Using Disability Studies Theory: A Case Study In Student Activism

“Using Disability Studies Theory to Change Disability Services: A Case Study in Student Activism” outlines Syracuse University struggles with disability-related topics. Some of the university’s students formed a committee called Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee to be the voice for the disabled students. The article follows their journey in struggles with implementing handicap-accessible areas and study material for a student that was blind (Cory, White, & Stuckey, 2010). This article reminds me of a close friend from my old neighborhood. He got into a really bad car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. After the accident some friends and I helped his parent modify their home to accommodate for his wheelchair. When tragic accidents like that help it really makes you put thing into perspective.

The most important word in the article is activism.

Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary (n.d) defines activism as “a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue” I chose activism because it shows that they were passionate about help the disable students. The most important statement or line in the article is “Disability studies theory insists that the “problem” with disability is not in the person, but in the environment” (Cory et al., 2010, p. 35). I find this statement really interesting and true. The environment needs to accommodate the person with the disability instead of the person accommodating the environment. The word not in the article that I would best explain the article is consistent. Consistency is defined as “always acting or behaving in the same way” (“Consistent,” n.d.). I chose this word because the BCCC consistently met with the administration of the school to discuss issues and concerns of the

students.
The less obvious topic in this article is disregarded. Disregard is defined as, “To pay no attention to: treat as unworthy of regard or notice” (“Disregard,” n.d.). I chose this because the students’ issues and concerns were being overlooked by the school administration.