Reflection On Multicultural Experience

Disability has been a difficult topic of society for years. Many people find discomfort in the presence of the disabled and many feel pity for those who are disabled. Back in the 1800s, the disabled were perceived as unable to contribute to society, often forced to undergo sterilization, and forced into institutions and asylums (“A Brief History”). In fact, this treatment of the disabled and mentally ill has been persistent until somewhat recently, when the Civil Rights movement took place, and those with disabilities decided to take a stand for their rights. Although people with disabilities continue to face difficulties in finding jobs, legitimizing their opinion, having the right to vote, and choosing whether or not they receive or refuse

There are many places that do make things wheelchair friendly, and large businesses often have bathrooms a good size for many wheelchairs. At fast food places and such they often have the touch screen soda machines, which have the wheelchair button so that the shorter people can reach. Places like Children's Miracle Network, which helps with expenses. The Make-A-Wish Foundation that maybe doesn't help with ableism, but helps the kids have a happier life. There are ways to help stop ableism as well, such as being sure the disabled are able to get places, and if there's a way to help them out, even if it's something simple, to do those things helps them feel less segregated, and more like the human beings they are. Be careful not to speak to them in a childish voice and to not look at one and say “i can't believe you're out here doing this! If I was you I would be at home sulking.” They are stuck the way they are, not to be an inspiration or depressing, sometimes they just are. There needs to be people standing for those who cannot. To speak for the silent, and listen like the deaf to understand the misunderstood. Then, someday soon, we will not have to worry about

In the United States today, there are over fifty-one million disabled adults and children. Throughout our nation’s history, we have not allowed the best treatment and care for these numerous citizens. But, in the recent past, the government has passed laws, made exceptions, and thoroughly tried to provide accommodations to these people with special needs. While this is true, America, as a whole, still views this group as strange or different. Even though this is exceptionally normal, it is not correct. The United States needs to be opened up to the truth about their fellow American citizens. The people of America ought to understand that these disabilities affect not only those who are disabled, but that it affects the family and friends

People with disabilities are part of the society; Are present in any area of ​​human endeavor. The worst maltreatment suffered by individuals with disabilities is that they are not seen, with exceptions, like any other person. Disability is not a characteristic of the subject, but the result of their individuality in relation to the demands that the environment poses. The type and degree of disability that the person suffers from prevents them from using their resources autonomously, being forced to look for other alternatives to meet his essential needs. People with disabilities, in fact, in everyday life, are not like other people: they have limitations and problems that do not affect ordinary people in the same way. The aspect that matters is that these people, with their limitations, have the right as all to the maximum development of all their potentialities.

In sixteen years of life, I have received an opportunity to experience different cultures, learning styles, and languages. To start of, I am an American since I was born here, but the reality is that I was raised in India. My parents’ main motivation for moving back to India was because they wanted us to embrace our traditions, and most importantly, value our family relationships. We relocated back to the US at the start of 9th grade. This transition was a huge factor for transforming me as a person. I am cognizant of the two systems, cherish both, and realize that these multicultural experiences have encouraged me to grow and mature beyond my years. Relocating from a place is not as easy as one can imagine. When compared to the US, India

The article "Viewing Persons with Disabilities as a Culture" by Dawn O. Braithwaite was published in Kathleen Verderber's book \underline{Voiced: A selection of Multicultural Readings}. Through research and anecdotes, Braithwaite discusses cultural communication between able-bodied persons and persons with disabilities.

My multicultural experiential project consisted of attending multicultural presentations at IVCC and interviewing people of different backgrounds on their experiences with discrimination, with a focus on educational settings in particular. I attended two events in interviewed five people (some for two hours, some for only one), this work totaling in ten hours.

In the world we live in today, many of us criticize or judge others while not noticing it. For instance, when one sees a person with a disability they seem to aid them in any actions they’re taking. Many believe they are committing a good deed, although we are actually thinking of them as an incapable and/or weakened human being therefore we assume its our duty to assist them. In addition, the people’s lack of awareness about the history of people with disabilities are the reason why many of us slack the credentials to realize how we characterize them. Last but not least, the extra effort we make when we see a person with a disability has to be viewed from all perspectives not just one.

In the past, having a disability was seen as a physical imperfection. People with disabilities were treated as moral and social subordinates. We were trained that if a person had a disability they were not able to perform a task with the same ability as a normal person. They have been denied jobs for which they are highly qualified because they have been considered incompetent, or because employers were not comfortable with their presence in the workplace. Occasionally people with certain disabilities have been committed to institutions and facilities because people believed they were incapable of making decisions or caring for themselves or because people did not want to interact with them (Blanck, 2004).

Over the year’s perceptions and attitudes towards people with disabilities have varied from community to community. Approximately 50 million Americans with disabilities today lead independent, confident, and happy lives. There have been many advancements in healthcare and thus, most disabled individuals live within their community rather than an institution. For many centuries people with disabilities have been battling harmful stereotypes, ridiculous assumptions, and fear that they do not fit in.

Disabled people are not often represented in “normal” roles in society, especially in the workforce. Therefore, many people objectify them in the the sense that they are looked at as object of inspiration. (“I am Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much”. Stella Young.)

Another goal of mine is to be able to practice cultural humility, a term I learned in a multiculturalism course in my undergrad. I plan to work with as many populations as I can throughout my career. I have my biases and generalizations of people and I want to be able to address them in a diverse classroom environment before going into the work field. I am most interested in working with and learning about Children, Youth and Women during my advanced year of study. Specifically with adolescents because of my plans to work in the CSEC field.

Stereotypes… they are everywhere nowadays! “Asians speak English with an accent”, “Handicapped people cannot do things as well as people who are physically healthy”. These are not true. The truth is that some Asians speak clearer than people who have English as their mother tongue, just like some handicapped people do some things better than people who are physically healthy. But the people who came out of their shells and stood up for themselves faced many personal challenges in order to make a difference. In source one, “Finding her way”, and source two, “Kylie’s Project”, it is proven that cultural differences and disability misunderstandings can lead to personal challenges.

and curriculum. The discussion of the historical and philosophical background of multicultural education teaches educators how race and culture influence educational policy and programs. Multicultural teaching and curriculum is also crucial for the development of equitable education for diverse students. The author asserts that multicultural education can lessen biases while also furthering democratic beliefs and practices among students. The text’s discussion of multicultural education is significant to the field of multicultural education as it demonstrates how multicultural educational practices help students become culturally literate and prepared for today’s diverse and globalized world.

Over the years, perceptions towards disability have been significantly changing as result of the long pathway the disable community has taken fighting for Civil Rights, inclusion and against discrimination. Unfortunately, this last one has not been totally accomplished yet. Barriers to social integration still exist in the society. Perhaps the greatest barrier is not the disability itself; is the attitude of people.