Today I am going to simply describe events as they unfolded last night endeavoring to be objective. Wish me luck.
My local LGBT Center was sponsoring a class entitled "Power, Privilege and Visions of Justice." I was intrigued, so I sent an email saying I'd like to attend and asking that the instructor be told a blind person would be in the class.
Two weeks later, I attend the first class. As we are waiting for things to start, people are handed something in print. I am given nothing and told nothing. Class starts and a clipboard is circulated. I never receive it.
Going around the room, we introduce ourselves. I know when to speak because I know the person sitting directly next to me and can cue off of her.
Next, we engage in an activity in which we are to raise our hand if we agree with this or that statement. At the appropriate points, I dutifully raise my hand without any notion of what my fellow classmates are doing.
Asked to give examples of oppression, I mention that The Center's prostate support group was listed as a "gay men's" group and point out bisexuals aren't included. I am told we will not be discussing such things in this class.
After being directed to read part of our syllabus silently, we are asked a series of questions as feedback so the instructor can decide about certain aspects of the course. Then we are told our assigned reading will be at the center's desk beginning the following morning. The expectation is that we will come back to pick it up.
At the end of class, I wait until the room is empty before approaching the instructor. First, I make sure he was told I would be in class and when I learn he knew, I tell him all the aspects of class that bothered me. It was as if he had never considered any of it. His only thought was that he might have to read the materials aloud to me. Or, well, the parts he thinks are important.
I'm thinking about not returning to this class.
Showing posts with label ablism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ablism. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
To Bother or Not To Bother
Whenever I encounter remediable barriers to access, I find myself in a dilemma. Is pointing it out to The Powers That Be worth it? Will anyone pay attention? Do I risk alienating someone I should be cultivating? I have yet to come up with a simple answer or even set of answers. Each time it happens, I must consider anew my priorities.
There are a few types of situations that routinely crop up. The first relates to inaccessible websites by companies both big and small. In this situation, I am not risking much, but the chances for positive change are low. Most companies ignore such email or send back a generic response that typically illustrates they have missed the point entirely.
Recently I received a print survey in the mail from Ipsos Mendelsohn - Personal Interest Survey with $10 enclosed. I was more than willing to accept the money, but there was no way for me to participate in the survey. They did include an email address, so I sent the following admittedly rather snarky email.
Hi there,
I was happy to pocket your $10. I was less pleased that I, a blind person, was receiving a print survey without any indication whatsoever that my existence was taken into consideration. At the very
least, you could supply a link to an online version of the survey or offer to send it on a CD-ROM.
You might want to consider entering the 21st century where technology exists to allow you to take the needs of everyone into consideration. Any sample you collect that doesn't taken the needs of
blind people into account is inherently statistically skewed.
Sincerely,
Jen
Apparently I was trying to vent all my frustrations when I wrote that. In response, I received:
Hello,
Thank you for your email.
We apologize for the inconvenience of sending you this survey. Unfortunately, this study was only conducted using paper survey and there is currently no online version available.
If you haven’t already done so, please consider visiting our website for more information regarding the Personal Interest Survey: www.interestsurvey.com
Kind regards,
James Petersen
Director, Ipsos Mendelsohn - Personal Interest Survey
info@interestsurvey.com
http://www.interestsurvey.com
This response made me feel the fullness of the futility in having sent the email in the first place.
At the other end of the spectrum are people with whom I have a personal relationship. This happens quite frequently with musicians acquaintances when they send out graphical newsletters. I then must decide if I wish to point it out. Typically, these are decent people who quite possibly are nice to me out of a sense of obligation/it's their job. Putting them in an awkward position is not something I enjoy doing. And, if they make a change, are they doing it because they understand my point, to make a fan happy, or to be nice to the blind woman? I act in such situations infrequently.
Now we come to my latest dilemma. In working with the local LBGT Center, I have become increasingly frustrated by their lack of access for disabled people in general and blind folks in particular. Because I am starting up a new discussion group at The Center, I cannot avoid the issue. It's right there staring me in the face going, "So, what are you goanna do?"
It began with demographic forms. Apparently, every person served by The Center needs to fill out some basic information each year. Then I discover those who lead discussion groups receive an entire clipboard of information before each session. There is a form with information about group attendance and topics. There are also the aforementioned demographic forms I'm expected to make people fill out. My rock and a hard place is that I neither want to alienate TheCenter so they cancel the group nor do I wish to allow discriminatory practices to continue. How do I push enough for change and not so much that they push back in ways I don't want?
I've raised the concerns and after some back and forth, I think I will at least get what I need. It is clear, however, that they are not seeing things in an institution-wide, systematic way.
Have I mentioned that as soon as I get The Center to start considering bisexuality in their actions I plan on doing the same thing for disability?
There are a few types of situations that routinely crop up. The first relates to inaccessible websites by companies both big and small. In this situation, I am not risking much, but the chances for positive change are low. Most companies ignore such email or send back a generic response that typically illustrates they have missed the point entirely.
Recently I received a print survey in the mail from Ipsos Mendelsohn - Personal Interest Survey with $10 enclosed. I was more than willing to accept the money, but there was no way for me to participate in the survey. They did include an email address, so I sent the following admittedly rather snarky email.
Hi there,
I was happy to pocket your $10. I was less pleased that I, a blind person, was receiving a print survey without any indication whatsoever that my existence was taken into consideration. At the very
least, you could supply a link to an online version of the survey or offer to send it on a CD-ROM.
You might want to consider entering the 21st century where technology exists to allow you to take the needs of everyone into consideration. Any sample you collect that doesn't taken the needs of
blind people into account is inherently statistically skewed.
Sincerely,
Jen
Apparently I was trying to vent all my frustrations when I wrote that. In response, I received:
Hello,
Thank you for your email.
We apologize for the inconvenience of sending you this survey. Unfortunately, this study was only conducted using paper survey and there is currently no online version available.
If you haven’t already done so, please consider visiting our website for more information regarding the Personal Interest Survey: www.interestsurvey.com
Kind regards,
James Petersen
Director, Ipsos Mendelsohn - Personal Interest Survey
info@interestsurvey.com
http://www.interestsurvey.com
This response made me feel the fullness of the futility in having sent the email in the first place.
At the other end of the spectrum are people with whom I have a personal relationship. This happens quite frequently with musicians acquaintances when they send out graphical newsletters. I then must decide if I wish to point it out. Typically, these are decent people who quite possibly are nice to me out of a sense of obligation/it's their job. Putting them in an awkward position is not something I enjoy doing. And, if they make a change, are they doing it because they understand my point, to make a fan happy, or to be nice to the blind woman? I act in such situations infrequently.
Now we come to my latest dilemma. In working with the local LBGT Center, I have become increasingly frustrated by their lack of access for disabled people in general and blind folks in particular. Because I am starting up a new discussion group at The Center, I cannot avoid the issue. It's right there staring me in the face going, "So, what are you goanna do?"
It began with demographic forms. Apparently, every person served by The Center needs to fill out some basic information each year. Then I discover those who lead discussion groups receive an entire clipboard of information before each session. There is a form with information about group attendance and topics. There are also the aforementioned demographic forms I'm expected to make people fill out. My rock and a hard place is that I neither want to alienate TheCenter so they cancel the group nor do I wish to allow discriminatory practices to continue. How do I push enough for change and not so much that they push back in ways I don't want?
I've raised the concerns and after some back and forth, I think I will at least get what I need. It is clear, however, that they are not seeing things in an institution-wide, systematic way.
Have I mentioned that as soon as I get The Center to start considering bisexuality in their actions I plan on doing the same thing for disability?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Own Your TAB Privilege
Lately I have been struggling with the fact that people I otherwise like and respect are driving me to the brink of sanity by just not getting it. By "it," I mean understanding the power dynamics of a situation involving them – a member of a majority group – and those with marginalized group status. Finally, the word privilege emerged from my subconscious. Now I am obsessed with the concept because it made insanity into sense.
Privilege is unearned power or advantage bestowed upon a member of the majority. It exists because of the systematic disadvantages the societal structure imposes upon members of a marginalize group. Rather than being about one instance or even type of prejudice, privilege is related to how the world tends to work. Whether earned or not, whether wanted or not, privilege is a de facto power granted solely because of majority group membership.
Thus, male privilege exists because of insidious aspects of our society that disadvantage women thereby bestowing advantages upon men. For example, when I become emotional, I am in danger of being considered a "hysterical female" whereas men can display the same emotionality without risking stigmatization. They have the "privilege" of showing whatever emotions they experience and in fact, are often lauded for "being in touch with their feelings."
No matter the privilege – white, male, TAB, heterosexual, sisgendered, class, religious, economic, and the list goes on – the crucial element involves a majority group having advantages denied the members of a marginalized group. In this way, though I might be disabled, bisexual, female, and poor, I still enjoy white privilege on a daily basis. (Nobody walks quickly past me standing on a deserted street because they fear being mugged.)
Hand in hand with the concept of privilege is the idea of "othering." Characterized by using a system of social markers to segregate people into neat categories, it results in "us" and "them." The methodology highlights difference and assigns meaning to that distinction. To use a favorite example, "Wow, I'm amazed you could do that well especially since you're blind." My difference (blindness) was highlighted separating me from the group and then that category was evaluated by a separate set of standards. I became the "other" who can't do as well at a given task.
Using the tool of othering, it is possible to secure and perpetuate privilege. Because people expect less from me, they also assess me as less capable. Clearly, I am at a disadvantage saddled with such assumptions, but it also means another group (sighted people) are seen as more capable, which is advantageous. Over time, lower expectations shape educational opportunities and job options so that a blind person in fact attains less, reinforcing the devaluation. Expect less. Achieve less. Be perceived as less. Vicious cycle.
The problem with privilege and othering is that they are so entrenched in our social structure that we don't even perceive their existence. How can you fight against a form of oppression that nobody can perceive?
The first step is to identify your personal privilege, which is known as "owning your privilege." I shall leave you with some forms of TAB privilege to ponder.
Privilege is unearned power or advantage bestowed upon a member of the majority. It exists because of the systematic disadvantages the societal structure imposes upon members of a marginalize group. Rather than being about one instance or even type of prejudice, privilege is related to how the world tends to work. Whether earned or not, whether wanted or not, privilege is a de facto power granted solely because of majority group membership.
Thus, male privilege exists because of insidious aspects of our society that disadvantage women thereby bestowing advantages upon men. For example, when I become emotional, I am in danger of being considered a "hysterical female" whereas men can display the same emotionality without risking stigmatization. They have the "privilege" of showing whatever emotions they experience and in fact, are often lauded for "being in touch with their feelings."
No matter the privilege – white, male, TAB, heterosexual, sisgendered, class, religious, economic, and the list goes on – the crucial element involves a majority group having advantages denied the members of a marginalized group. In this way, though I might be disabled, bisexual, female, and poor, I still enjoy white privilege on a daily basis. (Nobody walks quickly past me standing on a deserted street because they fear being mugged.)
Hand in hand with the concept of privilege is the idea of "othering." Characterized by using a system of social markers to segregate people into neat categories, it results in "us" and "them." The methodology highlights difference and assigns meaning to that distinction. To use a favorite example, "Wow, I'm amazed you could do that well especially since you're blind." My difference (blindness) was highlighted separating me from the group and then that category was evaluated by a separate set of standards. I became the "other" who can't do as well at a given task.
Using the tool of othering, it is possible to secure and perpetuate privilege. Because people expect less from me, they also assess me as less capable. Clearly, I am at a disadvantage saddled with such assumptions, but it also means another group (sighted people) are seen as more capable, which is advantageous. Over time, lower expectations shape educational opportunities and job options so that a blind person in fact attains less, reinforcing the devaluation. Expect less. Achieve less. Be perceived as less. Vicious cycle.
The problem with privilege and othering is that they are so entrenched in our social structure that we don't even perceive their existence. How can you fight against a form of oppression that nobody can perceive?
The first step is to identify your personal privilege, which is known as "owning your privilege." I shall leave you with some forms of TAB privilege to ponder.
*In day to day life, a TAB knows they can meet their own needs and handle most emerging eventualities.
*A TAB knows the preponderance of strangers encountered will treat them as a competent adult.
*A TAB will be able to avail themselves of whatever facilities needed such as bathrooms, busses, post office, courthouse, and hotels.
*Should a TAB appear in public disheveled, unkempt, or badly dressed, nobody will assume it's because they lack the ability to do better.
*Nobody will assume a person with a TAB is their caregiver.
*A TAB will not be called inspirational for accomplishing a typical daily activity.
*If a TAB is in a building that catches fire, they have the same chances as every other person to get out unscathed.
*If a TAB needs emergency medical care, they can trust nobody will assess their life to determine if it's worthwhile enough to save.
*A TAB will not be subjected to questions about how they accomplish tasks such as bathing, eating, using the bathroom, or dressing and be expected to answer in detail.
*A TAB is not expected to thank people who offend them.
*When a TAB does not get what they want or need, they can express displeasure without risking being called ungrateful, overly demanding, or too sensitive.
*A TAB can walk into a yoga studio and take a class without relinquishing independence or being obligated to do more than anyone else to get the same things out of class. More about this last one next week!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Kinder Gentler Jen Gone Awry
The past week has been all about realizing how I have allowed others' perceptions of me to shape my thinking. And, let me tell you, it's not good. I even know the route cause and the situation is entirely of my own making.
It began a while back when I decided to become a Kinder Gentler Jen. Accused of being "too independent" and having offered assistance rejected once too often, I decided to take a step back and go with the flow. Perhaps it would make life easier teaching me something important along the way. guess what I've learned? The expression about easier not necessarily being better has major merit.
The KGJ (Kinder Gentler Jen) Approach translated into two major changes or should I say capitulations, the first related to yoga. I have been taking classes entirely composed of non-disabled people since April 2009. Once I discovered the teacher whose approach best suited my needs, I let him dictate how I functioned in the classroom. His room, his rules, so I didn't move around without a guiding elbow, someone retrieved all my props, and I wasn't allowed to do things alone other students routinely performed solo. Tentative chirpings about being less dependent were met with observations that my ego was getting in the way. Rather than blast my teacher, I let it go thinking maybe he knew something I didn't.
A couple of weeks ago, as per usual, I sat on the floor at the end of class waiting to be retrieved. A student came by and said, "Oh, don't worry, he didn't forget you." It was in that moment that I realized a situation I allowed to happen was perpetuating images of disability I loathe.
The true extent of the problem emerged when I discussed it with someone, who has a good sense of disability issues, but hasn't known me long. He was baffled at my behavior, and questioned why I wasn't pushing back insisting upon treatment that felt right to me. Awareness of my passivity and tolerance of ablist attitudes crashed over me light a ten foot wave.
And that's not even the worst of it. Looking for a means to change the situation, I considered how to start doing what was denied to me. While I could sort out the mechanics, I realized I had no faith in my ability to carry them out. another's doubts had literally caused me to feel less capable.
My KGJ (i.e. Wimp) Approach extended beyond the yoga studio to friendships. Routinely people decline my offers of help or stop my efforts because a sighted person can do it faster, better, or easier. Before, I would get pissy, but now I simply accept it and walk away.
Recently when I mentioned ability in an area, it resulted in a request for help. I was literally shocked and ridiculously grateful which led to realization and more shock. Somehow I'd become convinced I had nothing to offer others that couldn't be done faster and better by another. Thinking back, I even noticed times when I should have offered aid but did not because I felt my efforts would be inadequate.
In other words, people thinking I can't do things combined with me not challenging those notions has eroded my sense of value and ability. It's... disgusting. On an intellectual level, I always knew how a person was treated impacted their self-assessment. Naively I assumed myself immune. Something about living so outside "normal" and "typical" endowed me with protection. The unfortunate truth is that I am not only influenced by others but don't seem to know how to fight back. KGJ has gone from an experiment into ingrained behavior patterns.
You have no idea how much this rocks my world in a bad way. This leads to a question: Can you kick yourself in the ass? Maybe I should consult the yoga instructor on how to go about it.
It began a while back when I decided to become a Kinder Gentler Jen. Accused of being "too independent" and having offered assistance rejected once too often, I decided to take a step back and go with the flow. Perhaps it would make life easier teaching me something important along the way. guess what I've learned? The expression about easier not necessarily being better has major merit.
The KGJ (Kinder Gentler Jen) Approach translated into two major changes or should I say capitulations, the first related to yoga. I have been taking classes entirely composed of non-disabled people since April 2009. Once I discovered the teacher whose approach best suited my needs, I let him dictate how I functioned in the classroom. His room, his rules, so I didn't move around without a guiding elbow, someone retrieved all my props, and I wasn't allowed to do things alone other students routinely performed solo. Tentative chirpings about being less dependent were met with observations that my ego was getting in the way. Rather than blast my teacher, I let it go thinking maybe he knew something I didn't.
A couple of weeks ago, as per usual, I sat on the floor at the end of class waiting to be retrieved. A student came by and said, "Oh, don't worry, he didn't forget you." It was in that moment that I realized a situation I allowed to happen was perpetuating images of disability I loathe.
The true extent of the problem emerged when I discussed it with someone, who has a good sense of disability issues, but hasn't known me long. He was baffled at my behavior, and questioned why I wasn't pushing back insisting upon treatment that felt right to me. Awareness of my passivity and tolerance of ablist attitudes crashed over me light a ten foot wave.
And that's not even the worst of it. Looking for a means to change the situation, I considered how to start doing what was denied to me. While I could sort out the mechanics, I realized I had no faith in my ability to carry them out. another's doubts had literally caused me to feel less capable.
My KGJ (i.e. Wimp) Approach extended beyond the yoga studio to friendships. Routinely people decline my offers of help or stop my efforts because a sighted person can do it faster, better, or easier. Before, I would get pissy, but now I simply accept it and walk away.
Recently when I mentioned ability in an area, it resulted in a request for help. I was literally shocked and ridiculously grateful which led to realization and more shock. Somehow I'd become convinced I had nothing to offer others that couldn't be done faster and better by another. Thinking back, I even noticed times when I should have offered aid but did not because I felt my efforts would be inadequate.
In other words, people thinking I can't do things combined with me not challenging those notions has eroded my sense of value and ability. It's... disgusting. On an intellectual level, I always knew how a person was treated impacted their self-assessment. Naively I assumed myself immune. Something about living so outside "normal" and "typical" endowed me with protection. The unfortunate truth is that I am not only influenced by others but don't seem to know how to fight back. KGJ has gone from an experiment into ingrained behavior patterns.
You have no idea how much this rocks my world in a bad way. This leads to a question: Can you kick yourself in the ass? Maybe I should consult the yoga instructor on how to go about it.
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