5
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.
| I think the authors are explaining that ableism intersects with other forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, ageism and classism and that people often judge people based on their capability to do or not do certain things, and when they can’t, people think that it gives them a reason to treat these people poorly or like they are less than. For example, ageism and ableism are very similar because often when older people forget things, or are more clumsy, they are treated like they are less than. In the same way, people with disabilities are treated like their mind is not strong enough, or are clumsy.
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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.
| I was really surprised that the test said I have a strong automatic preference for Physically Abled People over Physically Disabled People. I personally do not agree with this as I see both people equally, but it goes to show that I need to work on it.
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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.
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 barriers to inclusion such as negative attitudes towards marginalized people, inaccessible transport and buildings, they are overlooked, and more. These may apply to sport in particular because some people may not be able to join a sport, not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t. In addition, inaccessible transport, for example, may not allow athletes to get to and from the location safely and properly.
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?
| 2. I think that sports should be for participation. Some people need a chance to get away from life and have fun playing a sport and being with friends. When it is made into competition, some people aren’t able to play because of their ability, and it becomes less fun for everyone involved. I believe that there should be a welcoming place for everyone in sports, no matter how able one is to play.
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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).
| I think that this is true, because successful sportswomen are often classified as butch, or masculine, but they are expected to conform to feminine norms outside of playing sports and being an athlete. It is a standard that is beyond hard to follow and meet expectations for. |
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
| I agree that Murderball celebrates a kind of resistance to marginalized masculinity. I think this because it shows us that the sport can be just as “tough” as every other sport. I think that many people think that sports such as wheelchair rugby are very calm, and easy to do. But, after watching the movie, it shows that it is actually far from that, which I think celebrates a resistance to marginalized masculinity.
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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.
| I do not agree with the supercrip narrative that they portrayed in this video. I do not agree with it because in my opinion, I think that they are reinforcing ableist ideas on disabled individuals, especially these athletes in the video. By this, I mean that some people, including me, may think the video is suggesting that these incredible athletes have ‘overcome’ their disability instead of focusing on the real struggles that they deal with on a daily basis. By struggles, I am meaning physical barriers, social barriers, mental and financial barriers, and in addition, just everyday struggles. I also think that they are taking away from the athletes actual talent to focus on their struggles instead. It must take these athletes years and years of training to become as good as they are at their sport, and sometimes people just see them for their disability. By this, I mean that people are happy to see they even showed up to participate in a sport, rather than step back and think about how much effort they have actually put into it. The “Considering What” campaign in the 2024 Paris Paralympics is a really good campaign in my opinion. In the video, it explains that these athletes are not ‘overcoming’ their disability. It says that nothing (gravity, time, etc) cares about disability, while also challenging traditional, ableist thoughts on disabled people in sports. I think that this campaign is much better than the “We’re The Superhumans” campaign, because it is more thoughtful of paralympians’ hard work and determination, rather than their disability. I think that it shows how their work pays off, and the amount of effort they put into their sport and athleticism.
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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)
| I think that the film Murderball plays into the supercrip narrative, but only in some parts. I do not think that they play into the narrative as much as the “We’re The Superhumans” campaign did. First off, I think that the film plays into the narrative by explaining how the athletes, such as Mark, became disabled and put into a wheelchair, but then how they overcame it to play sports. I think that this gives a false reality and pushes disabled individuals to believe it is easy to overcome their barriers and that they should overcome them. In addition, I think that when they show the roughness of the game, they are attempting to show how strong these athletes are, and to relate them to non disabled athletes and individuals. I think that it overlooks the struggles that some disabled individuals face on a daily basis and gives a message that they think all disabled individuals should be able to play a game like murderball. I also think that gender plays a large role in this supercrip. I think this because they often show how rough the game is, and how they act in public. For example, in the hotel, they show Mark being rowdy and fighting with someone in the lobby, and also showing them getting drunk. I think this plays into the thoughts of an ideal ‘masculine man’ and it seems like they are trying to get these individuals to align with non-disabled men. By this, I mean that whether intended or not, the film is saying that to be a real man, these disabled individuals should be aggressive, play full contact sports, and drink alcohol.
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