Analysis of Resources
Analysis of resources
Many of the websites are devoted to helping people living with disabilities. Today in class we discussed the natures of the powers that dictate our lives. In our small groups we discussed the good intentions that people have in assisting with those living with a disability or those who cannot take care of themselves anymore; such as in nursing homes or group homes. But we also discussed the disconnect that society and the church have with people living with disabilities. A high percentage people living with disabilities many times feels marginalized and neglected as a whole because our culture is not socialized properly to know how to react to a person living with a disability.
The theme to my overall findings is to describe the background of ableism. I desire to provide information about ableism as well as giving providing the response of the government of the United States to people living with a disability. I also want to look at the personal lives of people living with disabilities and how they cope with their struggles. The University of Vermont has described ableism on their race and culture website as, “stereotyping, negative attitudes, and discrimination toward people based on a physical or mental disability resulting in discrimination and/or prejudice.” I located the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website. The ADA is a document that is very important in the discussion of ableism. It gives background information on why it was signed into law. The act prohibits discrimination against people living with a disability in employment, public service, public accommodations, and telecommunications. The Freedom Initiative signed by President George W. Bush expanded on the ADA. In 2001 this initiative helped further education and employment opportunities with assistive technology. It will be interesting to look back over time to see if the ADA really accomplishes what it set out to accomplish.
I also wanted to demonstrate that people living with a disability are doing great things to share it with others in their lives. Take for example Alison Lapper who is an accomplished visual artist in photography and painting. She was born with out any arms and shortened legs a chromosomal condition called, Phocomelia. She paints with her mouth or feet. Recently she has been featured in articles because Marc Quinn has completed a 13 ton sculpture of her and it is Trafalgar square in London. She says in the 24 Hour Museum article, “It is so rare to see disability in everyday life – let alone naked, pregnant and proud. The sculpture makes the ultimate statement about disability – that it can be as beautiful and valid a form of being as any other.” People living with disabilities can demonstrate their able-bodiness in so many ways, instead of focusing on their disability. Another example of taking pride in able-bodiness is Joni Eareckson Tada. She is created a ministry and is an advocate for reaching people living with disabilities I think that it is important to demonstrate the perseverance that people have when they have struggles. It is vital for our research to understand that strength can come from struggles. These two women exude strength and have over come the stigma of being disabled.
I hope with these resources we will be able to examine the flaws of our culture as it pertains to acceptance of those living with disabilities.
Many of the websites are devoted to helping people living with disabilities. Today in class we discussed the natures of the powers that dictate our lives. In our small groups we discussed the good intentions that people have in assisting with those living with a disability or those who cannot take care of themselves anymore; such as in nursing homes or group homes. But we also discussed the disconnect that society and the church have with people living with disabilities. A high percentage people living with disabilities many times feels marginalized and neglected as a whole because our culture is not socialized properly to know how to react to a person living with a disability.
The theme to my overall findings is to describe the background of ableism. I desire to provide information about ableism as well as giving providing the response of the government of the United States to people living with a disability. I also want to look at the personal lives of people living with disabilities and how they cope with their struggles. The University of Vermont has described ableism on their race and culture website as, “stereotyping, negative attitudes, and discrimination toward people based on a physical or mental disability resulting in discrimination and/or prejudice.” I located the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website. The ADA is a document that is very important in the discussion of ableism. It gives background information on why it was signed into law. The act prohibits discrimination against people living with a disability in employment, public service, public accommodations, and telecommunications. The Freedom Initiative signed by President George W. Bush expanded on the ADA. In 2001 this initiative helped further education and employment opportunities with assistive technology. It will be interesting to look back over time to see if the ADA really accomplishes what it set out to accomplish.
I also wanted to demonstrate that people living with a disability are doing great things to share it with others in their lives. Take for example Alison Lapper who is an accomplished visual artist in photography and painting. She was born with out any arms and shortened legs a chromosomal condition called, Phocomelia. She paints with her mouth or feet. Recently she has been featured in articles because Marc Quinn has completed a 13 ton sculpture of her and it is Trafalgar square in London. She says in the 24 Hour Museum article, “It is so rare to see disability in everyday life – let alone naked, pregnant and proud. The sculpture makes the ultimate statement about disability – that it can be as beautiful and valid a form of being as any other.” People living with disabilities can demonstrate their able-bodiness in so many ways, instead of focusing on their disability. Another example of taking pride in able-bodiness is Joni Eareckson Tada. She is created a ministry and is an advocate for reaching people living with disabilities I think that it is important to demonstrate the perseverance that people have when they have struggles. It is vital for our research to understand that strength can come from struggles. These two women exude strength and have over come the stigma of being disabled.
I hope with these resources we will be able to examine the flaws of our culture as it pertains to acceptance of those living with disabilities.
posted by Katrina @ 11:29 PM
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