Universal Design Case Study

LE FIVE: ABLESIM, AGEISM, AND ADULTISM
STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What social historical factors play into the construction of disabilities?
The United States, for hundreds of years, has highly valued economic productivity, which has in turn had a negative effect on socially constructed views about people with disabilities. Throughout history disabilities have been viewed differently by different groups, for example, religious groups thought disabilities were caused by sin. It is sad to say that America and Europe promoted “freak shows” which showcased a person with a severe mental illness as a form of entertainment. The treatment of handicapped people also varied greatly from region to region. These perceptions of persons with disabilities were passed

Those who fall under this category must be supported in some form, whether that is through family, welfare assistance, or charity. This creates a problem formed from a social stigma about those who don’t work and receive money from the government. Bryan believed that these persons’ independence, self-dignity, and ability to participate as an American citizen would suffer (Adams, 2013).
3. What are the primary principles of Universal Design and how can these be applied to various educational contexts?
When I first read principles of Universal Design I immediately thought of inclusion. The Universal Deign is to promote and assist students with disabilities to equal education opportunities. I attended the Mrs. Wheelchair Florida event last month and many of the participants discussed the importance of inclusion and updating schools to become wheelchair accessible. I remember one of the contestants saying, when somebody asks me to go to an event, I don’t think about what clothes I am going to wear but if that place is wheelchair accessible. The Universal Design has also made its way into educational contexts. Teachers can incorporate Universal Design through various different ways by providing students with an instructional climate, encourage interaction and communication among students, minimizing physical effort in learning, etc.

What is the difference between adultism and ageism?
I think ageism is a stereotyping elderly people into a category such as being senile or old fashioned. It is sad to go on a social media site such as Facebook and read the responses toward elderly people. Sometimes people are extremely bitter and I want to say something; however, I know that it would just start an argument I cannot win. Something I did not think about when writing my definition of ageism was loss of voice and participation in society. Before reading this section, I had never heard of adultism. Adultism sounds as if it is an act of oppression toward the younger generation by adults. I am assuming this term adultism regards the younger generation as inferior to an adult. It basically states that young people have not had the experiences necessary to make decisions; thus their opinions are not