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Section one: The fundamentals
A)
Exercise 1: Notebook Prompt
Many of you are likely familiar with the concept of “ability inequity,” which the authors of this article define as “an unjust or unfair (a) ‘distribution of access to and protection from abilities generated through human interventions’ or (b) ‘judgment of abilities intrinsic to biological structures such as the human body’.”
However, they go on to identify the following “ability concepts” that are less familiar:
1) ability security (one is able to live a decent life with whatever set of abilities one has)
2) ability identity security (to be able to be at ease with ones abilities)
How prevalent are these forms of security among disabled people you know? Or, if you identify as a disabled person, would you say your social surroundings and community foster and support these kinds of security? Furthermore, while the focus of the article is on Kinesiology programs, it is also important to reflect on how academia in general accommodates for disability. If you feel comfortable answering this question, what has been your experience of postsecondary education to date?
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The authors also observe that “Ableism not only intersects with other forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, ageism, and classism, but abilities are often used to justify such negative ‘isms’.”
What do you think this means? Provide an example.
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Ability security means living a decent life with the abilities one has, while ability identity security is about feeling comfortable and confident in one’s own abilities. Many disabled individuals still struggle to achieve these securities despite formal accessibility policies. Even when campuses or workplaces meet legal standards, social attitudes and cultural norms may leave disabled people feeling undervalued or pressured to hide their differences. Intersecting Oppressions Ableism often intersects with racism, sexism, ageism, and classism, compounding discrimination. For example, a disabled woman of color may face not only assumptions about her competence but also racial and gender biases that further limit her opportunities
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Exercise 2: Implicit Bias Test
Did anything surprise you about the results of the test? Please share if you’re comfortable OR comment on the usefulness of these kinds of tests more generally.
| biases I hadn’t consciously recognized. It revealed that even though I actively support accessibility and inclusion, I’ve internalized certain societal ideas about what “normal” ability looks like. This experience was eye-opening, serving as a reminder that continual self-reflection is essential in challenging ingrained assumptions
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B) Keywords
Exercise 3:
Add the keyword you contributed to padlet and briefly (50 words max) explain its importance to you.
| Ability security : the idea that a person should be able to live a decent and fulfilling life regardless of their abilities or disabilities thereof
the idea that a person should be able to live a decent and fulfilling life regardless of their abilities |
B) On Disability
Exercise 4: Complete the Activities
Exercise 5: Notebook Prompt
What do Fitzgerald and Long identify as barriers to inclusion and how might these apply to sport in particular?
Fitzgerald and Long identify key barriers to inclusion in sport: attitudinal barriers (low expectations and stereotypes), structural barriers (inaccessible facilities and equipment), logistical barriers (transport and cost issues), and psychological barriers (low self-confidence). They argue that true inclusion requires both integration and specialized provisions to ensure accessibility and support for disabled individuals in sports.
C) Inclusion, Integration, Separation
Exercise 6: Complete the Activities
Exercise 7: Notebook Prompt
Choose ONE of the three questions Fitzgerald and Long argue disability sport needs to address and record your thoughts in your Notebook.
- Should sport be grouped by ability or disability?
- Is sport for participation or competition?
- Should sport competitions be integrated?
Should Sport Be Grouped by Ability or Disability?I think so. Grouping sport by ability rather than disability could promote fairer competition and greater inclusion. When sports are categorized by disability type, it can reinforce segregation and limit opportunities for athletes with different impairments to compete together. However, an ability-based approach focuses on skill level and functional capacity, allowing for more competitive balance.
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Part Two: Making Connections
A) Gender, Sport and Disability
Exercise 8: Complete the Activity
The paradox that sportswomen habitually face (as the authors observe, this isn’t confined to disabled sportswomen) involves the expectation they will be successful in a ‘masculine’ environment while complying with femininity norms in order to be recognized as a woman.
True or false?
Take a moment to reflect on this paradox below (optional).
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True. This paradox highlights the double standard sportswomen face: they must excel in a domain traditionally associated with masculinity (strength, competition, aggression) while maintaining socially accepted notions of femininity (grace, beauty, and passivity). This expectation is not unique to disabled sportswomen but applies broadly across sports. |
B) Masculinity, Disability, and Murderball
Exercise 9: Notebook/Padlet Prompt
Watch the film, Murderball and respond to the question in the padlet below (you will have an opportunity to return to the film at the end of this module).
The authors of “Cripping Sport and Physical Activity: An Intersectional Approach to Gender and Disability” observe that the “gendered performance of the wheelchair rugby players can…be interpreted as a form of resistance to marginalized masculinity” (332) but also point out that it may reinforce “ableist norms of masculinity.” After viewing the film, which argument do you agree with?
a) Murderball celebrates a kind of resistance to marginalized masculinity
Murderball does both of these thingsMurderball both challenges and reinforces traditional masculinity. On one hand, the film resists marginalized masculinity by showcasing the athleticism, aggression, and competitiveness of wheelchair rugby players, countering stereotypes that disabled men are weak or passive. The athletes assert their strength, independence, and toughness, reclaiming a space in the world of elite sports. However, the film also reinforces ableist norms of masculinity by upholding traditional ideas of toughness, dominance, and physical prowess as measures of manhood.
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Section Three: Taking a Shot
A) Resistance
B) Calling out Supercrip
Exercise 10: Mini Assignment (worth 5% in addition to the module grade)
1) Do you agree with the critique of the “supercrip” narrative in this video? Why or why not? Find an example of the “supercrip” Paralympian in the 2024 Paris Paralympics or Special Olympics coverage and explain how it works.
| Yes.
The “supercrip” narrative portrays disabled athletes as inspiring figures who overcome their impairments to achieve greatness. While these stories highlight determination, they often focus too much on personal struggle rather than the bigger issue; how society creates barriers that make things harder for disabled people. Media coverage of some Paralympians in 2024 followed this pattern. Stories focused on their journey of “overcoming” disability rather than just celebrating their athletic skills. While this can be motivating, it also reinforces the idea that disability is something to be defeated instead of accepted as part of who they are. How It Works:
Again, the main problem with the supercrip narrative is it keeps ableist ideas going that is , the idea of “overcoming” disability makes it seem like a flaw instead of just part of life. It also sets unrealistic expectations, It can pressure other disabled people to achieve amazing things just to be valued and it shifts responsibility putting all the focus on the athlete’s hard work instead of addressing barriers that shouldn’t exist in the first place. Because of this, some media outlets, like Channel 4, changed how they covered the 2024 Paralympics. Instead of calling Paralympians “superhuman,” they focused more on their athletic ability and competitive spirit—treating them like any other elite athlete.
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2) Does the film Murderball play into the supercrip narrative in your opinion? How does gender inform supercrip (read this blog for some ideas)?
(300 words for each response)
| The film Murderball offers a complex portrayal of wheelchair rugby players, blending elements that both challenge and reinforce traditional notions of masculinity.
Does Murderball Play into the Supercrip Narrative? Yes, to some extent. The “supercrip” narrative frames disabled individuals as exceptional for overcoming their impairments, often highlighting personal triumphs over adversity. Murderball showcases athletes who, despite their disabilities, engage in an intense, contact sport, emphasizing their resilience and determination. This focus aligns with the supercrip narrative by portraying these athletes as extraordinary for competing at high levels despite their impairments. However, it’s important to note that not all scholars view the supercrip narrative negatively. Some argue that labeling representations as supercrip can dismiss positive aspects and limit nuanced understanding. How Does Gender Inform the Supercrip Narrative in the movie? Gender significantly shapes the supercrip narrative within Murderball. The film emphasizes hyper-masculine traits such as aggression, competitiveness, and physical dominance. Players actively distance themselves from pity and vulnerability, aligning with traditional masculine ideals. This portrayal suggests that to be valued, disabled men must embody conventional masculinity, reinforcing ableist norms that equate manhood with physical prowess and stoicism. This dynamic highlights how gender influences perceptions of disability and shapes the supercrip narrative. In Murderball, the athletes’ refusal to be seen as victims and their pursuit of elite sports success offers a powerful challenge to the typical portrayal of disabled people. In essence, while Murderball challenges stereotypes about disabled individuals by highlighting their athleticism and competitiveness, it also perpetuates traditional gender norm it also reinforces the idea that disabled men must prove their masculinity through toughness s. The film presents a complex interplay where resistance to marginalized masculinity coexists with reinforcement of ableist and conventional masculine ideals.
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