Blog Forum #2 / Advocating for Change
VB Group 2 / Exclusive
Amanda, Denise, Jack, Tamara, Heidi, Allison, Brent, Kathryn, Chelsie, Devin, Dana, Darlene, Travis, Lillian
In your textbook, you can find the following quote regarding how public pressure helped
to strengthen the protections and guarantees
in the Section 504 regulations:
"Angered at this lack of interest in moving the law forward through the issuance of regulations, advocacy groups for persons with disabilities began to exert political pressure....Demonstrations and sit-ins were held at regional HEW offices..." (p. 95, Yell)
This blog discussion - worth 50 points - gives
you a chance to express your perspectives on
the role of advocacy, political action, and
public protest in bringing about changes and
improvements for individuals with special needs
as well as for members of other traditionally
marginalized groups in society.
In conducting this conversation, please
consider the following information from
a disability-rights advocate who participated
in the protests that helped to push political
leaders to strengthen and finalize the
regulations for Section 504 in 1977, nearly
five years after the law was passed.
Information about Kitty Cone, at the Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/collections/drilm/collection/items/cone.html
A Short History of the 504 Sit-in, by Kitty Cone
http://dredf.org/504site/histover.html
Do you agree with the approach of advocates
like Kitty Cone? Why or why not? Is there
a legitimate role for this kind of political
action on behalf of children with disabilities
today? Explain your view. Discuss the views
of others and respond to each other's comments,
please.
This blog will close on Monday, October 8th.
Public protest has historically been a strong tool used by disenfranchised groups in society to bring about changes and improvements to their civil rights. We can recall similar instances to the 504 sit in during the fight for the civil rights of women and minorities in our country. We can also recall similar discrepancies in what legislation is meant to do, and the reality of how it can be implemented. In the case of Section 504, additional regulations were needed to interpret the language of the legislation as it applied to the various contingencies. This is where the role of public protest by advocates such as Kitty Cone is sometimes needed to ensure that the legislation is able to serve its intended purpose. I think there is still much work to be done when it comes to political action on behalf of children with disabilities today. There may be a need for a modern day Kitty Cone type of public protest to ensure that these children continue to receive political attention.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment that there is still much work to be done on behalf of children with disabilities today. While I agree that types of public protest can be extremely effective, I do believe, as has been seen in the last few years, effective social media campaigns can be used to bring individuals, schools, laws, lawmakers, and others to task regarding missteps.
DeleteWhat may be lacking today, that was effective in 1977 was a group of people working together for a common goal. I believe that many advocacy groups have become segmented, and while individuals with disabilities may be a common term, the number of groups have also segmented and become highly individualized to raise awareness for specific disabilities. This provides a number of positive goals, but I do believe it would take a common group working together to provide a loud enough voice to create a large and swift change as seen in 1977.
Amanda,
DeleteI agree with your statements regarding the roles of advocates such as Kitty Cone. These people are often times needed to make sure legislation is correctly doing their job. Often times groups such as those with disabilities are overlooked or are unable to voice their concerns. This is where people like Kitty Cole come in. Good Post!
~Darlene Sipe
I agree with your comment about all of the work that still needs to be done for children with disabilities. It is important that people continue to fight for these kids so that things will continue to improve.
DeleteAmanda,
DeleteI agree with you entirely! Children still need courageous people to step up and advocate for their rights so that both education and society as a whole will move forward and be improved. I am glad that you mention women's and minority rights in your post, because those are great examples of other times when political activism has affected great changes in our laws and how we live day-to-day.
Tammy Meneses
DeleteI think 504 was so important. I am truly thankful for people that stand up for every ones rights. Not all of us have the time, make the time, or have the courage to stand up for others. We all have known someone or will know someone with a disability. Someone has to stand up for the rights of children. Children are are most important responsibility and so many times all their rights are taken from them and they are not taken care of, if it is abuse or just not looking out for their rights (which is also abuse) we need to stand up for their rights.I think as being teachers and parents we have the chance to teach others how important it is to treat everyone with the same respect that we would want no matter what their disability. Too many times people take a label and think it means they can't have an opinion or make choices for themselves. Every child is different and every child will have different needs. I'm glad that things have changed and I hope we continue to see changes since society and children are still continually changing. I wished I had as much passion as Kitty Cone and I could endure as she did. Reading over this section really makes me feel a little selfish. I have to remind myself that each of us can help in our own way, whether it is showing by example, teaching children to respect individual differences between each other or taking a stand, we can lead the example. Most all of us have been treated as less at some point, it might be because we are a women, because we are not white, because we didn’t have enough money, or because we just don’t fit in to the main group. I am thankful that many laws have changed that, and I wouldn’t want us to stop there with the law, it needs to protect everyone.
I think that the biggest hindrance to regulation was ignorance. It seemed to me that a lot of the difficulties with how 504 was implemented was a lack of understanding by the judiciary on how people with disabilities interact with their environment. There is a clear lack of understanding in place if someone believes that just opening a bus door is enough.
DeleteAs originally written, I feel Section 504 was a well-intentioned law that quite obviously lacked teeth in the form of interpretation and enforcement. It was a recognition, on the part of individuals who craft the law to recognize a drastic shift in our country, and the way we view persons with disabilities and the opportunities they should be afforded. The approaches of advocates such as Kitty Cone, including the sit-ins in 1977 were approaches I whole-heartedly agree with. While I believe the law was well intentioned, without a push, in the form of some sort of public protest I hesitate to think the government may not have acted to find ways to enforce compliance to Section 504.
ReplyDeleteWithin our country public protest has been an effective way of bringing about change and awareness to marginalized groups within our society. I feel, in the last 30 – 35 years there has been a shift in our country, where many forms of public protest have given way to “calling out” of issues from a social media standpoint, which I believe can be just as effective. It is my belief that the continuum of creating change socially and politically begins with advocacy, which helps, creates action in the social and political realm, which can bring about public protests, or possibly in today’s society a social media campaign to call for change.
It is the individuals, such as Kitty Cone, and countless others who protested for basic civil rights that set a historical example that change can be created when voices are given a chance to be heard, and often enough it takes a large group of very loud voices to cause swift change as happened in 1977
Travis,
DeleteI really like how you mention that the Section 504 regulations were well-intentioned. I also like how you express the approaches of advocates like Kitty Cone and also fully agree with these actions. I also strongly believe advocates such as her are often needed to implement needed change. Without advocacy groups, the public may not fully be aware of changes which are needed. They absolutely help to give voice to those people who are not able to fully voice their concerns themselves. Good Post!
~Darlene Sipe
Travis, you really summed everything in this post!
DeleteI think after reading yours I understood even better.
I also agree with you and your actions. I think that advocates are needed everywhere, and not just for things like children, but in every area.
Travis,
DeleteWhat an excellent and well written post. I agree with everything you said and I am happy to see that you took the time to write a well thought out post. It shows that you really care and that is important.
Travis,
DeleteI like that you mention that Section 205, just like all other legislation, was well-intentioned. The problem lies in the difference between theory and actuality. Laws and regulations are always intended to improve something for the people, but in reality, they do not always achieve their intended goals for a number of reasons. This is where activism is needed to alert governing bodies to the need for change.
I like your comments about social media. It has changed some of the tools people use to protest, but the spirit remains the same. I feel that without the protesters, real change in regards to 504 would have taken years. The problem I see is that too many people are content to follow the rules rather than following what is right.
DeleteIts good that you mentioned the law having good intent. Back in the 70s the social media was lacking compared to today and protesting was a great way to get attention for a cause and show importance through numbers of people. Today writing a letter to newspapers and magazines can have similar impact and attorneys have an even greater impact on how things are handled. Many of the protests today are pertaining to issues that don't have a law in place and are often based on self-interest. I feel that since the laws for those with disabilities is already on the books and intent toward those with disabilities being given an equal opportunity is in place, there should be repercussions and lawsuits toward those who violate the law. This would be a quicker process than protesting and trying to get new legislature. Adding regulations and new amendments to existing legislature is a much easier method and I would be hard-pressed to believe any congressman would want to paint themselves to be against people with disabilities. Any business or public service that isn't making sure that they abide by the act would be best dealt with through law enforcement and making the issue public. The best way to motivate someone to reform their methods is to make them see that it will cost them more if they don't change. When I was in High School, a state representative came to our school and pointed out that the second floor wasn't accessible to those with a handicap. The school received strong words over this and by the following Monday we had contractors putting an elevator in the auditorium. The fear of facing possible lawsuit or losing funds was a great motivator.
DeleteThe roles of advocacy, political action, and public protest are great when it comes to bringing about changes in society. These groups offer anything from individual statements to mass demonstrations for their causes. In these ways, they are making their opinions heard in an effort to ultimately influence government policy or public opinion. With the ultimate goal of procuring change, groups such as these join together to ensure their voices are heard. The roles of these groups are immense when it comes to bringing about change. Just as with the issuance of the Section 504 regulations, these groups often bring about positive change.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to advocates like Kitty Cone, I believe it is sometimes necessary to take such action and approach. Throughout history, advocates like her have paved the way for positive change to individuals such as those with disabilities. Often times government policy needs to be changed, and would not happen is due time without advocacy, political action, or public protest. Individuals with disabilities, especially children, continue to need advocates such as Kitty Cone to ensure their voices and concerns are not overlooked, but instead heard.
Darlene,
DeleteI think you make some great points in your post! I definitely agree that the most advocacy is needed where children are concerned. They cannot fully understand the laws and what they mean personally for them, so adults need to step in and speak out on behalf of those who cannot do so for themselves.
I think that political action and protest are great when done in a good and safe way. When a group of people really come forward and demonstrate their feelings, or talk to people about their cause it can have such a positive effect. Especially when it comes to advocates like Kitty Cone. I think she has set a path for everyone trying to protest.
ReplyDeleteI think that teachers should be the heart of protesting for children with disabilities. They are the ones who day in and day out are with these children and really understand what these children are going through and what they need.
Section 504 regulations, these are always positive and bring great changes. When there are people who decide to fight for what they believe in then I positive change can happen.
I wholeheartedly agree with your statement regarding protests being done in a safe way. I believe as you do that educators should be integral parts of advocacy and protest, and as leaders and examples for students it should go without saying we should model nonviolent forms of protest. One of the articles mentions persons in the 504 protests using their wheelchairs to block driveways of policy makers and I believe this is a wonderful idea. Along with the sit-ins I cannot think of better ways to make a cause known and bring issues to the forefront in a passionate but safe way.
DeleteOne thing the school I work for does with the self-contained special education students I work with is try its hardest to integrate them in to the schools social fabric. Students from other classes come to read to our students, the teachers in our special education programs teach lessons in the regular education rooms about differences and what makes people special. Providing students the opportunity to get to know one another at an early age is a way to raise awareness in the community for individuals with special needs. As the children get older, I have seen first-hand that they remember these experiences and are more apt to understand and voice their opinions regarding the issues facing individuals with special needs today.
Hi Travis! It's great that your school encourages constant interaction between special ed and regular ed students. You make a great point about students getting to know each other at a young age and how that positively contributes to their overall awareness of differences in the world. When I think of how different it was when I was young, it makes me sad---my husband graduated with three students he didn't even know were in his class because students with disabilities were taught in a separate area of his school. I'm so glad that has changed!
DeleteI agree that teachers are the most important advocates for students with disabilities. A lot of disabled students literally don't have a way to communicate how they are feeling, what they are feeling, etc. So, role models such as teachers need to step up and fight for these students. In this day and age, ever-evolving technology makes it possible to get the word out quickly about issues affecting students with disabilities.
DeleteI agree with you 100% Denise! I think you make some great points when you state that teachers should be at the heart of advocating for children with disabilities! They do have the best understanding of the child's day-to-day needs, and therefore can fight to fulfill those needs. I also love that you mention protesting in a safe way. That is a huge point with political activism! It can be done in professional and non-dangerous ways rather than in ways that can hurt someone, and in my opinion, governing bodies should pay more attention to protests and activists who are safe and focused than those that haphazardly fight on an impulse for their perceived wrong.
DeleteIn general, I typically agree with protesting in any form. Through out the history of our nation, there have been many times when things couldn't be accomplished in any other way. Sometimes making a fuss is the only way to get things done right, and I admire people who are brave enough and strong enough to do it.
ReplyDeleteI think that all advocacy groups and efforts are important to the progress of our communities. Without advocacy groups, there would be a lot of things that go unlearned by the public and also a lot of laws, rules, and regulations that continue to be poorly written or not well enough enforced. As sad as it is to say, sometimes advocacy groups are the only people on the side of an issue, which makes them all the more important. I hope that people continue to stand strong in what they believe in and fight for the people who really deserve to have someone on their side.
Hi, Chelsie! I agree with you regarding the history of our nation and how protesting has often been one of the best means of creating change. I know that I will absolutely read a newspaper article or watch a news report more carefully if the issue is being led by an advocacy group. ~~Allison
DeleteChelsie,
DeleteSad but true. You are definitely making a good point when you state that sometimes protesting is the only way to enact changes. No one can expect laws to be perfectly written and 100% effective at achieving their intended goals, and they definitely are not! Good thing we live in a place where political activism is responded to with action and making changes instead of annihilation as in some other countries. Let us never take for granted our ability to affect change in the world we live in.
As I read through our reading assignments for this section, I found myself becoming quite angered that Kitty Cone and her contemporaries had to do what they did. I’m very grateful they stood up to the several administrations that failed to follow through on their duty to enforce Section 504 laws. As Ms. Cone states towards the end of her article, ‘Short History of the 504 Sit in’, without the perseverance of many activists and their supporters throughout the 1970s, the Americans with Disabilities Act may well have not been created.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that there is a legitimate role for this kind of political action on behalf of children with disabilities today. As the history of Section 504 has demonstrated, just because something has been signed into law doesn’t mean that the law is being enforced. We have learned in this class (and perhaps other courses) that the state of Kansas failed on the Part C performance criterion when they were inspected by the Department of Education. For Kansas to provide families with the services required by both federal and state law, I feel that political activism may be necessary, as compliance is not happening.
On a personal note, I really need to sit down with my Mother-In-Law and ask her more about her experiences on raising a child with disabilities in the 1970s. Her daughter was born with CP in 1971, and I know she had to fight hard for every service her daughter received. She educated herself in the law and knew exactly what her child was entitled to, but their school district really dragged their heels in providing accommodations. After reading about the 504 sit in and the lack of enforcement of Section 504, I’d like to hear how she was able to keep her daughter in a regular classroom, within their school district, learning the same curriculum as her peers. It couldn’t have been easy!
Allison,
DeleteHow interesting that will be to talk with your mother-in-law about her personal experiences with standing up for children with disabilities! I hope we can hear about her struggles and triumphs if this conversation does take place. :) I definitely agree with you, in that I too was in disbelief when I read about what Kitty Cone and others had to do to receive an open ear for their concerns and issues. I would like to think that all administrators truly seek to enforce all laws and ensure that all students receive everything to which they are entitled, but sadly this is not the case, and it is always easier to ignore a problem than to fix it. Luckily, there are people like Kitty Cone who will not sit still and be quiet, but have the courage to stand up and affect change. Would that more people had that kind of fire inside of them.
I agree that it is because of leaps and bounds made by few that we have many accomplishments of today. There is always room for improvement and it is sad that it took hundreds of years to show compassion enough to finally assist those who couldn't help themselves. I can't imagine your mother-in-law had an easy time but I've found that with many schools, when an angry parent comes through the front door with their voice raised, the administration is quick to jump in line and cater to their concerns. Right or wrong, in today's world, schools have a greater fear of a lawsuit that would shut them down, than they do of a protest in Washington D.C. that might eventually make them change their ways without repercussions for previous mistakes.
DeleteI think that public protest is a huge part of what motivates changes and alterations in laws and regulations and is essential to the lawmaking process because it lets lawmakers know what people actually think and feel regarding a specific law. Public protests and the like give lawmakers knowledge of how their laws are affecting people not just in theory but in reality as they are implemented in real situations with real results. This is one way in which our country has been more faithful in listening to the common person, because protests and demonstrations here in the USA often lead to corrections or revisions in the laws and regulations and are not simply ignored by the governing bodies. In the case of Section 504, the original law itself, while well-meaning, was not functional in helping those with disabilities. It needed additional work. People like Kitty Cone needed to step in to ensure that Section 504 would have the intended effect for people with disabilities. I can hardly imagine an America where people with disabilities are shunned and swept under the rug, but for people in the time of Kitty Cone, this was their reality. I think that there is definitely a place for political activism in today’s world! It is always easier to ignore something than to improve it; therefore parents and teachers must be vigilant to ensure that children with disabilities are receiving every form of assistance they are entitled to, and if this is not happening, we must take action.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you on the statement that public protest is huge part of what motivates changes and alterations in the law. In so many ways people like us don't get out points seen and it is important for in the law making process to have those points seen. Sometimes it takes public protest to get those points across. I can also not imagine an America were people with disabilities are shunned. It is a hard thing to think about. I see these people as just a regular person, nothing wrong with them. Maybe a little thing like not being able to see sets them a part from us, but I don't see that as something that we should shun them away from society for.
DeleteIf it wasn’t for people out there like Kitty Cone most of our issues would remain untouched or unseen. We need people out in the world to be able to stand up for what they believe in. They didn’t care what would happen to them, they stood and come to find out they got a ton of support from so many people. I love how Kitty Cone said “Politicians sent mattresses and a shower hose to attach to the sink. Glide Memorial Church and the Black Panther party sent many delicious meals that nourished us between days of coffee and doughnuts.” I do believe in the approach of Kitty Cone and her ad advocates. I believe whatever gets the point across and gets and important issue seen and enforced. I do think there is a lot of work still to be done when it comes to political action on behalf of children with disabilities today. I think there is still a lot of discrimination when it comes to kids with disabilities. Maybe we do need the kind of political action brought out by Kitty Cone and her advocates in order to help with the discrimination today.
ReplyDeleteI found Kitty Cone’s story remarkable. I had never even thought about how much effort, time, strategizing, and so forth went into protesting. Mattresses and food were sent to them, many of them only got 4 to 6 hours of sleep a day and Kitty led a media committee to evaluate coverage day to day and kept local media outlets informed on their progress. Also, the protesters in San Francisco coordinated with others in D.C. When the congressional hearing was held it was extremely dramatic. The testimony by several individuals were so enthralling, that the representative from HEW (The Department of Health Education Welfare) got up and locked himself in an office only for Congressman Phil Burton to run after him and kick on the door asserting he come out. What an amazing journey led by Kitty Cone! Luckily there were people like Kitty putting the pressure on to create a change for persons with disabilities. Without them, we may not have a Section 504 which protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. There are definitely heroes in our history!
DeleteI do believe in the approach of advocates like Kitty Cone. I believe that protests and advocacy groups can bring to light and create public awareness about a serious issue that needs some sort of resolution; more specifically, a non-violent protest where violence and force is not used. Protesting and advocacy can be a very influential tool because the authority is placed in the spotlight and public pressure is on them to find a solution.
ReplyDeleteToday, there are still advocates who are working tirelessly for persons with disabilities. I am not certain that what happened in 1977 needs to be repeated today (although it could happen), as I believe we are educating disabled students the best we can with what we have. I know not every disabled child is getting the BEST education as there is still a gap between reality and what they’re promised, which is an equal educational opportunity. However, I believe America has made great strides in public education for children with disabilities.
I do agree with the approach used by these advocates. After reading the brief history essay it is clear that the advocates needed to take heightened measures in order to bring about real change in society. They tried to be patient and let the government do its work but as is often the case, their issue was limping along at the “speed of the state” and their issue was being lost in a debate that lacked any real common sense. This was evidenced by legal decisions such as the decision “s that if a driver stopped and opened the doors that constituted nondiscrimination”. No one with any real political power was willing to step up and champion their cause until enough public pressure built that they had to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI think that there will always be a place for this type of political action, because there will always be instances where an important issue is being lost to the public due to inaction by public officials. Some of these issues are lost by ignorance and some are lost by apathy but in either case there is a demand for advocacy. If you don’t stand for your rights, then who will?
I think 504 was a great step but like many laws, it could be improved upon. This needs to be accomplished by putting more effort into studying people with different disabilities and determining what would work for all. Just the other day I saw a handicap ramp going to a business whose door opened outward, blocking the ramp. Not exactly convenient. I've seen several businesses that have a handicap ramp sidewalk but the parking space near the ramp can allow people to park in a non handicap parking spot and still block the entrance. I'm not sure that protesting would work and it could be ignored due to the fact that most recent protests by other various groups have been by people who are either lazy or want to steal a flat screen tv, but since there are laws on the books in regard to these situations, there could easily be attorneys who would have a field day going after violators.
ReplyDelete