliminate negative portrayals in the media of people with disabilities.
Holden's visit to Central New York is sponsored by the Hamilton College Disability Action Group.
