7.6: Bias and Ability
Notions of disability are similarly socially constructed within the context of ableist power relations. The medical model of disability frames body and mind differences and perceived challenges as flaws that need fixing at the individual level. The social model of disability shifts the focus to the disabling aspects of society for individuals with impairments (physical, sensory or mental differences), where the society disables those with impairments (Shakespeare 2006). Disability, then, refers to a form of oppression where individuals understood as having impairments are imagined to be inferior to those without impairments, and impairments are devalued and unwanted. This perspective manifests in structural arrangements that limit access for those with impairments. A critical disability perspective critiques the idea that non-disability is natural and normal—an ableist sentiment, which frames the person, rather than the society as the problem.
“To me, disability is not a monolith, nor is it a clear-cut binary of disabled and nondisabled. Disability is mutable and ever evolving. Disability is both apparent and non-apparent. Disability is pain, struggle, brilliance, abundance and joy”
-Alice Wong, Founder of the Disability Visibility Project
One way to discriminate is erasure. With regard to sexuality, ableist bias leads to the decentering of people with disabilities as sexual beings. The sexual scripts we learn are very rarely open and inclusive to all people, and so we create ideas about sexuality that fall within a very narrow margin. Certain people have sex; they do it in a certain way, and that is the right way. Well, we know that is nonsense, but sometimes it is important to be reminded of this. The following web program is a joyful celebration of diversity in sexuality and pleasure. (Dancing at the end!)
In this talk, Disability + Pleasure Activism Claudia Alick and adrienne maree brown explore the intersection of disability justice, pleasure and liberation. Come for the real talk on activism, pleasure and disability.
Hosted by Disability Visibility Project + Integrated Community Services.
Follow this link for a video description and transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q...
For more from these amazing thought leaders:
Claudia Alick: http://www.claudiaalick.com/
adrienne maree brown: http://adriennemareebrown.net/
Alice Wong: https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/