Disability is Diversity
By Sam Drazin
Changing Perspectives
I
considered my third graders’ curious eyes looking up at me. On this otherwise typical day
in my small K-6 school in Vermont, I had gathered my class on the rug with the intention
of having a candid discussion with them about their classmate, a student with a disability
who was struggling to be understood by her peers. I knew the conversation would likely be
uncomfortable. We are conditioned culturally not to talk about the differences around us,
especially related to disability, and the student herself was sitting in the circle. But I also knew
this conversation was absolutely necessary.
After I reminded the students about respecting the privacy of our classroom community, the
special educator, student’s parent, and I began. Openly and honestly, using respectful, age-
appropriate language, we talked about this student’s differences and how she was learning
at her own pace. We ended by asking if anyone had questions.
Like most of us, these eight-year-olds were wary of talking about differences, so the invitation
to ask questions was greeted with silent stares—at first. Finally, one brave student raised a
hand and asked, “What does she like to do on the weekends?” The mother replied, “Ride her
bike, watch TV, play with her sister.” Another cautious hand rose: “What TV shows does she
like?” The mom listed some popular kids’ shows. A third student raised a hand, but instead of
asking a question, marveled, “I like those shows, too!” In that instant, sharing became conta-
gious with student after student discovering similarities to their classmate with a disability.
This turned out to be a pivotal moment in my young teaching career. Even as a person with
a disability, realizing that students are curious about diversity, and specifically related to dis-
ability, sparked a proverbial light bulb: if we could create school communities where open
conversations about our differences were the norm, we could change the narrative around
equity and inclusion for students with disabilities everywhere.
Continues on page 16
CSEE Connections
Summer 2020 Page 15