Interviews

Jason's Connection Announces Jason P. Harris Speaking Engagement on Hidden Disabilities

29 Oct 2014 by Jason Harris

Cincinnati, OH – October 20, 2014.  Jason P. Harris, a co-founder of Jason’s Connection, presented his talk on “Hidden Disability” at the San Francisco Bay Area ReelAbilities Film festival.

ReelAbilities originated in New York City and is a national film festival presenting the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Jason Harris was invited to speak following the film, Stand Clear of the Closing Doors about a 13 year-old-boy who, while deeply imaginative but painfully isolated, struggles with autism.

Jason, who is on the Asperger’s Spectrum, shared his insights about the film and having an invisible disability. Highlighted were his comments about the range of abilities and characteristics. He stressed that when you meet one person on the spectrum, you meet ONE person and that everyone is unique and different with his or her own tendencies, aspirations, and interests just like anybody else. He cautioned that stereotypical thinking or representations on television or in the media do not represent the full picture of persons with a developmental disability.  While Jason admits he can “get in his head,” he also has a love of social engagements with friends and family, has many diverse interests, and enjoys a good sense of humor!

Jason’s Connection is a website listing resources and allowing people to rate, review, and recommend providers and an on-line magazine sharing the stories of people with diverse abilities from around the world. Jason speaks to groups, contributes articles and interviews people with diverse abilities from around the world. He is involved with both ReelAbilities and Jason’s Connection because he wants to show people what those with differences can do.

Jason’s Connection, an Ohio 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2013, created the jasonsconnection.org website and is funded through the generosity of Saul Schottenstein Foundation B  and the Susan C. and Jeffrey P. Harris Family Foundation.


Jason Harris

Founder of Jason’s Connection – an online resource for those with disabilities, mental health, aging and other needs. Jason was awarded an M.S. in Cultural Foundations of Education and Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies from Syracuse University.  Jason is also a Project Coordinator and Research Associate at the Burton Blatt Institute, an international think tank for Disability Rights and Human Justice at Syracuse University.  He regularly contributes to the blog in his own series called Jason’s View and travels the country consulting and speaking about disability issues and rights. To read more from Jason Harris, read Jason's View