Please note that this response is not that of a philosopher, but rather, a
pretty nuts-and-bolts kind of guy--professionally speaking, an adaptive
computer technologist. Ordinarily, I tend to view issues and situations as
an extreme pragmatist. Thus, on the one hand, the logic of wanting an
individual with a disability to fill this position seems perfectly logical.
Does, however, this absolute restriction of the opportunity to people with
disabilities feed into the pervasive attitude that individuals with
disabilities are to be treated or regarded differently? In other words, is
this practice of so boldly and explicitly limiting the position to an
individual with a disability congruent with prevailing models of inclusion,
and focus on ABILITY vs. disability, etc.? This type of positioning, it
seems, further runs the risk of being perceived as "reverse discrimination"
- much as has been the case with racial/ethnic affirmative action policies.
On the one hand, I absolutely applaud this position and the work so
entailed! Moreover, I well understand the imperative that such a position
be filled by someone highly sensitized to the issues surrounding the setting
and the position. It appears a near no-brainer that one would be hard
pressed to find applicants with the required level of sensitivity and
awareness as would likely hold true for otherwise qualified individuals who
also have a disability. Nonetheless, and on the other hand, any scenario
which becomes an "us" and "them" issue just rubs me the wrong way. Extreme
restrictions or positioning in any direction does not seem conducive to a
more inclusive world.
Respectfully and warm wishes!
Bill Carnagey
SMSU-Springfield, Missouri
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Priestley
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 10:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Another job in Leeds?
JOB VACANCY
LEEDS CENTRE FOR INTEGRATED LIVING
Disability Equality Trainer
Grade 23 - Salary stlg15,198 Pro rata 18.5
hours
2 Year Fixed Contract
Leeds Centre for Integrated Living are looking
for a
disabled person to deliver the core of its
disability
equality training as part of DETNET (the
disability
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