Heads up: This episode is lengthier than normal, and split into two segments. In the first segment, the I-squared crew discuss why people with disabilities aren’t included in discussions about diversity, how this contributes to exclusion and discrimination in society, and ways folks with disabilities can be included. In the second segment, Raven brings Rochelle back to discuss courses Rochelle took regarding diversity and inclusion, and to pick her brain about course content, how people with disabilities are included or excluded, ways course content could improve, and how organizations serving disabled individuals can help ensure disability is a part of diversity discussions.

Discussion Summary:

00:55: Conversations about diversity exclude people with disabilities.

01:46: The aversion to people with disabilities, and not being allowed to demonstrate our merit. People don’t see themselves in us. Anybody can become disabled at any time, and they avoid us because they see their biggest fear in us.

04:20: Stories of disabled people focusing on them overcoming tragedy, rather than celebrating their successes, the way nondisabled people’s accomplishments are acknowledged.

07:47: Folks with disabilities not acknowledging when they’re disabled, or downplaying disability. Being in denial about your disability because of the way you’ve seen people react to disabled people.

12:59: Some ways in which disabled people are an afterthought regarding buildings, websites, education, and with workplace materials.

18:23: It seems people don’t think of diversity beyond race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. People don’t consider disabled people as a part of society, and so they don’t include them when creating materials or technology.

20;45: Olivia shares some stories from her education at the school for the blind that demonstrates how low the bar is set for folks who are blind.

28:23: The drawbacks to always having a separate place for disabled people, and how that negatively affects inclusivity.

32:00: Making things accessible can benefit disabled and nondisabled people, and is also helpful when people are temporarily disabled.

37:38: Raven intros Rochelle, who’s pursuing a degree in clinical mental health counselling.

38:28: Courses Rochelle took that focus on culture and diversity, what minorities were discussed, and to what extent disabilities are discussed in course material.

40:39: The ways in which disability was discussed in course content.

42:02: Rochelle’s thoughts about why disabilities aren’t included as much as other minorities in course content, and general discussions about diversity.

44:19: What organizations serving people with disabilities can do to raise greater awareness, and give disability a greater presence in diversity discussions.

49:58: Individuals with disabilities having greater representation in a positive light.

51:30: How Rochelle’s course textbooks eclipsed the experience of people with disabilities with comparisons to other minorities.

56:38: The disabled community being portrayed in a way that shows how well they can rise to others’ expectations, rather than teaching people to accept folks with disabilities no matter who they are.

57:48: Rochelle’s experience with trying to bring up people with disabilities in a diversity discussion at her college, and establishments changing to be inclusive of all minorities upfront, not just one group at a time.

1:1:43: How a particular course focused on the black community, and not very much on other minorities. But the professor encouraged Rochelle to share her experiences with, and represent the disability community to her classmates.

1:4:11: Raven talks about awareness exhaustion, referring to people who are sick of having to adapt and be tolerant to yet another group.

1:6:12: It’s unfair not to talk about the subcategories within the disability community when discussing disability.

1:8:27: How disability can be covered more comprehensively in course materials, to teach people to be more inclusive and accepting.

1:12:56: The impacts Rochelle would like courses to have if they discussed disability more openly and extensively.

1:13:51: A time a professor asked Rochelle’s opinion on showing a video of a talk given by an individual who’s disabled, and confronting discomfort in the classroom.

1:19:06: Bringing the individual’s perspective into discussions about disability, and more about the professor who wanted Rochelle to educate her classmates about disability, rather than using educational materials produced by other folks with disabilities.

1:24:50: Thank you to Rochelle!

1:25:00: Outro.

Social media: Twitter @I_squaredpod, and our public Facebook group, Intersectional Insights.

Music credits:

Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Transition: "Leopard Print Elevator" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams