Jason Stariwat's Resources for Including Disability in EDI
Overview
Despite tireless efforts by self-advocates and their allies to change culture and policy, disability is still underrecognized in 21st century equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts. In many cases, disability is only included in conversations of intersectionality. This can be most directly related to the continuing prevalence of the concept of disability solely understood through the lens of western biomedicine. As a medical condition, disability requires specialized expertise, intervention, and accommodation. This kind of thinking further marginalizes people with disabilities by relegating disability as a “individual problem to be fixed” rather than a social identity or a springboard for looking at broader societal issues of access, privilege, and design. While disability is as complex and nuanced as any other category of diversity, the social model of disability provides a lens to consider disability, not through focus on personal attribute or condition, but as a set of factors showcasing the way that social institutions are not designed to meet the full scope of human diversity.
Below is a compilation of articles that can serve as a starting point for further investigating and including disability in conversations and efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, especially in higher ed. It is by no means comprehensive, but can serve as an initial point of contact for further understanding and acting on disability inclusion, intersectionality, universal design for learning, and emancipatory education principles.
Selected Resources
Higher Education’s Challenge: Disability Inclusion on Campus
Institute for Educational Leadership – Higher Education Inclusion Guide
Disability as Diversity
Embracing Diversity and Accessibility
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1144611.pdf Links to an external site.
Here’s Why You Should STOP Using Functioning Labels
Disability Visibility Project Podcast Series
https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/ Links to an external site.
Co-Founding the ACLU, Fighting for Labor Rights and Other Helen Keller Accomplishments Students Don't Learn in School
https://time.com/5918660/helen-keller-disability-history Links to an external site.
To Be BIPOC, Disabled and Fighting for Justice
The Racial Wealth Gap and Disability Inclusion: A Conversation with Dr. Angel Miles
The new podcast ‘smashing the box’ of disabled feminism
https://www.bbc.com/news/disability-54934504 Links to an external site.
How Disabled Creators on TikTok Are Going Beyond “Inspiration Porn”
https://www.allure.com/story/disabled-creators-on-tiktok Links to an external site.
Autism from the inside
Am I disabled?
