31 Aug Discussion: Perspectives on Disabilities
Discussion: Perspectives on Disabilities
Crippled, helpless, useless, wrecked, stalled, maimed, wounded, lame. In the video, Aimee Mullins: The Opportunity of Adversity, advocate Aimee Mullins quotes these synonyms for disabled from the 1982 Websters New World Thesaurus. What image do these words conjure for you? What do these words say about public thinking on people with disabilities? Does that thinking remain today?
In this Discussion, you trace the treatment of individuals with disabilities from the 19th century to the enactment of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and beyond. You also consider whether the 19th century public mindset on disabilities has evolved in any way.
To Prepare: Watch the Aimee Mullins video listed in the Learning Resources. Refer to Chapters 6 and 7 of the course text to remind yourself of 19th-century perspectives on disabilities.
By Day 3
Post a response to the following:
- Identify at least one way individuals living with a disability were treated in the 19th century.
- Identify and explain two principles of the ADA.
- Explain two ways in which these principles of the ADA address the 19th-century perspectives on individuals living with a disability.
Or - Explain two ways in which historic perspectives on individuals living with a disability persist despite the ADA.
