Blog #9 Eliminating Ableism in Education- Dakota Amaral

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 Reading: Eliminating Ableism in Education

Author: Thomas Hehir



Argument: 

In the reading "Eliminating Ableism in Education" Thomas argues that educational systems have been shaped by ableist beliefs. Assumptions that students with disabilities are less capable than their non-disabled peers. Hehir contends that these biases are embedded in both polices and practices, leading to segregation, lowered expectation, and limited access for students with disabilities. He emphasizes that ableism, rather than disability itself, is a major barrier to educational equity. He advocates for inclusive educational practices that presume competence, prioritize individuals strengths, and ensure that students with disabilities are held to high standards within general education settings. He ultimately calls for a systemic shift that dismantles ableist norms and promotes equity for all learners. 





Reflection: 

Hehir's emphasis on presuming competence was particularly powerful. It made me realize that fostering equity means not just including students with disabilities physically in classrooms, but also providing them with the tools, support, and expectations to thrive academically and socially. His argument feels more like a call to action not just for educators, but for everyone involved in education. To rethink what fairness and inclusivity really look like. It's not about treating everyone the same, it's about ensuring every students has the opportunity to succeed, without ableist barriers getting in the way. 

Comments

  1. Siera JeetanApril 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM

    Hi Dakota! I agree with you that it is important to ensure that everyone is giving the opportunity to succeed. A lot of the time people think that inclusion is just about treating everyone the same, however in a way that is just ignorant because when you treat everyone the same, they miss out on the resources they need. In order to be actually inclusive in the classroom it's important to both allow students with disabilities into the physical space, but also making sure that they are given the support they need to thrive and succeed.

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