Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit
(article in ACPA Standing Committee on Disability Newsletter,
Winter 2010)
Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit debuted
at Saint Louis University (St. Louis, Missouri) on October 27, 2010 with over one hundred and fifty students, faculty, staff
and community members in attendance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
National Disability Employment Awareness Month,. The purpose of The Ability Exhibit is to promote the inclusion of people
with disabilities through respect for others, comfort during interactions, and awareness of disability issues. Using a multi-media
approach to demonstrate respect, comfort and awareness, the exhibit offers suggestions for becoming disability allies and
educators.
The Ability Exhibit began as a project by graduate
student Anne Marie Carroll in Professor Karen Myers’ Disabilities in Higher Education and Society class. Karen (former
SCD Chair and co-founder) was so inspired by Anne Marie’s project that a team was formed under Karen’s direction
with Anne Marie as project manager, Kate Goedde, intern and AJ Friedhoff, graduate assistant to take the exhibit idea to a
larger scale. The team gained sponsorship from the Saint Louis University (SLU) Leadership and Higher Education Department
and the SLU Division of Student Development (under the leadership of Vice President, Kent Porterfield) with generous donations
from the SLU Division of Information Technology Services and Logan College of Chiropractic (Chesterfield, MO). The Ability
Exhibit is comprised of 12 seven-foot banners displaying disability statistics; 20 panels depicting the disability movement,
celebrities with disabilities, and person-first language; interactive activities including “Who do you know?”
pegboard and the communication “space rope”; computer quizzes; videos and slides about people with disabilities,
disability law, and Universal Instructional Design, and tips for becoming an ally. In addition, the exhibit drew agencies
supporting people with disabilities from across Saint Louis to educate the SLU community about inclusion of all people on
campus, in the community, and in greater society.
“I
am so impressed with my students’ conscientious efforts and genuine dedication to this project and to disability education,”
said Myers. “They are true educators and allies who are engaged in ensuring inclusion for all people. The students
and volunteers did a superb job, and I look forward to sharing this exhibit with other colleges and universities for years
to come.” Plans are underway to take the exhibit to other campuses.
Disability education is for everyone by everyone, and disability awareness is an ongoing event. All members of the
campus community – administrators, faculty, staff and students, should recognize it as a shared responsibility. Teaching
others about inclusion is not the sole responsibility of disability services or diversity and affirmative action offices;
rather, it is up to each of us to model inclusive behavior. As Baxter Magolda (1999) purports in Defining and redefining student
learning, all domains on campus should be integrated, involved, and take responsibility in the learning process. Through respect
for others, comfort during interactions, and awareness of disability issues, everyone can be disability educators and allies
(Evans, Assadi, & Herriott, 2005; Myers & Bastian, 2010).
It
has been twenty years since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and almost forty years since
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Both of these laws protect against discrimination of people with disabilities by requiring
equal access to employment, education, goods and services. Americans have progressed in their attitudes and behaviors toward
people with disabilities; however, there remain questions and concerns about appropriate communication, comfort level, and
inclusive practices. When it comes to interacting with individuals with disabilities, people continually ask, “What
should I do?” How should I respond?” “Is it okay to say that?” “How can I become an ally?”
It is our intent that Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit will answer some of these questions.
The Ability Exhibit is a welcoming, educational, and user-friendly experience for
people of all ages. If you are interested in hosting Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit on your campus, please contact
Karen Myers at kmyers11@slu.edu.
References
Baxter Magolda, M. (1999). Defining and redefining student learning.
In E. Whitt (Ed.) Student learning as student affairs work. NASPA Monograph series 23, (pp. 35-49). Washington, D.C.: National
Association of Student Personnel Administrators
Evans, N.,
Assadi, J, Herriott, T. (2005). Encouraging the development of disability allies. New Directions for Student Services, (110),
(pp. 67-79). New York: H. W. Wilson.
Myers, K. &
Bastian, J. (May/June 2010). Understanding Communication Preferences of College Students with Visual Disabilities. Journal
of College Student Development. 51(3), 265-278