Deconstructing Disability

Ways To Reteach Disability

·      Teach “difference”- differences are viewed subjectively. Compare and contrast how the non-disabled and the disabled view “disability”. Use documentary video and films to demonstrate perspectives.

·      Discuss disability-related language- avoid putting down disability by using phrases such as “That’s retarded”, “are you deaf?”.

·      Contemplate disability as a minority label

·      Study the meaning of the words “able” and “disabled”.

·      Teach the history of people with disabilities, including the disability rights movement

·      Analyze stereotypes of “good guys” and “bad guys”-portraying certain disabilities as indicators.

·      Critique representations of disability in films, literature and cartoons

·      Use progressive representation of disability in film and literature

·      Reinterpret representations of disability in children’s literature

·      Use literature designed to help students understand themselves- All Kinds of Minds, Keeping Ahead in School

·      Use the arts to focus on the humanity of the human

·      Assign research projects-students conduct interviews to gain perspective

The Need for a Plurality of Perspectives on Disability

Disability as a civil rights issue has received considerably less public attention than race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Despite the fact that people with disabilities make up fifteen percent of the population.

 Areas of disagreement in the filed of Special Education:

	Incrementalists	Reconceptualists
Conceptualizations of Disability	A deficit exists-something to fix	Social construct
Purpose of Special Education	Change individual through performance-enhancing interventions	Focus more on changing environmental limitations
Expected Outcomes of Special Ed	Students adapt for post school world	Eliminate labels and stigma
Current State of Knowledge about SpEd Practice	Current practices are promising	Current knowledge is limited and inadequate
Necessary Steps fpr Improving SpEd	Continue using scientifically proven practices i.e interventions and strategies	Change the current methods and seek more self-reflective, ethical methods

Disability as a Social Phenomenon:

·      What is disability?

o   Impairment vs Disability: “variations that exist in human behavior, appearance, functioning, sensory acuity, and cognitive processing” vs the product

of social, political, economic, and cultural practice.

Representation in Children's Literature

Things to lookout for and Avoid/Address:

How is disability used? 

·      As a diversion, by the by

Does the book take a medical or social perspective?

·      Most approach disability as a problem

What message is given?

·      They fall into one of 2 categories: angry or out to conquer the world

How real are the disabled characters and lifestyles

·      Not very real. Very limited, dependent roles

What languages and images are used?

·      Reinforce the central stereotypes

How does the book portray related issues including race, sex and sexuality

·      Most are white, middle aged, heterosexual men

What is the Author’s experience with disability

·      Non-disabled have to imagine what it feels like