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Subtitled “A Vision Of Hope And
Personal Responsibility For People With Disabilities”, Taking Pride In That
Which Sets Us Apart is a smart little book that is both a rallying cry for
people with disabilities and a wake-up call for readers without disabilities.
The book lays out an interesting
background of the historical factors and cultural stereotypes which have muddied
the waters of our views about people with disabilities – sullied views, marked
by negative perspectives and diminished expectations – negative views, that rail
against the self-esteem of people with disabilities and their merit in the eyes
of others. It suggests that a new dialogue about disability needs to emerge –
one that challenges the ingrained stereotypes and misconceptions with a truer
vision of people with disabilities: of men and women with disabilities “who are
going about their lives, working, supporting themselves and their families, and
actively contributing to the diversity landscape and the richness of our
communities.”
The book challenges the “diversity
movement” which so strongly advocates the inclusion of people with differences
into our workplaces and societal institutions, but so readily excludes or so
begrudgingly allows people with disabilities to share the stage.
The author asserts that people with
disabilities can advance their collective cause and strengthen their individual
journeys by recognizing and proudly affirming their shared roots in disability
culture.
The concluding, and probably most
important chapter of the book, asserts that people with disabilities need to
embrace their disability with pride, readily acknowledge their affinity to other
people with disabilities and assume a greater sense of personal responsibility
for their destinies.
Chapter Titles in
Taking Pride In That Which Sets Us Apart
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Retrospective:
We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby, but Not Far Enough
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The Common
Stereotype: How Individuals with Disabilities Can Either Perpetuate or
Promulgate
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Disability: The
Red-headed Stepchild of Diversity
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The Unknown
Disability Culture: The Ties That Bind Us
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Taking It to the
Next Level: Shattering Attitudes and Perceptions by Getting Our Act Together
At a time when people with
disabilities are still struggling for stronger civil rights and greater societal
inclusion, this lively and provocative little book is a stimulating tool for
both personal reflection and group discussion.
Reading Audiences
While Taking Pride in That Which
Sets Us Apart was written primarily for people with disabilities themselves, it
is also an instructive book for employers, employment & training professionals
and educators. It has been particularly well-received by young people with
disabilities - high school and college students. The book’s fresh message of
pride and personal responsibility seems to readily resonate with youth who are
charting their courses towards careers and adulthood.
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