Author Type

Faculty

Location

Room 2-078

Start Date

9-11-2018 10:45 AM

End Date

9-11-2018 11:45 AM

Presentation Type

Paper

Abstract

Silence often accompanies topics about disability, sexuality, and gender identity. This panel of Lesley students, alumni, and faculty discuss the issue of silence involving social stigma and ignorance that can often lead to violence against people with disabilities. The panelists participated in an interdisciplinary course, Disability Studies, in which students chose to research these topics for their social action projects and papers. Panelists who see themselves as allies and/or self-identify as disabled share their research, personal experiences, and interviews with the audience to provide insights into some of the systematic exclusion of people with disabilities in these discussions, particularly in K-16 curriculum. Students describe the mistreatment of people with disabilities who were institutionalized and forcibly sterilized in the United States as recently as the 1970s, and the disproportionately high rates of violence perpetuated against women with disabilities compared with nondisabled women (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2018). They also share direct quotes from young adults with intellectual disabilities about their educational experiences as well as describe identity issues at the intersections of disability and gender preferences. This session provides participants with historical and current information, resources, and recommendations for how we might advocate for accessible and meaningful education, inclusive curricula, and safety planning suggestions.

Comments

Since this is a group effort involving research-based presentations and a paper, as well as a proposal for curriculum, we hope you'll allow us to include several panelists of students (some who just graduated) facilitated by the faculty member. We are flexible with the format and could make it a workshop if you prefer. Attached are drafts of the Powerpoint and one of the papers. These will be edited/finalized prior to the conference should our proposal be accepted.

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Nov 9th, 10:45 AM Nov 9th, 11:45 AM

Breaking the Silence: Discussions about Disability, Sex, & Gender Identity

Room 2-078

Silence often accompanies topics about disability, sexuality, and gender identity. This panel of Lesley students, alumni, and faculty discuss the issue of silence involving social stigma and ignorance that can often lead to violence against people with disabilities. The panelists participated in an interdisciplinary course, Disability Studies, in which students chose to research these topics for their social action projects and papers. Panelists who see themselves as allies and/or self-identify as disabled share their research, personal experiences, and interviews with the audience to provide insights into some of the systematic exclusion of people with disabilities in these discussions, particularly in K-16 curriculum. Students describe the mistreatment of people with disabilities who were institutionalized and forcibly sterilized in the United States as recently as the 1970s, and the disproportionately high rates of violence perpetuated against women with disabilities compared with nondisabled women (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2018). They also share direct quotes from young adults with intellectual disabilities about their educational experiences as well as describe identity issues at the intersections of disability and gender preferences. This session provides participants with historical and current information, resources, and recommendations for how we might advocate for accessible and meaningful education, inclusive curricula, and safety planning suggestions.