This is an interesting discussion. I am one person who is against the notion of
'independent'. I prefer the term 'interdependent' since we all depend on each
other. Hence to expect that disabled people should be independent is to dispute
the concept of 'ubuntu'. I am what I am because of other people. This is the way
to go. I am still yet to see an independent person. In any case, what is
independence? Is anyone independent. We rely on other people in order to fulfill
our own obligations. Kate has itemised some of them. Even to go on a trip, one
has to rely on visa coming on time; the taxi driver coming on time; the mood
of immigration official, and the pilot taking them from point A to B. The
concept of ubuntu suggests that we are all here because of other people, and
therefore we should embrace and celebrate diversity.
Tsitsi
On 2 November 2012 06:00, Judy Mckenzie <[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
__
This is a really critical topic and seems to find itself at odds with much
of the human rights rhetoric around disability. This is unfortunate as care
and dependency are real issues for everybody. I think Kittay's work provides
a good framework for thinking about this within the broader theories of an
ethics of care.
Eva Feder Kittay (1999) Loves Labor. Routledge. New York. I would love to
hear from others on the list who are using this approach.
Judy
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From: * Kate Kaul <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
*Sender: * The Disability-Research Discussion List
<[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
*Date: *Thu, 1 Nov 2012 18:55:49 -0400
*To: *<[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
*ReplyTo: * Kate Kaul <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
*Subject: *Re: independence / interdependence
I would take this further; today, for example, I relied on city workers to
clean up storm debris, municipal workers to maintain (kind of) the road I
bump my cargo trike along, a teacher and school staff to care for my
six-year-old, the staff of a Y facility to run the facility and to care for
my one-year-old while my partner exercised, the invisible actions of
various service providers to keep me online, connected by telephone and
setup with electricity, water and gas here at my home -- and on and on.
It's obvious and largely accepted that different people need different
levels of some public services; other people pay a lot to educate my son,
for example. It's interesting where people decide to draw the line and how
sure so many people are about drawing it.
regards,
Kate
----- Original Message -----
*From:* LILITH Finkler <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
*To:* [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
*Sent:* Thursday, November 01, 2012 6:07 PM
*Subject:* independence / interdependence
Dear Colleagues; Can anyone suggest a critique of the notion of
"independence" vis a vis
disability? To me, it seems unfair to presume that disabled persons be
"independent"
when many non-disabled persons "depend" on house cleaners, nannies,
gardeners,
butlers, an entire assortment of "assistants". Any thoughts? Thanks, Lilith
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--
Dr Tsitsi Chataika
Department of Educational Foundations
University of Zimbabwe
Faculty of Education
P.O. Box MP167, Mt Pleasant
Harare, Zimbabwe
Work: +263 (0)4 303 211 Ext. 16061
Home: +263 (0) 844 660 720
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*Quote: It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what
are we busy about? - Henry David Thorea*
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