"Eliminating Ableism" by Hehir and "Examined Life"
Cassie Abatecola
Thomas Hehir defines ableism as the "devaluation of disability," which creates the social biases of wishing to walk instead of roll, speak instead of sign, read print instead of Braille, spell independently instead of use a spell-check, mingle with nondisabled students instead of disabled classmates. Hehir points out these ableist practices through critiques of research and historical practice in educating children who are deaf, blind, visually impaired, or learning disabled through dyslexia. He argues that habitual ableist assumptions in educating children with disabilities not only perpetuate stereotypes but also result in lower levels of educational achievement and employment opportunities. Drawing on his many years of service as the previous director of the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education, Associate Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools, and Director of Special Education at Boston Public Schools, Hehir provides six down-to-earth suggestions that will reverse ableist approaches and attitudes in schools.
