Comments on: Blogging Against Disablism: On Assuming Impairment

By: Alliances « Chroanagram

Alliances « Chroanagram — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:30:28 +0000

[...] want to take (and not to be treated badly for choosing that). They also need to stop being seen as inherently defective or broken (and the trans community needs to stop adding to it. You, too, [...]

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:25:45 +0000

I agree with your sentiments. The way we respond to the accomplishments of people with disabilities, not to mention what we regard as accomplishments, needs to reflect a better understanding and appreciation of people with disabilities as people.

That being said, I find people-first language is problematic as my latest post describes.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sat, 08 May 2010 09:38:32 +0000

I also believe it can change! You are obviously a strong proponent of “person first” language. I think that’s a great start… The media need to stop saying things like “confined to a wheelchair.” As you said, this is victimizing rhetoric resulting from the perception that there is no way the person can live happily with the disability.

I saw a great quote in a documentary that sums it up well: “The desire to live a full life does not warrant admiration.” — So this is a reaction to perceptions of a happy, active person with a disability as a hero for living well “despite” the disability.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 08 May 2010 02:52:14 +0000

Thank you NTE!

Ashley, thank you. I guess that clarifies what disability studies is about for me then. I’d never heard of it before I started blogging here and linking up with a variety of people who blog about neurodiversity. But the social model of disability really makes sense to me.

“What I don’t get is that disabilites are very common…”

While disabilities are common and becoming more come, a lot of people seem to think that in order to be “able” they need to reject the disability label. That is, they don’t identify themselves with disabilities.

Another part of it is that the very concept of disabilities assumes the individual with a disability is unable and has become less because they have been dis-abled. The devaluation is built right into our language. It’s a hard thing to change when the concept is founded so deeply into the worldview held by the majority. But, I believe it can change.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:24:14 +0000

The individual is not impaired because of their physical, mental or psychological difference; the individual is impaired because he or she lacks the accommodations or technologies that would enable him or her to participate effectively. A lack we the people created out of our own ignorance and small-mindedness.

Ah, brilliant! This is the basic teaching of disability studies. put so eloquently too!

Great points that we all need some accommodation. Technology helps us all function at our full potential. Unfortunately many people see disability related accommodations as giving people with disabilities an unfair advantage, when really it levels the playing field to give people with disabilities the resources to live full, active lives.

What I don’t get is that disabilites are very common — and becoming more common with the number of seniors increasing. Yet most societies seem resistant to making environments more liveable.

The built environment is constructed with the belief that those with physical disabilities will likely not participate either because they won’t want to or be able to. This is why lecterns and desks in lecture halls are often inaccessible. A professor with a mobility issue?! Who would have thought!

By: NTE

NTE — Fri, 07 May 2010 02:19:33 +0000

This is an amazing sentiment. Perfect. Just a fabulous post!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:53:58 +0000

The accommodations that are becoming available through some organizations are truly amazing, I agree! It just goes to show that when you treat people like people and give them what they need, they can thrive.

We need more of that!

By: seahorse

seahorse — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:19:42 +0000

I agree totally that more needs to be done to enable people with disabilities, but on a positive note I’ve experienced truly excellent support in my studies with the Open University. A disabled students needs assessment led to a laptop, voice recognition technology, a voice recorder and a myriad of lesser items to help with my studies. I got 92 per cent in a linguistics exam and have been achieving top grades because of their help.
If only every organisation out there was as accomodating, think what people with disabilities could do!

By: Blog Against Disablism Day (was… er, ah… yesterday) « The Seedbed

Sun, 02 May 2010 19:42:03 +0000

[...] hosted here at Diary of a Goldfish. I’m making my way through the entries there, and so far this one and have set off Las-Vegas-magnitude numbers of lightbulbs going off in my head. Here, though, [...]