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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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The idea 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” is important to discuss when talking about sports. For example, in sports, older athletes are assumed to perform worse because of age and abilities: combining ageism and ableism. Additionally, marginalized communities such as black and indigenous peoples, frequently have less access to proper equipment and training. Instead of recognizing systemic issues, people assume that these athletes just aren’t as good as others, leading to racism and classism. |
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.
My results of the test shocked me a little bit:
During the Implicit Association Test (IAT) you just completed:Your responses suggested a moderate automatic preference for Physically Abled People over Physically Disabled People.
I have worked with people of all abilities since I was 14 years old. I would love to know more about this test and how it works, as I have a hard time believing in its accuracy when all I did was press E and I to images they had labeled good and bad.
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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.
| The medical Modal of Disability defines disability as a medical condition, and a problem within the person. This way of thinking often leads to ableism and discrimination against people with disabilities. It is important to acknowledge the need for universal design, which is the creation of accessible places in our environment to begin with. Allowing us to look at disability as a socitel aiisue, and not one with the person who has a disability.
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B) On Disability
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 physical, logistical, and psychological barriers to inclusion which impact sport participation. Physical barriers can include things such as accessible facilities and training for staff. Logistical barriers can include things such as cost and transportation. Psychological barriers will stem from negative attitudes towards disability, which lead participants to feel discouraged. All of these barriers reinforce inequality in the world of sports, which makes it challenging for people with disabilities to find truly inclusive places to play.
C) Inclusion, Integration, Separation
Which of the following is premised on the social model of disability?
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InclusionYes! Inclusive aspiration is premised on the social model of disability that seeks to eliminate the structures and practices that exclude (Fitzgerald and Long)
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Integration
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?
| Fitzgerald and Long as the question of whether sport should be grouped by ability or disability. In my opinion, grouping by ability rather than disability may encourage more equitable participation, because it will focus on skill levels rather than physical limitations. |
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
This movie features wheelchair rugby players in action. These athletes defy traditional ideas of masculinity by showing strength and drive despite their disabilities. It challenges the idea that typical masculinity is just about physical ability by showcasing these athletes hard at work from a wheelchair. However, by connecting ideas about sport only to physical ability can reinforce ableist ideas that link masculinity to physical abilities and disabilities. |
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.
| I agree with the critique of supercrip in this video. It creates the idea that people with disabilities are only considered extraordinary if they “overcome” their disability which is unfair, and unrealistic. Additionally, this makes it seem like their disability is something they have to fix to be normal, and that they are only valuable if they achieve something special. For instance, Jessica long is an amazing athlete, but the media often focuses on her disability and her ability to “overcome” it. It is important to acknowledge that she has fantastic talent in swimming, instead of looking at her disability as something she needs to overcome.
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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)?
(150-200 words for each response)
| In my opinion, Murder Ball does play into the supercrip narrative, but also challenges the idea by highlighting athletes that are more than just their disabilities. The film highlights the athletes toughness and athleticism which fits the supercrip mold by identifying their abilities as them overcoming their disabilities. However, it goes beyond that by exploring their struggles, relationships, and personalities, which makes them more relatable. Gender plays a big role in this. Most of the wheelchair rugby players are men, and their strengths and aggression are tied to their traditional gender gender roles. This creatives the idea that men with physical disabilities have to be physically strong to be masculine, and even “overcome” their disabilities.
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