Gen S420 S2020 Assignment #5: Disability Culture Plunge ✓ Solved

Gen S420 S2020 Assignment #5: DISABILITY CULTURE PLUNGE 20 points

A culture plunge can be defined as exposure to a culture that is different from our own and, in this class specifically, the culture of disability. You are required to engage with individuals who identify as being a part of the Disability Community. You are expected to be respectful and thoughtful with the different organizations and people you come across. This is not an opportunity for you to be inspired by an individual's ability to do day-to-day tasks. It is an opportunity for you to discover how people with disabilities must adapt their lives in order to integrate into their communities.

You will be expected to discover what actually disables them and what provides them with access. Although you may be serving your community at your disability culture plunge event, this is not for the purpose of community service credit. The purpose is to immerse yourself into a culture with which you were previously unfamiliar and to learn from the people of that culture. Major criteria include that the majority of participants should identify as disabled, that the plunge must be a new experience, focus on qualitative interactions, and that the plunge lasts at least one hour.

Ideas for Valuable Culture Plunge Opportunities include local Disability and LGBTQIA+ organizations, the farming community, mental illness and different ethnic groups, and adaptive sports opportunities.

Content Requirements:

1. About the Organization/Activity/Event/Person (2.5 points)
2. Reflection (15 points)
3. 4 Photos (2.5 points)

Responses must be in essay/paragraph format and adhere to specified formatting guidelines.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Disability Culture Plunge assignment presents a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the culture of disability, challenging preconceived notions and biases while fostering a deeper understanding of the experiences of individuals within this community. This paper endeavors to encapsulate my experiences during the plunge while reflecting on the broader implications for understanding disabilities within societal contexts.

About the Organization/Activity/Event/Person

For my Disability Culture Plunge, I attended an event organized by a local disability advocacy group, "Empower Abilities," located in San Diego, California. The Culture Plunge took place on October 15, 2023. Empower Abilities is dedicated to promoting the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities through community engagement and educational outreach initiatives (www.empowerabilities.org). The contact person for this event was Sarah Adams, the program coordinator, who can be reached at sarah@empowerabilities.org.

During my time at the event, I participated in a series of interactive workshops that focused on the various adaptations and technologies that individuals with disabilities utilize to navigate their daily lives. The participants represented a diverse spectrum of disabilities, including physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. One stroke of insight emerged during a panel discussion where participants shared their personal stories and discussed the barriers they face in attaining equal access in public spaces and social experiences.

Reflection

A. Initial Biases and Stigmas: Before participating in the Disability Culture Plunge, my understanding of disabilities was predominantly shaped by societal stereotypes and media portrayals, which often depicted individuals with disabilities as either tragic figures or sources of inspiration. Engaging directly with members of the disability community challenged these biases, as I witnessed firsthand the agency, resilience, and aspirations of these individuals. The event underscored that disabilities do not define a person's identity; rather, it is the societal structures that often hinder their full participation in life.

B. Social Model vs. Medical Model of Disability: This experience strongly relates to the social model of disability, which posits that disability is primarily a matter of social barriers rather than solely a medical problem. The conversations I had with individuals highlighted how they navigate a world that frequently overlooks their needs, showcasing the importance of societal change in creating inclusive environments. In contrast, the medical model, which views disability through a clinical lens focused on diagnosis and treatment, was less prevalent in discussions, demonstrating a shift towards recognizing the sociocultural dimensions of disability.

C. Concepts from the Course: Two major concepts from the course that were particularly relevant to my experience were "access" and "inclusion." Throughout the Culture Plunge, the discussions highlighted that true access goes beyond physical accommodations; it encompasses the need for attitudinal changes in society. Inclusion was portrayed as a shared responsibility, requiring active engagement and advocacy from all community members to foster environments where individuals with disabilities can thrive.

D. Accommodations and Assistive Technologies: During the workshops, it was enlightening to see various assistive technologies in action—such as adaptive wheelchairs and augmented communication devices. However, I also noted areas lacking in accommodation, such as insufficient ramps and unclear signage, which could have further enhanced access. The event emphasized that inclusive design should be a normative practice rather than an afterthought.

E. Future Contributions: Having engaged with the disability community, I now recognize the role I can play in advocating for inclusive practices within my future professional endeavors. My commitment extends beyond mere acknowledgment of differences; I aim to contribute actively to the dismantling of barriers and to create spaces that promote diversity and inclusion. Similarly, I foresee that individuals with disabilities will enrich my life with their perspectives, creativity, and tenacity, promoting mutual growth and understanding.

F. Altered Perspectives: Finally, throughout my time in GS420, discussions around the constructs of ableism and the importance of respecting the dignity of individuals with disabilities profoundly shifted my views. The Disability Culture Plunge reaffirmed these insights, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the inherent worth of every individual. This perspective shift is paramount not only in my academic pursuits but also in my personal philosophy towards inclusivity.

Photos

On the fourth page, I will include all four photos taken during the event: one of myself actively participating in a workshop, and three additional photos showcasing various aspects of the event, with accompanying captions that contextualize each image while respecting the privacy of participants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Disability Culture Plunge was an invaluable experience that not only exposed me to the realities of life within the disability community but also prompted critical reflections on my understanding of disability itself. Engaging with individuals who experience disability firsthand has transformed my biases into a commitment to advocacy and inclusivity, ensuring that the lessons learned from this experience will resonate well beyond my time in the course.

References

• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
• Oliver, M. (1996). Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice.
• Barnes, C., & Mercer, G. (2005). Disability, Policy and Practice.
• Thomas, C. (2004). "Developing the Social Model of Disability." Disability & Society.
• Devlin, R. A., & Pothier, D. (2006). "Disability, Diversity and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms." The Canadian Journal of Law and Society.
• Finkelstein, V. (1998). "The Social Model of Disability Reconsidered."
• Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF). Retrieved from www.dredf.org.
• United Nations (2006). "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."
• Shakespeare, T. (2006). "The Social Model of Disability." In The Disability Studies Reader.
• National Council on Disability (2019). "National Disability Policy: A Progress Report."