Today on AirTalk we'll discuss the different ways to include youth with disabilities in competitive school athletics. We'll also consider the upcoming public nudity ban in San Francisco. On FilmWeek, Larry and the critics review this week's releases, and Tom Hooper speaks with us about directing "Les Mis."
Do student-athletes with disabilities need a league of their own?
The U.S. Department of Education clarified today that K-12 schools cannot exclude students with disabilities from after-school athletics and clubs. Officials explained that they are not looking to change sports teams, but “reasonable modifications” need to be implemented for disabled students who can compete with their classmates. For example, if a deaf runner wanted to compete in track and field, schools could use a visual cue instead of a starter pistol.
Some schools have already made modifications. For a blind wrestler in Chicago, his competitors must maintain physical contact with him during the match. In Ohio, a track student competes in a racing wheelchair but cannot have other students run alongside him. Other alternatives would be setting up parallel adaptive sports programs for students with disabilities. The Department of Education said that these legal obligations are a matter of equal opportunity civil rights. When Title IX instructed schools to treat female athletics equally with male athletics, many considered it a victory for women’s rights. There was increased female participation in sports, but also consequently many schools cut budgets for men’s teams.
Is this initiative parallel to Title IX for women? Will more students with disabilities participate in sports? How will this affect school budgets? Also, how can modifications be made for different types of mental and physical disabilities? Is this fair to other competitors?
Guests:
Terri Lakowski, CEO of Active Policy Solutions, which provides government relations and advocacy support to clients; specializing in sports, health, wellness, youth development, and civil rights policy and an expert on youth sports policy in the United States
Bob Gardner, Executive Director, National Federation of High School Associations
Bev Vaughn, Cofounder and Executive Director of the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, a non-profit organization with the mission to develop and support a standardized structure for school-based athletic competition to improve the well-being of students with physical disabilities
Is public nudity a First Amendment right?
A federal judge is weighing the constitutionality of a ban on public nudity in San Francisco. The ban is scheduled to take effect next week. The new prohibition was passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors last November. The ordinance states, "public exposure of ...private parts invades the privacy of members of the public who are unwillingly or unexpectedly exposed to such conduct."
Nudist activists argue the ban stifles free expression. They are suing city and county officials in a First Amendment challenge. In court hearings last week, the plaintiffs' attorney said public nudity is free expression akin to court-protected flag-burning. Judge Edward Chen said the analogy wasn't so clear cut. But he also questioned why the county ordinance did not include an exemption for nude acts of political expression, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The judge is expected to rule before the ban takes effect on February 1.
How did public nudity become a thing in San Francisco? Why is it so important to these activists? Do you view it as a First Amendment right? Does someone else's nudity interfere with your privacy or safety - as the ordinance states?
Guests:
Christina DiEdoardo, Attorney, Law offices of Christina DiEdoardo; representing nudist activists in U.S. District Court
Eugene Volokh, Gary T. Schwartz Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law
Tempest in the Rose Bowl: Pasadena councilman’s vote sparks recall effort
West Pasadena resident Michael Vogler has spearheaded a campaign to recall City Councilman Steve Madison, thanks to a dispute over use of the Rose Bowl. Last November, Pasadena City Council members voted 7-1 to allow expanded use of the Bowl for major events, from 12 per year to 25. This paves the way for an NFL team, should one move to Los Angeles, to take up temporary residence in Pasadena while waiting for a stadium to be built for them.
But the move has angered nearby residents and others who regularly use the Bowl grounds for soccer games, picnics, running and other activities. NFL games would cut down on time for public use of the grounds, and neighborhood residents fear the traffic, unruly fans and environmental headaches that would ensue on game day. On his website, Vogler writes that Madison “sold out the people that he was elected to represent by voting for a plan which will allow the NFL to play at the Rose Bowl” and that he’s “willing to sell our weekends and precious family time to the highest bidder.”
There have also been accusations of conflict of interest; Madison works for a law firm who has represented NFL interests in the past. Madison has pushed back, filing a rebuttal that labels the recall effort a “misguided” attempt to “circumvent the will of the voters” who elected him. The Rose Bowl is in need of expensive repairs, he points out, and Pasadena could use the injection of revenue from NFL games. But it seems Madison may have a fight on his hands to keep his city council seat. Supporters of the recall must now gather 2,800 signatures to force a vote, 20% of the approximately 14,000 registered voters in the district.
Are you a regular user of the Rose Bowl grounds? Would you be willing to give up some of the time you spend there to make room for an NFL team? Should a city councilman be subject to recall for casting an unpopular vote?
Guests:
Michael Vogler, attorney, secretary/treasurer for the Committee to Recall Steve Madison
Steve Madison, Pasadena City Councilman, District 6
FilmWeek: Parker, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, John Dies at the End, Movie 43 and more
Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Andy Klein from the L.A. Times Community Paper chain and Lael Loewenstein from Variety to review the week’s new film releases including Parker, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, John Dies at the End, Movie 43 and more. Also, Peter Rainer from the Christian Science Monitor checks in to share the latest updates from the Sundance Film Festival. TGI-FilmWeek!
Parker
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
John Dies at the End
Movie 43
Knife Fight
Tabu
Guests:
Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and the L.A. Times Community Papers chain
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and for the Christian Science Monitor
'Les Misérables' director Tom Hooper
Today, Tom Hooper stops by the studio to sit down with Larry Mantle and discuss the making of his new film “Les Miserables,” and why he chose to undertake such an ambitious project. The film has been positively received thus far, and won three Golden Globes: Best Comedy or Musical, Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical.
Some critics predict this steam will provide momentum for the film to make a splash at the Academy Awards. Hooper’s last film, “The King’s Speech,” took home Best Picture in 2010. Will he grab the brass ring again this year? What did you think of the film adaptation of this legendary musical?
Guest:
Tom Hooper, director of Oscar-nominated Les Misérables