tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post1295731595757951610..comments2024-03-29T03:43:45.977-04:00Comments on Of Battered Aspect: HeadlinesDave Hingsburgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918601687946534172noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-87272563085683093212018-03-09T10:26:40.726-05:002018-03-09T10:26:40.726-05:00The way I see it, seeking community is voluntary. ...The way I see it, seeking community is voluntary. Segregation is imposed.<br /><br />If a bunch of disabled students expressed a desire to go to a separate prom just for them, or liked the idea when a teacher suggested it, and if they had a choice to go to either prom (or possibly both) and chose to go to the disabled prom, I wouldn't see a problem with it. But if no one interviews the kids who went to the prom, and the organizers never mention the kids' wishes, it's impossible to tell if it was a segregated prom or a disability community prom.<br /><br />I also don't think segregation is always wrong. Sometimes, it's really the best option. For example, on average, blind kids going to segregated schools typically have better orientation & mobility than blind kids who've been integrated, and Deaf kids who go to schools where their teachers and classmates all sign have better communication, educational outcomes, and social skills. But segregation shouldn't be used to restrict their opportunities. For example, for people with complex communication needs, segregation can mean not being exposed to age and ability-appropriate academic material, because they're believed to be less cognitively capable than they are. But a special education teacher who presumes competence can greatly lessen or eliminate this concern, simply by teaching at an age-appropriate level even if they can't assess comprehension.<br /><br />In the case of prom, the benefits are social, not academic, of course. I wonder, did this segregated prom interfere with kids hanging out with their friends, or getting a dance with their date or a crush? Did it lead to the perception that their prom wasn't a *real* prom, and their graduation wasn't a *real* graduation? Or was it simply a matter of kids going to a prom with their classmates and not with kids from a different class?<br /><br />Plus, the more segregated disabled kids are, the less opportunity non-disabled kids have to gain experience with disabled kids as individuals. I see this in a lot of people who believe in the 'autism epidemic'. A lot of them say "I didn't see all these kids with developmental challenges when I was growing up", without realizing that just because they didn't see them doesn't mean they weren't around. They simply went to segregated schools, and the typical kids didn't realize they existed. Having an integrated prom may have been beneficial not just for the disabled kids but for the typical kids as well - letting them see that the disabled kids are there, celebrating just like they are, dancing and enjoying themselves.Ettinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12391427859178500937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-70527417957941286832018-03-08T10:33:56.312-05:002018-03-08T10:33:56.312-05:00And why do we assume it is 'either-or'?
H...And why do we assume it is 'either-or'? <br />Honestly that human ability - or maybe it is a disability - to insist on sorting people into groups based on 'like me=good, not like me=bad" is infuriating. We are all much more alike than we are different, other than personality styles. Some of this selecting for the familiar is biological, likely a survival mechanism from early in human time. <br />I moved across the country a few years ago. Now I am aware that there are people who take against me because of my skin color, my age, my shape. I am white, in my 6th decade, overweight, and have gray hair. Interesting experience that has helped me better understand what you write about, Dave. I'm trying to be more aware of how I present myself, making an effort to remain relaxed and try not to take the behaviors personally. But if I had to do that my entire life....I wouldn't be patient or kind anymore. <br />clairesmumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12235828110880302069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-17599530399008050092018-03-07T10:02:35.813-05:002018-03-07T10:02:35.813-05:00There's a lovely book called "Why Are All...There's a lovely book called "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria" by Beverly Daniel Tatum that gives a wonderfully clear analysis of the general topic of people needing BOTH full inclusion and peer support on whatever axis they are seen as 'different' or treated differently.<br /><br />From my perspective as a TAB who knows several people with various disabilities, I'm inclined to advocate for both. In the 'prom' example, the same parents who organize the 'regular' prom activities can be the ones to organize a 'just us' prom -- and some students will want to go to both. Which should be fine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com