Equity & the Law

Workshop Description: Opportunity is not distributed equally in any city, including Madison. Decisions about the location and design of housing, highways and schools can have big and differing impacts on life outcomes. This session will review critical urban planning mistakes of the 20th century that divided and deprived based on income and skin color. Then we will move into a group participation exercise where you will help decide the fate of a controversial project in your community. 

Participants can expect: Discussion, Small group work, Q&A, Debate

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: TBD

Speaker Bio: Jason Valerius is the Executive Director of the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission, an independent unit of government that supports local governments on issues related to land use and the protection of natural resources. Jason is an urban design specialist by training and is an advocate for using the physical design of neighborhoods and places, and the public policies that guide those designs, to foster the success of ALL residents.

Workshop Description: WI Books to prisoner's mission is simply to send books to prisoners who request them and to foster a love of reading and encourage self-education. Our mission is increasingly being sabotaged by the WI Department of Corrections. Why? Students will have the opportunity to read letters from prisoners and discuss the broader question: Why would putting someone in prison make them a better person, i.e., reform them?

Participants can expect: Reading & Discussion, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: TBD

Speaker Bio: Camy co-founded WI Books to Prisoners in 2006 after co-sponsoring a documentary film and discussion group at a prison in Wisconsin. This experienced informed her about the woeful condition of prison libraries and the despair of hundreds of readers in prison. She's also made instructional zines for prisoners nationwide on popular topics such as learning to draw, the rules and history of chess, and high-intensity interval training.