Identifying Unheard Voices: Disability, Ableism, Access

 The following overview of ableism and disability-studies was drafted by the University of Cincinnati Library:

"What is ableism?

Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing’ and defines people by their disability. Like racism and sexism, ableism classifies entire groups of people as ‘less than,’ and includes harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and generalizations of people with disabilities".

For context, check out the following short video from BuzzFeed News entitled, 'Things People With Disabilities Wish You Knew':

The following scholarly resources will introduce students to current academic discourse related to disability studies, ableism, etc., including journals found via BrowZine (the Library's journal searching tool). Please note: the image displayed below presents a variety of journals which broadly research the concept of 'disability', although topically they all relate to the subject of 'Disability and Special Needs Education'. That said, research regarding the lived experiences of the differently-abled can certainly be found beyond the realm of educational research; below the image, the library has compiled other examples of peer-reviewed journals which consider these themes. As such, the library recommends pairing keywords to focus your search.

      Journal of Disability Policy Studies                              Disability & Society                              Disability and Health Journal             Disability and Higher Ed Compliance

For access to the full documentary, please click on or cut and paste the following link into your browser, https://video.alexanderstreet.com/p/pZzyXYvBm and then login to Academic Video Online with your WPI credentials

[Add Metadata for Videos]

Places to Start Your Search

• Search journals and databases by subject

• Seek out websites, archival records, associations, colloquiums, blogs, podcasts, videos, social media, and Instagram groups

• Use research guides through other libraries, such as

  • University of Cincinnati Ableism & Disability Justice Guide

  • https://www.justice.gov/file/1437326/download

  • https://researchguides.austincc.edu/equityresourcesatACC/Disability

  • https://www.loc.gov/nls/resources/general-resources-on-disabilities/travel-and-recreation-for-the-visually-impaired-and-physically-disabled/#blogs-websites

• ---

  Recalling Subject Searching Strategies For books written by types of people, first, identify the subject heading used for that class of person, then add subject subdivision terms to narrow your search.

• Autistic people (LCSH)

• Chronically ill (LCSH)

• Discrimination against overweight persons (LCSH)

• Discrimination against the mentally ill (LCSH)

• Hearing impaired (LCSH) 

• Learning disabled (LCSH)

• Minorities--Medical care (LCSH)

• People with disabilities (LCSH)

• People with eating disorders (LCSH)

• People with mental disabilities (LCSH)

• Students with disabilities (LCSH)

• Women patients (LCSH)

• Autism (LCSH)

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (LCSH)

• Neuroses (LCSH)

• People with mental disabilities, Writings of (LCSH)

National Arts and Disability Center (UCLA)

https://www.semel.ucla.edu/nadc (see also https://www.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan)

“MISSION: The mission of the National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) is to promote the inclusion of audiences and artists with disabilities into all facets of the arts community. The NADC is a project of the Tarjan Center. The information, technical assistance, training and evaluation services of the NADC aim to strengthen the capacity of the mainstream arts community to include artists and audiences with disabilities, and promote the professional development of artists with disabilities through access to educational, vocational and community activities, supports and networks. 

The NADC is a leading consultant in the arts and disability community, and the only center of its kind. Our information is aimed at artists with disabilities, arts organizations, arts administrators, disability organizations, performing arts organizations, art centers, universities, and arts educators.”

Mass Local Disability Advocacy Organizations

These organizations protect and advocate for the civil and human rights of people with disabilities.

• Disability Community Advocacy - Executive Office of Health and Human Services
• The Arc of Massachusetts
• Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc.
• The Arc of the South Shore
• COFAR, Inc.
• Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
• Easter Seals Massachusetts

For a comprehensive list, see here [https://www.olmsteadrights.org/self-helptools/advocacy-resources/item.6692-Massachusetts_Disability_Resources_and_Advocacy_Organizations].

National groups;, with an emphasis on Academia and Disability:

• The National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) CLEARINGHOUSE AND RESOURCE LIBRARY

• Chronically Academic: An international network of academics with disabilities and chronic conditions, sharing resources and advice; welcomes graduate students, adjuncts, and faculty.  
• Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD): Professional organization for disability services providers that also hosts the NCCSD, DREAM, and the HBCU Disability Consortium.
• Coalition for Disability Access in Health Science and Medical Education: This group offers resources for students with disabilities in health science fields, and for faculty in any type of medical education program. They also have an annual conference.
• ​American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights: The Commission has resources, guides, and helpful links for law students, attorneys, and other legal professionals and entities.
• Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society: This is an academic honor society for students with disabilities at colleges and universities, with chapters across the United States.
• DO-IT: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology: Focuses primarily on employment, Internet, and technology; also has an online mentoring program and information for college students.
• DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism and Mentoring: DREAM is a student group under the NCCSD at AHEAD, providing online resources and community for all students with disabilities across the country.  Offering a weekly e-mail newsletter on disability and higher edu and run by a student board, with a national "Disabled and Proud" conference and other activities.
• Lime Connect: Prepares, and connects high potential university students and professionals - including veterans - with disabilities for scholarships, internships, The Lime Connect Fellowship Program, and full time careers with  corporate partners.
• Mobility International USA: Works on international disability rights and supports travel and study abroad for people with disabilities.
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA): Learn about NCAA rules for student athletes with disabilities.

For a comprehensive list, see here [https://oae.stanford.edu/students/advocacy-community/national-disability-organizations-and-resources]

The following resources..

• Disability, Bias, and AI  

• Diversity and Inclusion resources from WPI's Gordon Library  

• European Research Council - Reimagining Cultural Diversity  

• LOC Travel for the Visually Impaired and Physically Disabled  

• NYU Center for Disability Studies (CDS).  

• Persons with disabilities tell their stories  

• UCSD Disability Is Diversity  

• US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy  

• Research Related to the Unified English Braille (UEB) 

• Project Implicit  

• DANCING – Protecting the Right to Culture of Persons with Disabilities and Enhancing Cultural Diversity