Beth
I am not sure if the author of the article "Disabling the Environment: A Classroom Activity to Help Students Understand the Social Model of Disability" really understands the social model.
The first paragraph goes on to state: ' The task of addressing the historical, political, and social issues pertaining to individuals with disabilities may be somewhat intimidating for many instructors........'.
Could Black people be described as being 'individuals with racisms?' ? Could women be described as 'individuals with sexisms'?
The main point about racism, sexism and disability is that the oppressor is making generalisation about a group of people, hence the discrimination.
Although short women might face a slightly different form of sexism to tall women, it doesn't mean there are two types of sexisms.
To use the word 'disability' in it's historical context 'dis' = Greek meaning 'without' and 'ability' meaning LEGAL-Ability.
In the Middle Ages people with physical impairments (caused by Leprosy) were made disabled by having all legal rights removed from them in Christian countries. A funeral service was performed on them while they were alive, at the end of the service their property was divided up and given away. Then they were locked up for the rest of their lives.
'Able-bodied' just means that you could be press ganged into the Royal Navy and has no significance in relation to the word 'disability'. The stale biscuits were no good either.....
Please don's confuse disability with 'impairment'.
I consider disability to be phobic in human origin, The exercise outlined could add to the problem. Pupils learned about their 'fear, anger and frustration'. I fear that this exercise adds to any negative projection they might already have. Disability is not a challenge to 'test' people. Nor is racism a challenge to 'test' Black people.
Having disabled teachers and fellow pupils with impairments in a fully accessible school would certainly lead to a greater understanding.
Civilisation began when Neanderthals started to support physically impaired members of their community. Support for physically impaired Neanderthals assisted in their development of language and in turn our ancestors. Removing the chains of disability from society can only add to the positive progress humanity.
Keith
On Tue, 30 Apr 2002 21:20:07 -0400
"Ferri, Beth" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello all
>
> A former student who is now teaching at a university in CA just sent me this
> link for an alternative activity that she does with her students that puts
> the focus on inaccessible classroom environments rather than "defective"
> students. Here's the link for the article where she describes the activity:
>
> http://www.exchangesjournal.org/classroom/1097_Schell_pg1.html
>
> I'd love to hear what you think.
>
> beth
>
> .
> Beth A. Ferri, Ph.D.
> Assistant Professor
> Dept. of Curriculum and Teaching
> Programs in Learning dis/Abilities
> Teachers College, Columbia University
--
Have you been to:
< http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Absolutely_Visual >
< http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BeforeAscii_ART >
< http://groups.yahoo.com/group/disabilitystudies >
< http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Art_in_Context >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thecurrentwar/>
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