Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Ability-based systems
Ableist assumptions are beliefs or attitudes that devalue or discriminate against individuals with disabilities. It is the societal attitudes that shape these beliefs, assuming that being able-bodied is “better,” than having a disability. Like Penny Ford, parents of the disabled have been fighting for years for their children to have just the basic human rights. We live in a world that is full of negative cultural assumptions that greatly affect every aspect of one’s life. From assuming incompetence to seeing them as a charity or pity case, their individual skills and talents are often overlooked simply because society sees them as less able than the next person. They are denied equal opportunities and must deal with the lack of access to education and services. From last week's reading of the RI state laws I recall The Rehabilitation Act of 1971 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act both of which were passed to help support children with disabilities in education, but even with these federal laws in place, existing practice is often difficult to change. I'm part of the 504 team at school. At the start of each school year, we meet with the student, their parent(s), guidance counselor, and the vice principal to discuss accommodations. Before the meeting, I like to talk to the student and ask them directly what would help them improve their school experience and how I can support their needs.
The teaching of children who are deaf is a powerful illustration of ableism. Despite the existence of educational programs for the deaf for over 150 years, they still have been faced with significant challenges. In 1985, Nora Groce's study provided evidence that with the right education, students of any background, including the deaf, can perform as well as or even better than their peers. Her report revealed that “graduates of the Hartford School had achieved higher levels of literacy than many of their hearing neighbors.”As a result, less educated hearing individuals in the Vinyard communities would seek help from their deaf neighbors to understand legal documents. The deaf individuals often held higher positions and leadership roles within the community. I found this very empowering as it demonstrates the effects of equal opportunity in the classroom and why it is so crucial for everyone.
Unfortunately, there was a setback to American Sign Language (ASL) later on with the introduction of oralism. This method claimed to successfully educate deaf children by teaching them to lip read and speak while prohibiting the use of manual language. It was believed that using sign language decreased motivation to learn to speak. However, forcing deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to exclusively use oral communication methods can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and low self-esteem. The inability to effectively communicate with others can have significant social and emotional consequences. "Thus oralism continues to have a negative impact on the education of deaf children as an enduring legacy of ableism."
Social Models of Disability Explained by Judith Butler
Impairment versus Disability
Impairment is a physical disability by medical definition, one's own unique embodiment.
Whereas disability is the social repression of disabled people. The disabled have limited housing options, no career opportunities, and suffer from social isolation. Disability in other words is the disabling effects of society.
Teach out slide presentation
Teach out, speak out
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Teach out, speak out
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Thomas Hehir's article "Eliminating Ableism in Education" examines the idea of ableism in educational settings and suggests ...