I found it very interesting to learn about the Disability Rights movement and the history behind this cause. In an article I read about a presentation at a Workers World convention, I continued to learn about the many ways individuals with disabilities faced, and continue to face, opposition and discrimination. The woman who spoke at the convention was a representative for the caucus of people with disabilities. She explains in the article that the caucus serves to address and remedy the many social and political issues that surround individuals with disabilities. Often times we view disabilities as a medical or psychological health issue, and neglect to notice how individuals with disabilities are affected in social and political aspects of daily life. The caucus' goal is to "strive to be highly respectful of, to learn from, and to build solidarity with each other."
In reading this article I learned about many issues that individuals with disabilities faced historically. For example, I learned about wage discrimination and how the 1938 Minimum Wage Act excluded individuals with disabilities. Although progress has been made, there is still some lingering evidence of such discrimination and exclusion today.
In the work I have been doing for my service learning project, I have witnessed many of the ways that Disability Rights influence individuals with disabilities today. I have taken many bus rides on wheel chair accessible busses with the man I assist. It is wonderful that the city of Madison provides public transportation access to all persons, but I have also witnessed how this service is not entirely equal for those individuals with disabilities. To utilize a bus service that is wheel chair accessible in Madison, the bus must be scheduled days in advance. The city does a great job of making sure there are enough busses to provide this service throughout Madison, however, there is a level of inconvenience and required planning for individuals with disabilities that individuals without disabilities do not need to account for. Another way I have witnessed Disability Rights is through services provided by the VA hospital. I have learned about the various services, such as financial assistance for basic care needs, that the hospital provides for it's patients. These are only a couple of examples of Disability Rights being granted to Individuals with disabilities. There are tons of ways individuals with disabilities lives have changed throughout history through the enactment of various Acts and organizations that have formed. Unfortunately, however, despite the many political and social efforts made there is still much progress to be done.
Article: http://www.workers.org/articles/2013/12/20/civil-rights-people-disabilities/
In reading this article I learned about many issues that individuals with disabilities faced historically. For example, I learned about wage discrimination and how the 1938 Minimum Wage Act excluded individuals with disabilities. Although progress has been made, there is still some lingering evidence of such discrimination and exclusion today.
In the work I have been doing for my service learning project, I have witnessed many of the ways that Disability Rights influence individuals with disabilities today. I have taken many bus rides on wheel chair accessible busses with the man I assist. It is wonderful that the city of Madison provides public transportation access to all persons, but I have also witnessed how this service is not entirely equal for those individuals with disabilities. To utilize a bus service that is wheel chair accessible in Madison, the bus must be scheduled days in advance. The city does a great job of making sure there are enough busses to provide this service throughout Madison, however, there is a level of inconvenience and required planning for individuals with disabilities that individuals without disabilities do not need to account for. Another way I have witnessed Disability Rights is through services provided by the VA hospital. I have learned about the various services, such as financial assistance for basic care needs, that the hospital provides for it's patients. These are only a couple of examples of Disability Rights being granted to Individuals with disabilities. There are tons of ways individuals with disabilities lives have changed throughout history through the enactment of various Acts and organizations that have formed. Unfortunately, however, despite the many political and social efforts made there is still much progress to be done.
Article: http://www.workers.org/articles/2013/12/20/civil-rights-people-disabilities/