Reflection
Looking back upon many of my writing this semester:
both in this journal and in my pop culture blog, one thing really strikes me:
how unaware I was before this course of the necessary accommodations that
businesses and organizations must meet to effectively serve individuals with disabilities
and the number of individuals with disabilities.
Not only was I uninformed
about these accommodations and this population, I was just plain naive. Now,
having broadened my perspective, I notice when access areas don’t have
automatic doors or ramps. I notice the young woman struggling to use a cane on
an unpaved parking lot. I look for the computer access terminal where a
wheelchair could comfortably fit. I notice the sign that has no imagery for the
illiterate.
I now realize just how unaware of these important accommodations
I was. I also know that it is not enough to simply notice, I must vocalize my
observations in an attempt to create change. It’s not enough for the able-bodied
individual to rely upon disabled individuals to voice their disappointment when
access is not provided. The able-bodied must join with them in voice and vocalize
these discrepancies. It’s not only the
right thing to do; it’s our responsibility as members of the greater library
and information science community.
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