Ableism refers to the dominant practices and attitudes within the society which either devalues, limits, or demeans the potentials of the individuals living with disabilities (Logan " Burdick-will, 2016). It forms a set of beliefs and practices that make the people with psychiatric, emotional, developmental, and physical disabilities feel inferior. Arguably, ableism is a principle used in putting across the idea that disabled individuals are not as good as the able ones.
Georgia’s Segregation of Students with Disabilities
According to the video, a research conducted by the U.S Justice Department established that Georgia was segregating students illegally (“Georgia segregates kids with disabilities, behavior problems | PBS NewsHour,” 2015). Some of the programs carried out by Georgia were found to be housed in dilapidated buildings which were once used during the Jim Crow era as the all-black school.
Georgia’s Rationale for this Practice
According to the talks between Alan Judd and Judy Woodruff in the video, the rationale of Georgia’s practice was racial separation, isolating students with disabilities, as well as to codify the institution with white supremacy (“Georgia segregates kids with disabilities, behavior problems | PBS NewsHour,” 2015). The act was accomplished through the use of Jim Crow laws that which exposed the black Georgians to pervasion and suffering.
Damaging Segregation
Horrifically, the Georgian had damaging propounds as Judd and Woodruff discusses in the video. Segregation made the black to suffer system discrimination in playgrounds, access to public spaces, and facilities (White " White, 2018). The damaging isolation caused some students to be stored in dilapidated buildings which according to the video, were once used as all-black schools.
How can Georgia Address this Issue?
However, Georgia can address the issues through integration of schools and encourage housing plans to attract black and white, able and disabled students (White " White, 2018). The buildings should be designed in a way which should attract the minority residence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, segregation reduces the capacity of students with disabilities to achieve their potential. It has terrifying effects like denial of accessing to public utilities and space. However, since the video reported that segregation at Georgia was illegal, the schools practicing it should address the issue by integrating houses and classes to attract even the minorities.
References
“Georgia segregates kids with disabilities, behavior problems | PBS NewsHour.” (2015). PBS.org. Retrieved on April 23, 2018, from https://www.pbs.org/video/georgia-segregates-kids-with-disabilities-behavior-problems-1445556187/
Logan, J. R., " Burdick‐Will, J. U. L. I. A. (2016). School segregation, charter schools, and access to quality education. Journal of urban affairs, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 323-343.
White, A. E., " White, L. L. (2018). A collaborative model for students with mild disabilities in middle schools. Focus on Exceptional Children, 24(9).
