From what I’ve seen, ability security and ability identity security aren’t very common among many disabled people I know. Even when physical accommodations are present, social and emotional support often isn’t. Many still feel judged or overlooked, especially when their abilities don’t match dominant norms. As a student, I’ve noticed that postsecondary education often focuses more on accessibility checklists than creating a truly inclusive learning environment. There’s still a gap between policy and practice. While some professors are supportive, others unintentionally make students feel like a burden. Real inclusion would mean valuing all abilities, not just accommodating them when necessary, or when the student speaks out in regards to their disability.
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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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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 think the Harvard Implicit Association Test is a helpful resource for starting personal reflection on hidden biases we might not even realize we have. When I took the test, it made me stop and think about how my background, media, and environment may have shaped certain automatic associations. While I know it’s not perfect, results can vary and it does not always predict real life actions, it still opened my eyes to how bias can show up in subtle ways. I would not rely on it as the only measure, but I do think it’s useful for beginning important conversations about bias. |
B) Keywords
Exercise 3:
Add the keyword you contributed to padlet and briefly (50 words max) explain its importance to you.
| Crip theory critically reimagines disability as a site of resistance rather than deficiency, challenging normative ideals of ability, productivity, and embodiment. Drawing from queer theory and disability studies, it disrupts dominant discourses of cure and rehabilitation, advocating instead for fluid, inclusive frameworks that honour diverse ways of moving through the world. |
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 talk about different barriers that make it difficult for disabled people to feel included in sports. These include things like buildings not being accessible, not having the right equipment, sports costing too much, and people having negative attitudes. In sports, some disabled athletes are ignored, while others are treated like they do not really belong. This can make them feel left out or judged. Many sports are still developed for non-disabled people, which makes it harder for others to join in. Real inclusion means changing how we see and design sport, so that everyone has a fair chance to take part and feel valued.
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 believe sport should be grouped by ability rather than disability. Grouping by ability focuses on what a person can do, rather than what they can’t. This creates fairer and more competitive environments for everyone, no matter their background or diagnosis. Two people with different disabilities might have very similar abilities, so it makes more sense to match them based on skill or function. It also helps break down stereotypes by showing that disabled athletes can perform at high levels and should be taken seriously. Grouping by ability shifts the focus from labels to performance, which encourages inclusion and respect in sport. |
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
| I agree with Murderball does both of these things because that’s exactly how it felt watching the film. I found it really powerful to see the players push back against stereotypes that disabled men are weak or dependent. They were aggressive, competitive, and confident, it honestly made me rethink how we define strength. At the same time, I could not help but notice that a lot of the masculinity shown still followed the same old ideas of being tough, dominant, and not emotional. That felt limiting. It’s like they were breaking free from one box but still stuck in another. So for me, it both challenged and reinforced ideas of masculinity. |
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 find the critique of the supercrip narrative in the video both valid and necessary. While it is important to celebrate the accomplishments of disabled athletes, the narrative often centers on the idea of overcoming disability in ways that feel more limiting than empowering. It frames disability as something tragic that must be conquered, rather than simply one aspect of a person’s identity. I have seen this firsthand with a family friend who uses a wheelchair, people often applaud him for doing everyday tasks, calling him inspirational for things that would not be remarkable if done by a non-disabled person. These moments, though well-intentioned, reflect how deeply ingrained the supercrip lens really is. An example of this narrative in the 2024 Paris Paralympics is the media coverage of Italian wheelchair fencer Bebe Vio. While she is undeniably a fierce competitor with incredible talent, much of the focus remains on how she has overcome illness and disability to reach the podium. People highlight her resilience and determination, but rarely delve into the structural support, coaching, or access to training that made her success possible. This framing not only places the burden of success entirely on the individual, but also implies that disabled people must achieve greatness to be seen as worthy. In doing so, it unintentionally reinforces ableist expectations and overlooks the broader need for equity and access in sport and society as a whole. |
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)
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Yes, the film Murderball definitely plays into the supercrip narrative, even though it also pushes back against some disability stereotypes. The film shows disabled athletes as strong, aggressive, and competitive, which helps break the idea that people with disabilities are weak or helpless. It also focuses on how these men overcame their injuries and became athletes again, as if their value depends on proving they can still be tough and so called manly. That’s a big part of the supercrip idea, that disabled people are only worth celebrating when they do something extraordinary. The blog I Am Not Your Supercrip really helped me understand how gender plays a role in this. In Murderball, the players show their masculinity through things like sports, anger, and talking about sex. It sends the message that to be accepted, disabled men still have to act like the traditional idea of what a real man should be. Women in the film are mostly shown as girlfriends or supporters, which also supports typical gender roles. Overall, I think the film is both inspiring and limiting. It shows that disabled athletes are strong and determined, but it also relies too much on able-bodied ideas of strength and masculinity. We need more stories that show different ways of being strong and valuable, without always having to prove something. |
