Ableism is a form of discrimination where people with disabilities are deemed inferior, unable and unfit to access equal opportunities in the society (Paramo, 2017). On this basis, people with disabilities are denied opportunities, privileges, and needs on the account of their physical and mental deformations. The society views people with disability as unworthy, less human and of no benefit which has led to the emergence of discriminatory practices, disregard, and unrecognition of people living with a disability. Ableism is witnessed in all areas of political, economic and social representations and among these are education institutions where students with disabilities are not granted same learning provisions like other normal leaners.
Georgia State was recently reported to be an epicenter of ableism where about five thousand students living with disabilities were discriminated, mistreated and denied equal education opportunities. The rationale behind this practice in Georgia is governed by a number of factors. First of all, it could have been the view that students living with disabilities are difficult to handle and teach because their mental or physical impairment requires a kind of special attention and treatment. This could have been the reason behind segregating students with disabilities from the regular classes, having separate restrooms, separate lunch breaks, and separate entrances among others. Another reason could be the thinking that people with disability are of no value and use in the social welfare and that is why some schools in Georgia failed to provide some facilities including science labs, music and art, and gymnasium to students with disabilities. Others were even reportedly been keeping disabled students in basements away from the rest of the students. The practice is a representation of how the society has stereotyped people with disability.
Ableism in Georgian schools does not only deny opportunities and privileges to students living with a disability but also inflicts a sense of low self-esteem which affects them more psychologically. When a disabled student becomes aware that he cannot eat the same food with other students, share same classes, use same restrooms among others, there is a sense in which he or she develops low self-esteem and the feeling that he or she is of a lesser value. Low self-esteem leads to stress which amounts to more devastating outcomes. For instance, Jonathan, a 13-year-old student from Northern Atlanta in Georgia was held in solitary confinement for twenty-nine days because he was mentally impaired. The boy eventually committed suicide. The example explains the psychological torture that students with disabilities may go through when segregated, discriminated and ill-treated (Paramo, 2017).
Addressing Ableism in Georgia State might require a collective responsibility of the society. Setting up special education facilities in Georgia could a remarkable step towards eliminating discrimination against students with disabilities. Special education facilities provide an opportunity for students living with disability to access special attention and treatment with respect to their condition. Teaching all students; abled and disabled under one roof has not been a good strategy because the disabled always require an outstanding treatment, care, and attention which may not be afforded collectively.
Ableism in the society need not be viewed as inability but rather a deformation which does not subtract anything from someone’s potential and right to education among other basic needs (Paramo, 2017). The narrative that people with disability are a burden to the society needs to be overhauled and replaced with a positive mindset, care and good attitude towards them. Policies ought to be instituted which protect the people living with mental and physical impairment against mistreatment, and discrimination from the society.
References
https://www.pbs.org/video/georgia-segregates-kids-with-disabilities-behavior-problems-1445556187/
Paramo, M. (2017). An Ableist Society: What Does Disability Look Like?.
