Hi Dennis,
as a non-disabled PhD researcher in the field of disability studies/media
studies, I would make the point that the issues surrounding disability are
far-reaching and, more often than not, separated off from the mainstream
rather like disabled people themselves. This gives a false impression that
the area is of limited concern to "ordinary" people. In my view, everyone
should have some education in this area. From my particular perspective, the
issues of representation I deal with apply across the board, and impact also
on issues of gender, sexuality and ethnicity. There are no disabled
lecturers in my department, and yet there is a wide interest in my research
and, hopefully, the potential inclusion of lectures around the subject in
undergrad modules. It is also the case that many students who do not have
disabilities themselves have an interest in the area either for academic
reasons, or because they have a friend or family member with a disability. I
think the figure is something like 15% of the population have a disability
of some kind. Also, what about "hidden" impairments? Hope this helps,
Lynne
> ----------
> From: Dennis Lang
> Reply To: Dennis Lang
> Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2000 10:31 pm
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Dis. studies advice
>
> To those that do from one trying to make others do. I need some strategy
> advice.
>
> I'm a non academic person with a disability trying to stimulate the
> formation of the disability studies program based on the social model of
> disability at the University of Washington, Seattle. I have a "Interest
> committee "consisting of 14 faculty and staff (and one student with a
> disability) from various graduates and undergraduates departments. The
> co-chairs of the committee disagree on how to proceed. One feels that
> there
> is not enough students with disabilities involved and is not sure of the
> market for a disability studies program. (The University has approximately
> 30,000 students. ) She wants to study the issue and do surveys. The other
> chair wants to move forward and first create disabilities studies content
> in
> the existing curriculum while working towards new courses and the
> development of the undergraduate major.
> I'd definitely feel the need for more involvement by students with
> disabilities and I'm continuing to work on this issue but I'm concerned by
> the potential momentum killer of the "study and survey"approach. Should I
> be worried about a potential market? Or is this a case of "if you build it
> ,
> they will come?"
> Advice please.
>
> Dennis Lang
>
>
>
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