Janilssy

SOC 393

Reflection 1

The story of the deaf community on Martha's Vineyard teaches us a lot about culture,

community dynamics, and educational systems interplay with the experiences of people with

disabilities. This unique case, where a genetic predisposition towards deafness was widespread

within a small, isolated community, offers a lens through which to explore broader themes of

identity, inclusion, and the construction of normalcy. In Martha's Vineyard, there used to be a lot

of deaf people. But being deaf wasn't categorized as abnormal necessarily or a reason to be

isolated. Everyone knew sign language, so deaf people could easily communicate with everyone

else. They were just as much a part of the community as anyone else. In schools, they made sure

to teach both sign language and spoken English. This helped deaf students feel included and

confident. The islanders believed that being deaf didn't make someone less capable or important.

This reminds me of my study abroad program in Tanzania.Historically, individuals with

disabilities endured egregious human rights violations, enduring profound isolation from their

own families and wider communities. Denied access to education, they suffered mistreatment

and, tragically, even violence. These injustices stemmed from deep-rooted societal prejudices,

where differences in needs, abilities, social standing, race, gender, and cultural background led to

systematic marginalization. However, gradual shifts in societal attitudes paved the way for the

acceptance of some individuals with disabilities, although initially within segregated educational

settings. As time progressed, significant strides were made towards inclusion, with children with

disabilities gradually being integrated into mainstream schools and communities. The pivotal
importance of ensuring education for all was underscored in the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights in 1948, marking a critical turning point in the global recognition of the rights and dignity

of individuals with disabilities.

In Tanzania, being able to hear and speak is seen as "normal." But this idea leaves out

deaf people and makes it harder for them to get a good education and be included in society. The

lesson from Martha's Vineyard is that when communities embrace everyone's differences and

make sure everyone gets the support they need, everyone benefits. Tanzania could learn from

this.

As explained by NPR’s “Don't be scared to talk about disabilities. Here's what to know

and what to say” the importance of overcoming our fears and discomfort surrounding the topic

of disability by providing practical advice on engaging in these discussions thoughtfully. The

article shows the significance of using language that respects the individual's dignity, focusing on

them as a person rather than solely on their disability. It also provides guidance on asking

questions in a respectful manner to better understand others' experiences. Additionally, the article

addresses common misconceptions about disabilities and encourages readers to approach

interactions with empathy and openness. Overall, it advocates for fostering a more inclusive and

supportive environment for discussing disabilities in society. This reinforces the idea that more

of what is limited to people with disabilities is our own construction, restriction, and building

around normalcy based on what is most common. An individual without these constructed

restraints may not live like or feel truly “disabled”.

Furthermore "Introduction to Disability, Normality, and Power" by J. Davis explores the

intersection of disability, societal norms, and power dynamics. Davis delves into how disability
is often perceived through the lens of normality causing marginalization and discrimination faced

by disabled individuals. Through insightful analysis, Davis challenges the dominant power

structures that perpetuate ableism and advocates for a more inclusive and equitable society for

people with disabilities. This resonates with my own life as I currently live with a cousin that is

disabled. She had an accident where the left side of her body was partially paralyzed, and her

ability to learn and remember have decreased. The standard of normalcy in Dominican culture

views her disability as a problem making her feel like a problem and an inconvenience.

Scheduling child care, doctor visits, getting her dressed, and other things make adults almost feel

burdened by this responsibility since she is 12 years old. I see how hopeless this makes her feel

despite her continued efforts of independence. Even other children her age feel as though it is a

chore to play with her causing her to retreat from activities not because she cannot do them, but

because of the social stigmas.

Likewise "Models of Disability and the Americans with Disabilities Act," Richard K.

Scotch talks about how we see disability. He explains two main ways: the medical model says

disability is a personal problem, while the social model says it's because of barriers in society.

Scotch shows how the Americans with Disabilities Act tries to remove these barriers so people

with disabilities have the same chances. He also talks about the difficulties in making sure the

ADA works well for everyone. As someone who aspires to be in healthcare this study was very

interesting to me. In the medical field disability is seen as something that needs to be cured, but

in what way? The way my cousin washes dishes is not in the “normal” standard, yet she does it

efficiently. Simply because someone doesn't perform a physical or academic activity in the

socialized and standardized way doesn't mean that their methods are not valid. Part of inclusion,

in my opinion, would be understanding that simply because someone differs from the majority it
does not mean there is anything “wrong” with them. This negative connotation of disability

would be more beneficial for all if expressed in a way of uniqueness.

"Moving Toward Disability Justice" by Octavian E. Robinson talks about disability

justice, which is about making sure everyone, especially those who are often left out, gets treated

fairly. He explains that it's not just about making things accessible, but also about listening to

people from different backgrounds and fighting against all kinds of unfair treatment, like racism

and sexism, along with ableism. Robinson's work shows how we can work towards a world

where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can live freely and equally.