Introductions
As an IES major, supporting communities and advocating for an inclusive society means everything. However, add to the bunch that I am also a Disability Studies minor, and you can see that I am very passionate about this calling. How do we advocate for an inclusive and supportive community? That’s an excellent question. How do we not? Many do not notice but everywhere around us there are accommodations for those with disabilities. As much as there are for the homeless, the elderly, etc… Just as there are volunteer opportunities for every and anyone who wants it.
Someone who advocates for inclusive and supportive communities is someone who is aware of the problems in our society and isn’t afraid to take the step needed in to begin changing, fixing, and adapting to it. It just takes one person to stand up and make the difference, it takes one person to bring a friend and that friend brings a friend and so on for the movement to begin.
Thankfully, with the help of the IES program at Chapman University, professors are constantly teaching their students the importance of this subject. I feel that Chapman has done a wonderful job in ensuring that we leave here aware and willing to work for that change the world so desperately needs.
IES 102: Social Construction of Differences- Comparative Cultural Biography and Advocacy Project
My sophomore year I had the chance to take IES 102 with Dr. Andrea Minkoff, who was the nicest teacher I had ever had at that point. This class offered answers as to what the social construction of differences are in school. Walking into the classroom I was unsure as to what that was really going to entail. I was pleasantly surprised when we began diving into stereotypes, gender roles, and even race. This class allowed me to dive into the concept of “social norms” what they are and what they are not.
I wrote a paper in this class called The Comparative Cultural BIography and Advocacy Project. In this paper I interviewed one of my best friends who considered himself gay, religious, and raised by a single mother. I picked him because though we are different in almost every way, we are just as much the same. After the interview process, I was sitting back trying to write the paper when I had the epiphany that this project was so much bigger than what I thought. This whole project was showing you that no matter the differences that we can see on the outside, we are all the same underneath. Whether you are a boy or a girl, part of the LGBTQ+ community, raised by your mom, dad or both, none of it matters. It is because of this reason that we need to support our communities, every single one of them, and advocate for inclusion because they could be your next best friend. They could be that person who you were always meant to meet, they are that person who needs you in their life just as much as you need them.
In this class I learned that everyone has things that set them apart from others, but making the choice to see past that and see who they are no matter what is how we will save our world and grow together as a family.
Special Olympics
What is the Special Olympics? The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities. I was introduced to this when I was a junior in highschool and my little brother has just reached fourth grade. It takes place at the nearest highschools who host it and they reach out to elementary schools to bring their special needs classes down to their field to partake in relay races, bubble blowing competitions, hula hooping, and so much more.
When I arrived my senior year of highschool with my little brother by my side, my entire world changed. At this moment I realized that I wanted to be a teacher with a minor in Disability Studies. Watching these children and adults running around promoting prosocial behavior to one another was heartwarming. Having a brother with special needs means you have seen it all. You have been given the looks, heard the words, while also shown the best in people and have seen people look past his disability and treat him just like any other kid. We need a society where we can support our community, and advocate for the inclusivity of our children with disabilities.
Special Olympics gives everyone the opportunity to really see just how special these children are and how they are like anyone else, so why treat them differently? Why not give them the benefit of the doubt? Why not show them the same patience you show other children? I would suggest that everyone go volunteer at a Special olympics at least once in their lifetime to fully understand just how to support our inclusive community.
IES 150: Introduction to Disability Studies
I was able to take my first IES 150 class with Professor Assaf who taught the Introduction to Disability. During this class I was introduced to the different perspectives whether it was the parents, child, or even place of business. When you open shop you must be aware of all of its surroundings including if it is handicap accessible. Oftentimes we see that not everyone is following the standard rules to having an inclusive environment. However, this Accessibility Project gave me the opportunity to really do research on this topic and see if one of the biggest attractions in California is handicap accessible Disneyland.
After doing further research on the site I found that Disneyland is very handicap accessible from wheelchair use to epilepsy warning signs for a couple rides. This is very important to keep in mind because when someone is attempting to support their society they typically leave out the disability community simply because “its easier” or “it’s less work” but if the largest business in the world can make their entire park including every ride, restaurant and bathroom accessible to all, then there really is no excuse as to why a simple clothing store does not give railing accessibility or an automatic door option.
Furthermore, as a friend to the inclusive society and community it is our job to ensure that everything is open to everyone. This course gave me the opportunity to do my own research to see for myself just how accurate the term “accessibility” is when it comes to outside sources. I am thankful for the chance to have taken this course because in order to understand the depth of advocation and inclusion you must know where it needs to start and where the problem begins.
IES 239: Disability in Politics and Society
In IES 239 Disability in Politics and Society taken with Dr. Art Blaser I had the chance of a lifetime to work with a professor who firsthand can understand and relate to what it is that they are teaching. This was a big deal because Dr. Blaser has seen it all, he is fully aware of what he is teaching and was around for even some of the large events that have happened in Disability history. On the first day of class Dr. Blaser taught us about people’s first language and how as someone who is part of that community he really likes it. He talked about how when you are trying to advocate for inclusion and support your community sometimes it often comes off as you pity them or are ignorant of their disability.
In this course I learned the different perspectives of disability emotionally and in the law. We learned about something called user involvement. This is when people who have disabilities start their own organizations rather than depend on unrepresented charities with people who don’t understand their struggles. This is very important because if you want to be someone who stands up for their community and shows their support you have to make sure that you understand exactly what it is that you are trying to fix, what you are trying to endorse. For example, you don’t just walk into a bar trying to sell a new product that you know absolutely nothing about and then being surprised when no one takes it seriously.
In this course, I learned that to be a successful supporter and advocate you must first know your cause. You must be well versed and know what it is that you want and what the community needs before anything else can be accurately done.