Hehir, on ableism and Taylor & Butler Video

     The reading and the video have me questioning the meaning of being a person. What does it mean to be normal? who created the rules of society and what's acceptable? Why do we struggle to see the humanity in anyone that doesn't fit the norm? 

We have built a life that constantly requires someone to be better but basing that off of the ideal person. Usually meaning a white, able body man, after him is a white able body woman with blond hair and blue eyes. Leaving majority of us out of the standard of perfection. Like many social and structural issues, we have improved on the treatment of those who are oppressed and alienated but we haven't changed the systems that uphold them, and we turn a blind eye to them when we are not affected. We are far from being an inclusive society and I fair that for the disabled community the change is greater than what we can ever understand. Things as simple as a cross walk can be made inaccessible when we create from a place of ignorance and lack of consideration. In providence there are crosswalk/speed bump, for those on a wheelchair this is a dangerous way to cross the street and can easily lead to falling over because you are being required to walk on the strip lines. We also have many buildings lacking access for those who need walking assistance. I can list many things in our life that we take for granted. Like uber, uber isn't as inclusive as we would like to think. How many vehicles are actually handicap accessible? Did you care before I asked the question?  Do you think it's as accessible as regular uber? The answer is they have vehicle for wheelchairs, but it was difficult to use and find and I was just trying it out on my phone. Also, the website claims that I can see the ride for them on the app but there wasn't any or any in my area. All this to say we are far from being better humans. The idea of inclusivity shouldn't be taught in just social work careers or teaching, it should be taught in every field because we all interact with people and the choices, we make today affect us all. Until it affects us, we live a carefree life, only those affected care.