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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 can live a decent life with whatever set of abilities one has)
2) ability identity security (to be able to be at ease with one’s abilities)
How prevalent are these forms of security among the people you know who are disabled? 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 essential to reflect on how academia in general accommodates disability. If you feel comfortable answering this question, what has been your experience of postsecondary education to date?
-OR-
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.
| Based on the quote, discrimination against those with disabilities, or ableism, is frequently linked to other types of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and classism. People use preconceived notions about who is “strong,” “able,” or “smart” to justify mistreating certain groups of people. For example, it was said that women were “too weak” to participate in sports. Because it presumes they are not physically capable, that is ableist and sexist. According to the authors, we should be aware of the ways that ableism expresses itself alongside other forms of discrimination. |
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.
| In my opinion, these tests can be very useful. They encourage self-reflection, start conversations, and expose unconscious biases. It’s only one tool, though, and shouldn’t be used to classify people because they don’t provide an entire picture. The real value comes when we apply what we know to grow and overcome discriminatory systems in everyday life.
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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.
| Keyword: Ableism Explanation: Ableism is important to me because it highlights how society often excludes or discriminates against people with disabilities. Recognizing ableism helps me understand how unfair systems are built around narrow ideas of ability, and why it’s essential to create inclusive spaces for everyone. |
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?
In the chapter, Fitzgerald and Long discuss the barriers to including people with disabilities in sport. They highlight two main issues: physical barriers (such as inaccessible facilities and equipment) and attitudinal barriers (including negative stereotypes and low expectations). They also explore the debate between integrating individuals with disabilities into mainstream sports and providing specialized programs. While integration is ideal, it can sometimes marginalize disabled people, while specialized programs may separate them. The authors argue that true inclusion necessitates addressing both physical and social barriers, modifying attitudes, and providing the necessary support for individuals with disabilities.
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?
| “Is sport for participation or competition?” looks at how disabled people are involved in sport. Participation is about having fun, being active, and feeling included, while competition focuses on skill, performance, and winning. People with disabilities are often encouraged to participate more, which can make it seem like they’re unable to compete at a high level. This can limit their chances and reinforce unfair ideas. Both participation and competition are important. Sport should be open to everyone, whether they want to play for fun or compete for the top spot |
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
| Answer: d) Murderball does both of these things.
Murderball shows how wheelchair rugby players reject the notion that having a disability makes a person less strong or brave. The players’ strength, competitiveness, and passion challenge stereotypes about disabled men being helpless or reliant. The movie also respects the resistance of excluded men by demonstrating how their identities still rely on strength, anger, and resiliency. The movie also frequently references stereotypical, even aggressive, ideas of masculinity, such as competitiveness, mental strength, and physical dominance. These characteristics fit with ableist standards that emphasize particular strengths and masculinity traits. Murderball, therefore, has the potential to reinforce a restrictive and traditional notion of masculinity, even as it empowers disabled men.
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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.
| Regarding the critique of the “supercrip” narrative, I agree. This narrative implies that disabled athletes’ accomplishments are outstanding just because they have disabilities, and it frequently presents them as extraordinary for simply playing sports. This condescending and basic portrayal may overshadow the actual abilities and achievements of the athletes. The narrative of Ali Truwit from the 2024 Paralympics serves as an illustration. Only 16 months after losing her leg in a shark attack in May 2023, Truwit achieved a stunning recovery by taking home two silver medals in para swimming. Her perseverance is amazing, but rather than highlighting her athletic ability and the competition itself, media coverage frequently focused on her recovery process and the hardships she faced. It is possible to see this focus on her personal narrative as an example of the “supercrip” narrative, which highlights an athlete’s disability and rehabilitation over their athletic accomplishments. Instead of acknowledging disabled athletes as talented athletes in their own right, these images may unintentionally perpetuate the idea that they are amazing only due to their disability. |
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)
| Murderball challenges the “supercrip” concept by portraying athletes as complex individuals rather than mere representations of overcoming difficulties. The movie presents a more nuanced portrayal of the athletes’ lives than the typical “supercrip” narrative by highlighting their relationships, insecurities, and personal struggles. However, the impact of ableism in sports is not entirely avoided in the movie. The players’ physical strength and spirit of competition are emphasized, which may unintentionally perpetuate conventional views of masculinity and ideals of a capable person. The argument that parasport frequently prioritizes athletic ability over the real-life experiences of athletes with disabilities and may even reinforce ableist standards is supported by this. Gender plays a significant role in shaping the “supercrip” narrative. Male athletes are the primary focus of Murderball, and the film portrays their experiences as exemplars of traditional masculine values, such as strength and resilience. This focus has the potential to marginalize female athletes and perpetuate gendered norms in the parasport community. In their discussion of the intersections between internal ableism and gender biases, the blog “Grappling with Ableism in the Para-Sport Movement” highlights that athletes may face pressure to conform to masculine ideals and able-bodied norms in order to be respected and acknowledged. To sum all this up, Murderball presents a broader perspective of athletes with disabilities, but it still uses a framework that can reinforce gendered and ableist biases. More inclusive and diverse representations in parasport media are needed, as evidenced by the film’s focus on male athletes and how they conform to typical masculine norms.
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