SPC ED 511: Social Construction of Disability
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    April 28, 2009 (class #15)


    Topic: The Social Construction of Disability and the World of Work

    Class outline:
    Announcements, questions, and quandaries:
    • Final essay due next week. 
    • Remember, no late papers accepted for the final assignment.
    • Keep going with the wiki through the last week of class (not finals week).
    • Come and see me if you have questions. 
    Interactive presentation on Social Security and ADA
    Small group discussion:
      In what ways do workplace accommodations contribute to the social construction of disability? Consider both the negative and positive implications.
    Quick write: "How might personal perspectives on disability differ from 'professional' perspectives? Why is it important to hear from people with disabilities about what it means to have a disability, instead of just 'leaving it to the experts'?
    Interactive presentation on Sheltered Workshops
    Small Gorup activity:
    • Read “The Stigma of Not Working” out loud in your small groups: http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/departments/closerlook/001095.html
    • Discuss the implications of Foley’s discussion of work.
    • How might the framework of education (especially at the high school level) change if the ultimate goal is not employment for employment’s sake?
    Minute paper

    Overheads:

    • PowerPoint

     
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    Reading Questions:
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      Note: All of the readings, required and recommended, can be found on electronic reserves at Zimmerman library. Please contact the instructor for the course password.
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    Author: Harlan & Roberts (1998)
    1.) On page 400, regarding basic features of institutions, the authors state that "These seemingly ordinary arrangements that structure our work days and work lives are not the inevitable form of organizations, but rather are deeply rooted in historical divisions of labor between classes, genders, racial groups, and people with and without disabilities." What do you understand the authors to be saying here?
    2.) Can you provide any examples of how this statement might pertain to schools?
    3.) The purpose of the authors in this articles was to "ask how and why organizations resist making reasonable accommodations for employees" (p. 398-9). Do you feel they make their case clearly? What seemed to be their main arguments? Were they convincing?
    4.) What does this article have to do with the social construction of disability?
    5.) Now that you've read this article:
    • ...what seem to be some important concepts in this reading?
    • ...what are some new terms for you?
    • ...what new questions do you have?

    Author: Wilton (2006)
    1.) What does Wilton mean when referring to "non-standard" and "precarious" work?
    2.) What patterns are revealed by this study's quantitative data?
    3.) Chose one of the four presented work histories. How does this individual's story demonstrate the way that employment can contribute to the social construction of disability?
    4.) Now that you've read this article:
    • ...what seem to be some important concepts in this reading?
    • ...what are some new terms for you?
    • ...what new questions do you have?

    * To view PDF documents, such as the readings on reserve, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader
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    Extra Resources:
    Website Links:

       
    • An essay on sheltered workshops: http://www.blind.net/g3800001.htm
    • "From sheltered workshops to supported employment" 1988 ~ written by a self advocate: http://thechp.syr.edu/kdywork.htm
    • Commentary on sheltered workshops from the Brain Injury Resource Foundation: http://www.birf.info/home/library/school/schwork_shelwork.html
    • Social Security page showing benefits/qualification criteria for receiving disability benefits: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/
    • "ADA, Accomodations, and You":

    • http://www.jobweb.com/studentarticles.aspx?id=826


    Recommended Readings on reserve:
    Gleeson, B. (1999). Beyond goodwill: The materialist view of disability. Social Alternatives, 18(1), 11-17.
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    Julia Scherba de Valenzuela, Ph.D.
    Last updated: April 22, 2009