WEEK 7 TAKEAWAYS: ASHLEY PYE

Ashley Pye posted Oct 2, 2023 10:19

Subscribe

Previous
 



Next
 

This page automatically marks posts as read as you scroll.

Adjust automatic marking as read setting

·
In one of the week’s readings, Davis (2015) argues that disability is often left out of discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Why do you think this might be? There are a couple of reasons as to why they are often left out. Adams et al. (2015), mention that these people are often treated as passive and voiceless. Given this perception, it is hard for their voices to be heard and be included in the DEI discussions. Most of us know that some disabilities are less visible compared to other diversity aspects such as race and gender. With these disabilities not being immediately apparent, it leads to a lack of awareness and understanding. Therefore, it becomes hard to have discussions regarding them in the DEI discussions. Another reason could be the stigma of certain disabilities. A couple of years back, I was watching a documentary regarding parents who give birth to mentally and physically disabled children and tend to hide them because of community stigma. Such stigma leads to these people not being able to advocate for their inclusion in DEI efforts. We have been discussing a lot about stereotypes and it still applies to this scenario. Stereotypes about disability persist in society and they can lead to false beliefs that accommodating people with disabilities is unnecessary.

·
What does the term “TAB” (temporarily able-bodied) mean in the context of disability studies? What does this term add to your understanding of disability? Disability can happen to anyone at any time, making it be more fluid than other forms of identity (Adams et al., 2015). With this knowledge, the term TAB arises and refers to the nondisabled who might be disabled at some point. It refers to persons who are currently able-bodied but may become disabled in the future due to illness, injury, or age-related conditions. What “TAB” adds to the understanding of disability is the recognition of its potential universality. It emphasizes that disability is not something experienced only by a specific group; rather, it’s a continuum of experiences that individuals may move in and out of over the course of their lives. 

·
How might the concepts of intersectionality and privilege relate to the experiences of people with disabilities? Please give at least two examples. Intersectionality recognizes that individuals have multiple identities that intersect and influence their experiences. For example, a person with a disability who is also a racial minority may face unique challenges related to both disability discrimination and racial discrimination. When it comes to privilege, people with disabilities have fewer privileges compared to those without. Ridgway (2013) gives a list of these privileges and how they relate to disability. For instance, without a disability, you do not face disability discrimination in the workplace and people do not make fun of you.

REFERENCES

Adams, R., Reiss, B., & Serlin, D. (2015). Disability. In R. Adams, B. Reiss, & D. Serlin (Eds.), Keywords for Disability Studies (pp. 5-11). NYU Press. 

Davis, L. J. (2015). Diversity. In R. Adams, B. Reiss, & D. Serlin (Eds.), Keywords for Disability Studies (pp. 61-64). NYU Press.

Ridgway, S. (2013, March 5). 19 Examples of Ability Privilege. Everyday Feminism.