I am in a state of despair having read all of the various SPED 330 Final
Reflection papers as some of the vocabulary used is offensive.
The word 'sufferer' is often used as in "suffers from." which immediately
places the disabled person in the 'sick role' to be passive and submissive
in relation to their disability. 'Handicapped' is used to describe a person
with disabilities. In America the disabled person drives a handicapped car,
parks in a handicapped bay, and displays on their number plate a handicapped
badge. There is a need to distinguish between 'handicapped' and 'disabled'.
As a disabled person I am handicapped by the attitude of others, handicapped
by inaccessible places but in myself I am not handicapped as I will not
allow my disability to handicap me.
These students do not appear to understand the difference between physical
disability and impairment. A person can be physically disabled and also
impaired as in hearing impaired or visually impaired nor are hidden
disabilities discussed. Another word liberally used in their text is 'help'
which assumes they now know all the answers to disability and will act in
the best interests of the disabled person. Surely their role is one of
support to 'enable' and 'facilitate' walking alongside the disabled person
to achieve self determination finding their own true potential. Nowhere do
I read 'empowerment' of the disabled person.
It is unclear how these students are going to handle multi-oppression. The
person of colour who is disabled or the person of colour who is disabled and
is also gay/lesbian/ bisexual. Do these students understand the meaning of
'disablism', 'racism', 'sexism'. 'ageism' and 'homophobia' and how these can
interact against one or the other. I also read, which frightens me, the
declaration of being 'Christian' so how does their religious values and
belief systems ultimately affect their eventual intervention particularly in
the playground where the odd one out is usually bullied by their peers
generating low self esteem and confidence issues. Therefore is Inclusive
Education the right answer as some now doubt this.
A little knowledge is dangerous springs to mind so I do not feel the
facilitator of this course should be congratulated as the content, to date,
can cause more harm than good.
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