The Growth of the Disability rights Movement and its Politic
Diversity in the Workplace No Pity, Joseph P. Shapiro No Pity is an eye opening book that looks at the lives of people with disabilities, the culture of various disability groups, the growth of the disability rights movement and its political impact. The author demonstrates how unlike other minority groups people with disabilities have different needs and constituencies, the disability rights movement is a mosaic with diversity as its central characteristic. The book begins with an analysis of the stereotypes that the non-disabled use to view those with disabilities. One can see through Shapiro’s interviews with former poster children how the stereotype oppresses and plays on people’s fears that the same could happen to them. It also becomes clear through the narrative that this discounts the disabled’s own experience and their desire to be accepted as they are. As with other minorities, the disabled have become more sensitized to how they are portrayed in the media and popular culture and this has led to a raised consciousness on this issue. The author goes on to demonstrate how our society automatically underestimates the capabilities of people with disabilities especially in the work place. This . . .
Another very compelling concept in this book is that of offering choices. This book was a revelation to read. This was one of those times when many aspects of a single issue come together on the national stage in a consciousness raising way. Disabled people argued that all they needed was integration and an equal opportunity to achieve. The argument here is that separate but equal, as was also true for racially segregated schools, is not at all equal. The unanswered issue is what happens to the children at the higher end of the ability scale. There was the national publicity, which is necessary for garnering widespread support, there was a decision to hire a hearing president which specifically contradicted the mission of the college, preparing deaf students to be equal players in a hearing world, and there was an unsympathetic board with an outdated paternalistic attitude. Robert’s continually reframed the argument for his own autonomy, becoming an activist in his own right. It is interesting that Robert’s situation in the very beginning of this book parallels Jim’s case study at the end of the book. Other civil rights legislation grew out of movements with charismatic leaders, nationally televised demonstrations and injustices, and democratic support. The author also singles out the “hidden army” as a unprecedented number of supporters, not only the disabled but all of those who have direct experience of disabilities in their families and friends. The 1988 protest by deaf students at Gallaudet University was a turning point for the disability rights movement. The other side of this issue is that of affirmative action. An overriding difference between the disability rights movement and other civil rights movements comes down to money.
Common topics in this essay:
Gallaudet University, Shapiro Pity, Special Olympics, Ed Roberts, Act ADA, Roberts Jim’s, Robert’s Robert’s, James Meredith, rights movement, disability rights, civil rights, disability rights movement, Independent Living, people disabilities, civil rights movement, affirmative action, deaf students, children disabilities, independent living, rights movements, disabled children, civil rights movements, |
Acceptance Essays
