The first video (www.youtube.com. (n.d) responds to how the Black Lives Matter movement could ‘learn’ from the Paralympics with Ade Adepitan. He praises the Paralympics’ work to remove barriers from disabled people and creating opportunities for them to ‘shine’. He says, ‘what makes people disabled is not their disability …it’s society.’ So, if all things were made for all people no one would have problems accessing them. The lack of accessibility available is in fact ‘Segregation by design’ as the host describes it. If the same opportunities are made available to everyone, everyone has a chance to excel and this is also true of issues regarding race. Although Adepitan acknowledges improvements have been made in this area he believes there are still major systemic issues at play.
Christine Sun Kim says being Deaf shapes every part of her identity (www.youtube.com, n.d.). She describes her life as “an echo,” referring not just to sound but in how she’s communicated with. She creates infographics that illustrate her communities’ experiences. For Kim, “scale equals visibility.” Her large public artworks insist that Deaf culture is seen and subsequently heard. She mentions the pressure to always explain her work extra clearly, as hearing artists have “the privilege of being misunderstood.” As a Deaf Asian American woman, she feels the need to over-communicate. She also mentions the deaf community’s tendency to stick together rather than face the difficulties of fitting in. Her story highlights systemic barriers to her creativity having been actively excluded from art growing up. Collaboration is central to her work, whether with artists, interpreters or her family. Being around people who understand her always improves her outcomes and productivity.
In the final video Chay Brown, a trans gay man with ‘mental health difficulties’ explains his experience and how it relates to others (www.youtube.com, n.d.). For example, although there are plenty of LGBTQ2+ venues accessibility isn’t always considered. He mentions how a friend in a wheelchair sometimes resorts to urinating in a glass outside due to inadequate facilities. He makes another point: the majority of LGBTQ2+ social events are centred around alcohol which isn’t universally appropriate. He also points out when things are done well. One event was more inclusive by offering a quieter, games room as an alternative to the ‘club’ room catering for socially anxious guests. He mentions a possible solution when guests are asked for requirements before attending could create a model where promoters are more ‘willing to be told’.
There are parallels raised in the UAL video (University of the Arts London, 2020). “Sometimes I feel like I have to tell people my life story just to get what I need’ relates to Christine Sun Kim’s point on over-communication. “Everyday I encounter barriers and things that disable me” aligns with Ade Adepitan’s point on the set up of society disabling individuals. Finally, “We can create a university with everyone in mind” definitely relates to how I need to think about my own practice. I need to give more consideration to the clarity of my communication when creating lesson plans and reading them aloud to the class, also making sure the display mode I am using is suitable to everyone in the room. Also something I’m very guilty of is changing the physicality of the room quite often, in future I need to check in on any mobility issues students may have I need to consider.
References
www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Ade Adepitan gives amazing explanation of systemic racism. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAsxndpgagU [Accessed 10 May 2024].
www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Christine Sun Kim in ‘Friends & Strangers’ – Season 11 | Art21. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpRaEDlLsI.
www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Intersectionality in Focus: Empowering Voices during UK Disability History Month 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yID8_s5tjc.
University of the Arts London (2020). The Social Model of Disability at UAL. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNdnjmcrzgw.
This thought provoking post has some excellent reminders to make sure – in your lovely phrase- we keep creating a university with everyone in mind -I feel that should be written above the door!
I wonder if consulting with the disability service at UAL would help? They have offered some really valuable specific support and insights to students and staff on the Performance courses in the past around spaces and teaching materials .
Hi Daniel
I like how you connected all three videos through that idea of “designing with everyone in mind”—it’s such a clear thread. Christine Sun Kim’s point about hearing artists having “the privilege of being misunderstood” really stuck with me too, especially paired with the UAL quote about having to explain your life story just to be understood. It’s wild how much that resonates across identities. Also, I completely relate to your reflection on the classroom—definitely made me reflect on how I set up my own space and how small changes could make a big difference.