MARK BOOKMAN’S DISABILITY ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH LIVES

DISABILITY PUBLICS-MAKING ACCESSIBILITY IN MODERN JAPAN

The late Mark Bookman's disability forward work will live forever.

Oxford University Press published his Disability Publics--Making Accessibility in Modern Japan.

I was honored to appear as a Universal Design expert in the documentary “Mark - A Call to Action"

Created by award-winning filmmaker Ron Small, the 90 minute feature film is both a lesson in progressive disability advocacy as well as an energizing father son love story.

Mark thrived in Japan because of an incredibly supportive and loving family.

I have met his wonderful family.

I hope they are comforted in the knowledge that though his life was short -- his brilliance will help people with disabilities for an eternity. 

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/disability-publics-9780198979739?cc=us&lang=en&

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

It is fascinating that Japan does not have underlying legislation as strong as the ADA, but it has better access to essential public transit.

The lesson is that the ADA is a strong foundation, but true inclusion is only realized through a commitment to universal design.

We celebrated the ADA anniversary in July, but must realize we all have a responsibility to create a world where the built environment is accessible to people with disabilities.

This commitment, which pays huge dividends for society as a whole, is especially imperative on architects, planners, mobility engineers, builders, employers and government.

Let's make the world accessible to everyone.

To watch the trailer and learn more about GLIDE Fund -- a nonprofit in Mark Bookman’s honor “established to provide financial assistance to disabled students interested in education exchange experiences to foster an inclusive society in which anyone can lead an independent and self-determined life.” – visit:

https://www.glidefund.org/documentary

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

The other huge takeaway -- from my trip to Tokyo to attend the world premiere of “Mark – A Call To Action” -- was the super clean and accessible public restrooms.

Even the largest commuter train stations in America often lack restrooms and when they have them, they are filthy and often ill-equipped for people with disabilities.

Virtually every restroom area had a men’s, women’s and unisex/accessible restroom.

The accessible ones were huge – and featured easy to toggle levers, located low toward wheelchair height, for locking the stall for privacy.

Some even had automatic door openers and closers and a good number featured adult changing stations.

Equally clean, well-maintained and fabulously-accessible free public restrooms are everywhere – at parks, by bridges, even in narrow old alleys famed for tiny shops serving ramen and Japanese beer.

 

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

In addition to his academic work, Mark Bookman collaborated with public sector and private sector clients in Japan and the United States. 

He spoke at numerous conferences, underscoring that everyone is aging and many will experience some kind of disability.

Bookman created a legacy of teaching the intrinsic value of disability inclusion.

His dissertation on inclusion is being published by the prestigious Oxford University Press, for release in 2025. 

Because I travel the world speaking about accessibility I want to share some observations about Tokyo – where I explored access for two weeks while participating in the world premiere of “Mark – A Call To Action.”

Tokyo, a highly populated city, that is spread over an enormous space -- could not exist without its always on time, can get you to everywhere, network of subways and above ground trains.

Most essential stations have elevators to get wheelchair users up or down to boarding platforms. They also have outstanding wayfinding to point the way to these. I tried 100-plus elevators – 100 percent of them worked.

When I visit New York, a terribly high percentage of access elevators are out of service.

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

My trip to Tokyo to attend the world premiere of “Mark – A Call To Action” allowed me to:

Honor a great disability advocate who died much too soon.

Further the documentary subject’s legacy of inclusion.

Learn about a terrific leadership program for people with disabilities.

Marvel at clean, efficient and large accessible public restrooms.

Mark Bookman, PhD, Tokyo College postdoctoral fellow and historian of disability policy and connected social movements in Japan, made an everlasting impact on disability inclusion.

In late 2022, he died at age 31.

Bookman had a rare variant of a metabolic-genetic condition. 

It is not Muscular Dystrophy but has similar impacts on the body. 

He had a heart transplant at age 10 and used a wheelchair for mobility most of his adult life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

I am honored to appear in the film “Mark – A Call To Action” as a Universal Design expert, focused on creating a better built environment for people with disabilities.

Japan has made some monumental strides toward inclusion, but like every place, still has much (far too many shops and restaurants – even in brand new spaces – require steps to enter) left to accomplish.

In the U.S., we celebrated the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th.

It was very interesting to see how a nation that does not have underlying legislation as strong as the ADA commits so strongly to accessible public transit and inclusive public restrooms.

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

I recently traveled to Tokyo to assist with the world premiere of the disability-positive film: “Mark – A Call To Action.”

It’s a documentary that follows the brief but brilliant life of Mark Bookman, PhD, -- Fullbright scholar, disability inclusion researcher and Tokyo College postdoctoral fellow.

The 90-minute feature tells a father-son love story as Bookman’s father Paul works to find an elusive diagnosis then supports his brilliant son through a heart transplant, transition to using a wheelchair and adapting to life as a scholar-leader halfway around the world.

It depicts Mark Bookman’s rise to working with the International Paralympic Committee and United Nations, influencing policy via commentaries published in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Japan Times and a prestigious academic opportunity in Kyoto.

ANNOUNCING THE U.S. PREMIER OF MARK – A CALL TO ACTION

I AM FEATURED AS A UNIVERSAL DESIGN EXPERT

IN THIS ACCLAIMED INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY

I am proud to share details of U.S. premiere of the documentary that features me as a Universal Design expert.

Mark -- A Call to Action debuts June 19 at Bryn Mawr Film Institute.

Every mayor, planner, architect, engineer & urban designer can learn from this film.

Director Ron Small's film chronicles the life and work of scholar/activist Dr. Mark Bookman, who improved the lives of disabled people, creating a legacy that inspires others to work for a world where no one is left behind.

https://tinyurl.com/4vjyeb2z

U.S. PREMIER OF DISABILITY POSTIVE DOCUMENTARY

I’M HONORED TO BE IN THE FILM: “MARK – A CALL TO ACTION” 

I'm proud to share details of U.S. premiere of the documentary that features me as our nation's preeminent Universal Design expert. 

Mark--A Call to Action debuts June 19 at Bryn Mawr Film Institute. 

Every mayor, planner, architect, engineer & urban designer can learn from this film.

It is NOT simply a disability film.

It is about what great things a person with a severe disability can achieve -- when the built environment is inclusive.

Director Ron Small's film chronicles the life and work of scholar/activist Dr. Mark Bookman, who improved the lives of disabled people from the U.S. to Japan.

The late Bookman created a legacy that inspires others to plan for and create a world where no one is left behind.

https://tinyurl.com/4vjyeb2z

I HAVE AN IMDB ENTRY

NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE ON INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE

Thanks to Ron Small, Paul Bookman and the wonderful team making the documentary “Mark – A Call to Action” – I’m on IMDB.

I appear in the 90-minute film portraying a life well-lived by Ivy League-educated global disability leader/influencer Mark Bookman. Mark achieved 100 years of brilliance in a life the ended at age 31.

To continue his legacy of inclusive design and much more, I’m on camera talking about the positives – from safer pedestrian mobility to aging in place – that come with Universal Design and town planning that includes people with disabilities.

As a cast member, I have a brief listing on IMDB – one of the 50 most-visited sites on the internet.

The film debuts in Tokyo in February. I hope to be there – with the team that has made me a part of the family.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26931769/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49tk8fKAJxo

MARK, A CALL TO ACTION

A DOCUMENTARY ON DISABILITY AND INCLUSION

Mark Bookman

Proud to be a part of Ron Small's pitch perfect documentary on disability inclusion and Mark Bookman's life well lived.

The 90-minute full feature debuts in early 2024.

I appear on camera talking about Universal Design and its benefits.

I hope to travel to Tokyo for the premier.

Mark, A Call to Action - The Glide Fund.

Here’s a short clip (I’m not in it, but it sets the scene for great storytelling)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49tk8fKAJxo&t=253s

Ron Small

HUMBLED TO WORK WITH PBS DIRECTOR

ON DISABILITY VISIBILITY STORYTELLING

Humbled to work with PBS director + film crew on documentary about the late disability inclusion leader Mark Bookman.

I was interviewed for an hour today about Universal Design and my thoughts on the Americans with Disabilities Act that turns 33 this year.

It was gratifying to work with Emmy winning Director Ron Small.

He produced and directed I Danced for the Angel of Death - The Dr. Edith Eva Eger Story.

My work with him is airing this year.

I discussed the groundbreaking Universal Design course I created for graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture during my PBS hour plus interview.

The CDC has documented that one in four adults has some kind of disability.

Design for all is mainstream.