Missed our first event of the semester? Don’t worry, here are some important highlights! To start, you might be surprised to learn that 1 in 5 Americans has a disability. This means that you have already met, you know, or you are a person with a disability. People with disabilities are the largest minority in the United States. It’s also the only marginalized group you can enter unexpectedly at any time. That being said, it’s important to learn about disability, accessibility, and ableism. Test yourself… Below are a few misconceptions about various disabilities. Decide for yourself if you think they are true or false then test your knowledge by reading the correct answer. The correct term for a parking space for a person with a disability is ‘handicapped space’ False: The term ‘handicap’ comes from a pejorative term used derogatively towards persons with a disability. While many signs still have this outdated terminology, the correct word to use is ‘accessible parking space.’ Deaf people can’t enjoy music False: There are many ways to enjoy music beyond listening to it! There are varying levels of deafness as well. Some people feel the vibration of the sound’s others use other methods, but deaf people can absolutely enjoy music! All people with disabilities want to inspire others False: Some people with disabilities want to inspire others, but others do not. This choice completely depends on the persons’ desires. Don’t assume that all people with disabilities want to inspire us, simply because they have a disability! Some wheelchair users can walk True: There are a myriad of reasons why people use wheelchairs. Some use them for long distances, others on days of particularly bad pain, others use them every day, and there’s plenty more reasons as well! We shouldn’t assume negativity about a person who doesn’t “seem like they need a wheelchair” because we have no idea what’s going on in their life! Who are we to judge? It’s okay to say the word ‘disabled’ sometimes True: ‘Disabled’ is not a bad word, it is a descriptive word that is completely fine to use in some cases. It is always up to the person, though. If someone asks you not to refer to them using that word, then it’s your responsibility to respect their wishes! While the United States has made strides in making sure people with disabilities have equal access to opportunities, we still have a long way to go. Everyday life can be challenging to people with disabilities when the inclusion of their needs is often an after-thought, or even forgotten entirely. For more resources for students with disabilities at GC, go to the Disability Resource Center or call them at 478-445-5931. Our next event of the semester will be on Wednesday, October 2nd. Stay tuned for more information!!
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Diondra FranklinThis DPE will be keeping it 100 every time she takes pen to page, or really fingers to keyboard. Be on the look out every other Saturday for the tea of the week! Archives
February 2020
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