Madison Reporter

Rebekah Taussig, author of "Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body," is set to deliver the keynote address for this year's Go Big Read event. The keynote will take place on October 16 at 7 p.m. in Union South's Varsity Hall, Section II. This event is free and open to the public, with a livestream available at gobigread.wisc.edu.

During the keynote, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and Taussig will discuss themes related to disability and accessibility as presented in Taussig's book. A Q&A session will follow, featuring questions from the audience. In addition to her keynote appearance, Taussig will engage with students across campus next week, including attending a class titled Disability and Society.

Taussig's work stems from personal experience; she has been paralyzed since age three and often felt isolated growing up. Her book and Instagram account @sitting_pretty aim to connect with others navigating similar challenges in a world that can seem unaccommodating.

Taussig holds a doctorate in Creative Nonfiction and Disability Studies from Kansas City. She has previously led workshops on disability representation at various universities including the University of Michigan and Davidson College.

In "Sitting Pretty," Taussig explores disability through memoirs and essays, prompting readers to rethink their perspectives. She writes, “Instead of disability as the limitation, what if a lack of imagination was the actual barrier?” She advocates for bringing disabled perspectives into focus because they foster creativity and inclusivity.

Several other events are scheduled around this year's Go Big Read program:

- A panel on community disability and accessibility is set for October 12 at Madison Public Library Central.

- Another panel featuring Taussig alongside UW–Madison students and faculty will occur on October 15 at Gordon Dining and Event Center.

- On November 7, an event titled Models of Disability, Disability Culture, and Identity will be held at Sequoya Public Library.

This year’s Go Big Read program includes educational resources such as a Canvas Commons module with chapter summaries and discussion questions designed for various academic fields. Additional materials include a teaching guide on campus history regarding disability created by The Center for Campus History.

The Go Big Read initiative aims to engage the campus community in shared reading experiences centered around academically significant works. For further information about these events or resources, visit the Go Big Read website.