Rethink Disabilities Summary

In Nancy Mairs’ article for The New York Times, “Disability”, published in 1987, she expresses her distaste with the media's representation of handicapped people. Mairs, who struggled with multiple sclerosis herself, clearly and sharply conveys this disgust by stating, “I’m not, for instance, Ms. MS, a walking, talking embodiment of a chronic incurable degenerative disease.” (Mairs 13), and that she is actually, “the advertisers’ dream: Ms. Great American Consumer. And yet the advertisers, who determine nowadays who will get represented publicly and who will not, deny the existence of me and my kind absolutely”(Mairs 14). Mairs is greatly upset that disabled people are defined by their disabilities and, therefore, are underrepresented in public media. This might lead to one asking themselves, but why are they? And the answer, according to Mairs, is quite simple, “To depict disabled people in the ordinary activities of daily life is to admit that there is something ordinary about disability itself, that it may enter anybody’s life”(Mairs 14). Mairs concludes by pointing out how this effacement could have dangerous consequences for both disabled people and, as she called everyone else, TAPs (Temporarily Abled Persons) alike. Treating disabilities as an abnormal characteristic (as opposed to viewing them “as a normal characteristic, one that complicates but does not ruin human existence” (Mairs 15)) can cause one of these repercussions, as it makes the

In the realm of critical disability studies (CDS), it is interesting to explore how the field of CDS explores the lived experience and collaboration of the disabled and non-disabled researchers that are creating the CDS literature itself. Tregaskis and Goodley uncovered the importance of recognizing this in their work on the collaboration of disabled and non-disabled researchers in CDS (2005). Tregaskis and Goodley highlight barriers that these relationships may present to the research, and identify the role that interdependence has among all CDS researchers. Interdependence among the disabled and non-disabled aims to create a foundation of equality and trust. By focusing on the commonalities and the unity of the two parties working to the

Author of disability Nancy Mairs who’s a feminist and a cripple, has accomplished a lot in writing and teaching. Her remarkable personality shows in many of her essays especially in Disability which was first published in 1987 in the New York Times. In this essay, Nancy Mairs shows how disabled people are constantly excluded, especially from the media. By giving out facts and including her personal experiences, Mairs aims for making some changes regarding the relationship between the media and people with disabilities. Mairs thesis is shown implicitly in the first

The article “introducing disability Studies” by Ronald J. Berger was an eye opener in uncovering the past history of negative stigma associated with having a disability. Through history people have felt the need to stare at people with disabilities or to turn away in fear of maybe contracting the “disease”. This negative attitude was positively reinforced by ordinances such as the Chicago “ugly law” in which a person with physical deformities would have to pay a fine for simply being too “disgusting” looking to other citizens. This law was in place from 1880 to 1973, which is pretty recent in history. However there are positive glimpse in history when it came to uncovering and defining disabilities. Men like Leo Kanner and Asperger have dedicated

Author of disability Nancy Mairs who’s a feminist and a cripple, has accomplished a lot in writing and teaching. Her remarkable personality shows in many of her essays especially in Disability which was first published in 1987 in the New York Times. In this essay, Nancy Mairs shows how disabled people are constantly excluded, especially from the media. By giving out facts and including her personal experiences, Mairs aims for making some changes regarding the relationship between the media and people with disabilities. Mairs thesis is shown implicitly in the first and last

Cheryl Jorgensen, the work of a scientist-philosopher named Thomas Kuhn in 1962 is referenced regarding disability and competence where Kuhn stated that, “intelligence … can be reliably measured… mental retardation is defined as low levels of intelligence… [these students] … can’t learn much general education content… we aren’t sure that students know, understand, can learn, or have something to say, we presume that they don’t, can’t, and probably never will” (2005, p. 5). Dr. Jorgensen refutes this theory and goes on to support it by citing other works on research suggesting that students with disabilities have shown greater progress when they are challenged with high expectations and good, supportive, nurturing instruction. “Children learn best when they feel valued, when people hold high expectations for them, and when they are taught and supported well” (2005, p.

The DPAN performance video is more effective then Disability written by Nancy Mairs. Every actor shows an emotion of hope as to one man can really change the world. The physical gestures that each actor expresses through sign language expresses more than words could ever say or describe. They want the “deaf community” to not be segregated based on their hearing disabilities. The media makes people with hearing disabilities feel as they are unable to do things that those without disabilities can do. There is a part in the video were a judge is yelling at someone who cannot hear and it is uncalled for, because a judge would not yell at a person without those hearing disabilities. There are many quotes presented towards the end of the video, for

…“Children with disabilities should be educated in the most open and normal environment possible (the least restrictive environment); when needed, evaluations, diagnose, and treatments should be done without stigmatization and discrimination.”… (Pg. 176)

"If the technology became available for the deaf to hear completely, would you want your deaf child to have this technology?" It is every parent 's dream for their child to grow up healthy and happy. There are so many children in the world that do not have the ability to hear, and it is a horrible thing. Many would think it wrong for a parent to not want to give their child the gift of sight. If I had a child that was deaf, I would do everything in my power to help them get their hearing. If the technology was there to fix this disability, why wouldn 't anyone want their child to have it? "840 babies are born with a permanent hearing loss every year."(NDCS of UK). This is a horrible number to hear, that so many children will never

For the purpose of this research, 6 sheltered workshops and 6 open employment agencies registered to SG Enable have been approached to participant in this survey. This research will also perform as a Key Performance Index (KPI) for the individual organisations on the fulfilment of their services or lack of. The approximate number of PWDs’ participation that are selected by the research team is 20 PWDs or caregivers per sheltered workshop and open employment. A total of 240 participants are expected to join this research and 90% of 240 are projected to administer the full survey.

Due to one’s own experiences and writing style, each other has their own intention with various strengths and weaknesses when conveying information to the reader. Carolyn S. Stevens’ Disability in Japan is a great example of this, as Stevens has a wonderfully large knowledge of how the impaired are treated within Japanese society. It is clear that Stevens wishes to inform the reader about the various ways in which society deems and treats someone as disabled through established social constructs rather than their impairment making them disabled. Similar ideas can be found with in other works that compose of the impairment of an individual in Japan. Stevens work in Disability in Japan is astounding, as she is able to convey so much information/ meaning in a very clear and concise way. However her texts lack a source of captivation in the reader, as her sentences are extremely dry and can be hard to read in long sessions. These cons however, cannot be said of Otokoe Hirotada’s No One’s Perfect.

Prior to the course, Perspectives on disability, my understanding of disability was a fundamental, concept of disability, in which I knew it existed, and also have seen and interacted with people considered to have a disability. I never took a deep look at all the social and political factors that exist within the spectrum of disability. This course has allowed me to examine all aspects of disability, which has changed my view and approach of what a disability is and how it is viewed. "Historically, disability has been viewed fundamentally as a persoal tragedy, which has resulted in diasbled people being seen as objects of pity or in need of charity. They have been subject to descriminatory policies and practices in which the predominant images of passivity and helplesness reinforced their inferior status"(Barton 4). Uncovering the framework of disability, by studying the historical, soicial political and educational standpoint, I see the intricacies in which gives me a greater understanding and awareness of the topic.

Several years after Congress took steps to guarantee equal access for the disabled at the voting polls, studies showed that in the United States “during the 2012 election cycle, 1 in 5 voters with disabilities said they were kept from casting their ballot on their own and more than half said they encountered hurdles” (Heasley). Disabilities can be defined as an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, intellectual, mental, sensory, developmental, or a combination of impairments that causes restrictions on an individual’s ability to participate in society. With an ongoing problem in society as great as this, many began to question how such an impactful issue can be resolved. How does one’s disability affect their political participation within society? How do one’s disabilities even interfere with their ability to cast their vote in elections? How can one take steps to further improve one’s political participation whether they have physical, mental, or psychosocial disabilities?

What does your disability look like? What is the type, severity, and physical descriptions of your disability? Be sure to include physical and/or mental components here. The more detailed, the better.

From just a glance my education seems like nothing out of the ordinary. I grew up in a nice, suburban town with a great public-school system. I took mostly honors and advanced placement classes throughout my high school career and exceled at them. I was never the smartest in my grade, but my academic performance was never something that one should be ashamed about. On paper, I appeared to be a normal, well performing student. Except that wasn’t the case. In first grade, I was diagnosed with ADHD. This didn’t come as a surprise to my parents or my pediatrician, but it did stir up questions regarding the affect my disability would have on my personal and academic life. Some of the affects were already appearing in the classroom. Sitting still at my desk was a near impossibility. Almost as impossible as completing all my work on time. I was already falling behind and it was only first grade. Concerned my mom went to the school to see what they could do.