5 Chapter Five: Accessing Sport
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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Oppressive systems utilize ability as a rationale for exclusion, reinforcing racism, sexism, and various other types of discrimination. Colonialism made the Indigenous identities change and they put their power on them to shape their life the way they wanted so it shows how societal pressure was always on them. For instance, colonialism characterized Indigenous peoples as “less capable” to rationalize domination. Most of the time, they were not allowed to come upfront to give suggestions or to put their voice out, Also, Women have been excluded from leadership positions as well. These evaluations aren’t focused on true capability but on preserving authority. The idea of ability security and ability security is just to cover up and to justify the means of oppression.
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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.
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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.
| Ableism :
Ableism is something that occurs when individuals regard those with disabilities as less competent when it comes to sports. It can manifest in the ways people think, behave, or establish regulations that exclude disabled individuals throughout which is technically towards discrimination as it shows the nature and it shows how the people with no disabilities can perform well and they have power ..
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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?
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?
I would choose this question since I think that sports ought to be categorized by ability rather than disability, as this emphasizes skill level and it can show the competition which can form the abilities of a person who plays sports. With this, individuals with disabilities can participate alongside the athletes when feasible, fostering inclusion and appreciating athletes for their skills, rather than solely their disability.
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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).
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
| d) Murderball does both of these things
it shows both as Murderball inclined towards masculinity to physical strength, which can reinforce ableist views. So, it does both, resisting and reinforcing
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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.
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I somewhat agree with the video as it shows the criticism of the “supercrip” narrative presented in the video. The concept of “supercrip” often depicts athletes with disabilities as remarkable only for their ability to triumph over their disabilities, which may inadvertently strengthen ableist stereotypes. They have put through the abilities they had, Although their accomplishments are remarkable, placing excessive emphasis on their disabilities as challenges to overcome may obscure their true performance and athleticism and also humanity. It’s essential to acknowledge athletes for their talents and capabilities without portraying their achievements as remarkable solely due to their disability. its just a thorough though just because I think even with the disability they stood up and showed their skills which matters more in the end. Honouring them as athletes primarily, rather than as individuals who “overcome” disability, fosters a more respectful and inclusive perspective.
During the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Channel 4 moved away from emphasizing athletes’ disabilities and instead showcased their abilities and the shared challenges they encountered. This transformation seeks to highlight athletes for their sporting talents instead of portraying them as heroes who triumph over disability. Nonetheless, athletes such as Ellie Challis are occasionally depicted as inspirational mainly due to their disability, which can contribute to the “supercrip” narrative. The objective is to provide a more equitable perspective that highlights athletes’ abilities without perpetuating stereotypes.
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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)
| In my view, Murderball doesn’t entirely align with the “supercrip” storyline. The video tend to show and emphasizes the athletes’ character, competitive spirit, and passion for the sport instead of showcasing their accomplishments as remarkable solely due to their disabilities.
In Murderball, The athletes are portrayed as robust and competitive, yet the film does not emphasize their disabilities as the central aspect of their accomplishments, depicting them as ordinary individuals facing their own challenges. Also, Gender influences this narrative too, as women athletes with disabilities encounter extra pressure which builds a barrier against them as they are being pressured and it’s a discomfort for them that is being portrayed. The concept of the supercrip doesn’t apply uniformly to all, and we must be aware of its influence on our perception of athletes with disabilities.
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