Images(2)

Quilt, Art

Object number2024.17.5

MediumFabric; Thread; Plastic

Credit LineGift of Amy Selders

DescriptionRectangular fabric art quilt block. Border is comprised of pieced patterned fabrics in a striped band. Center rectangular area has sky-like background fabric of blue, purple, white, and yellow; embroidered red text across top; green fabric along bottom represents grass with two houses pieced from patterned fabrics; viewer's left house has pink plastic beads on the sides; and there are embroidered flowers between the two houses. Reverse's fabric is same as front's central background with more of a tie-dye starbust pattern.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 5.563 x 7.813 x 0.375 in. (14.1 x 19.8 x 1 cm)
InscriptionsFront has embroidered red text along top "NO MORE NURSING HOMES / For ME...NOW I'm Living FREE!"
Historical NotesAmy DeLancey Selders is a disability rights advocate who worked at various Centers for Independent Living across the country. A native of Castle Shannon borough, Selders lives with Epilepsy, Lupus, Chronic Kidney Disease, hereditary Hemochromatosis, and Sjögren’s Syndrome. During her formative years, Selders observed the quilting tradition of her great-grandmother, who crafted quilts to celebrate family milestones. After completing her formal schooling, Selders worked as a Vista volunteer with Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) from 1990 to 1992. Here she received exposure to the tenets of the Independent Living Movement. The Independent Living Movement brought about a tectonic shift in the way people with mobility disabilities and complex support needs were supported in larger society. Formerly, these disabled individuals relied upon their families for home-based care and support. Personal homes frequently were not accessible for people with mobility disabilities. Individuals who encountered these barriers and did not have support at home were frequently sent to state-run institutions or nursing homes. Centers for Independent Living emerged from within the disability community as centers of advocacy and support to promote the transition of disabled individuals into community-based supported housing with appropriate attendant care. The Independent Living Movement centered the individual self-determination of disabled individuals to live independently. CILs also served as community centers and provided employment support. In 1998-1999, Selders began working for the Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) in Pittsburgh. Selders worked as a housing counselor, with the goal of transferring of people with mobility disabilities from nursing homes into community-based housing. In this role, Selders collaborated with the disabled individual to assess their support needs. Selders then worked to locate accessible housing within the confines of Section 8 housing. She also coordinated attendant care support for clients. This work was funded by a state Supportive Housing Demonstration Project grant. Selders worked for nine years at TRCIL. Selders incorporated her family legacy of quilting into her disability rights work. Selders created quilts that reflected facets of the Disability Rights Movement, including ADAPT and visitability. Selders is a self-taught quilter and experimented with different quilting patterns when creating a quilt honoring the Independent Living Movement. Selders also worked on short-term contract positions for numerous CILs across the country, including in San Jose, Chicago, San Matteo, Indianapolis, and San Francisco. Selders incorporated quilting into her outreach work at CILs. Selders is credited with leading the first Disability Pride parade, which took place in Chicago in 2004. Selders worked with disabled students from Chicago Public Schools on topics such as disability culture, life skills and financial training. Selders was also active in American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT), an activist organization within the Independent Living Movement. Selders participated in multiple ADAPT demonstrations, known as National Action events. Selders has a particular fondness for disability rights advocate Justin Dart, Jr., who helped to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and is regarded as the “Godfather of the ADA.” An uptick in seizures prompted Selders to retire from her professional work.

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