Ableism has been defined as “[a] system that places value on people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normality, intelligence, excellence, desirability, and productivity. These constructed ideas are deeply rooted in anti-Blackness, eugenics, misogyny, colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism.”[1] Clinical teaching provides students with the unique opportunity to work directly with clients in areas ranging from immigration to international human rights to disability and community economic development. As we teach students the substantive areas of law and lawyering skills, it is equally important to anchor student clinical learning with an understanding of ableism and the role it plays in our client’s life, in student advocacy, and in the lives of our students.
Teaching ableism through the lens of history, by examining its role in current affairs and socio-political decision making, through self-reflection, and by other means is necessary as our students engage with and challenge systems of oppression with their clients. Confronting and better understanding the role of ableism (both external and internal) is a necessary tool as we teach the next generation of social justice advocates.
The moderators will present a definition of ableism to the participants to anchor the discussion. This discussion seeks to engage participants to discuss the role of ableism in the law and in their respective lives and practice areas. It further aims to provide a space to think collectively, and creatively, about ideas, tools, and strategies on teaching ableism so that it is a more entrenched aspect of our pedagogical goals.
1. A working definition by Talila “TL” Lewis in conversation with Disabled Black and other negatively racialized folk, especially Dustin Gibson, updated in November 2021. Talila “TL” Lewis, January 2021 Working Definition of Ableism, TALILA A. LEWIS (Jan. 1, 2021), https://www.talilalewis.com/blog/january-2021-working-definition-of-ableism.