Ableism happens when society undervalues people with disabilities, treating them as if they should be more like nondisabled people to fit in. Thomas Hehir talks about this harmful mindset in education. He explains how students who are deaf, blind, or have learning differences, like dyslexia, face unfair challenges because of these attitudes. Instead of supporting them with tools like Braille or spell-check, ableism pushes them to conform, holding them back from reaching their potential. These beliefs also reinforce prejudice and limit opportunities like education and employment.
Judith Butler and Sunaura Taylor explore a similar idea in the video "Examined Life." They discuss how society creates the idea of what is "normal," often excluding or limiting people with disabilities. Sunaura points out that this "normal" is just what the majority accepts, and it often leaves disabled people feeling like they don't belong.
To make the world better, we need to challenge these ableist ideas and create spaces where all people are valued for who they are. Supporting individuals with the tools they need and celebrating differences can open up opportunities for everyone. These stories remind us that changing how we think about disability can lead to a more inclusive and fair society for all.
Thanks for hearing me out!
Audrey Pirri
Hi Audrey! I really like how you incorporated the video as well as the article into your post. You did a great job comparing and contrasting them
ReplyDeleteHey! I think you wrote a great blog. I agree with you that "To make a better place we need to challenge these ableist ideas and create spaces where all people are valued for who they are." I think that as teacher it is extremely important that we make sure that are students are enough for being just who they are. We as teachers need to be able to provide a space where our students feel safe and respected.
ReplyDeletegreat blog i like how you also talked about the video and how it related to the reading.
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