Erin Kelly, a writer with cerebral palsy, reflects on her experience as a disabled student, and the striking increase of young people who aren’t getting the education they deserve.
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The late Nelson Mandela was once quoted as saying, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Mandela, along with numerous other figures who have made a lasting impact on society, have conveyed the idea that the ordinary man can be extraordinary if he not only has knowledge—but is able to use it for the greater good.
This notion has been the blueprint for dreamers and leaders for centuries. However, according to recent research from The US Dept. of Education, the vast majority of the nation’s school-age children aren’t being given a fair shot at drawing their own blueprint to make their mark on the world.
The report says that combined, more than 71 percent of students in America’s school system aren’t receiving the quality education they deserve. The report also lists five key reasons for this decline—including ethnicity, demographics, unlawful suspension of preschoolers and uneven distribution of educational tools and after-school programs.
Children with disabilities are placed at the bottom of that list, grouped with the 12 percent of African American students who are retained or “held back” in ninth grade—preventing them from entering high school. That’s almost double the number of all students across the country who are held back. Moreover, there’s no given explanation or indication as to why this demographic is even on the list.
In fairness, none of the five reasons listed are explained, nor backed up by further statistical proof as to why they made the cut. However, I think the fact that the word ‘disability’ is factored into this list offers an indication of its own.
It shows that the disabled community is still one of the most overlooked, underrated demographics in society. We’ve made great strides as a nation since the 1940’s and ‘50’s—and even before that—when those with disabilities were purposely kept out of the workforce.
Even so, there’s still a stigma surrounding disabled individuals that labels them as inferior to others. I think the classroom is the one place where that’s most evident, as I was once a student who felt displaced because the majority of teachers would look at my wheelchair before they even looked at me.
It made for a rather uncomfortable experience, but that melted away when I got to college. I think my professors saw that I wasn’t in class just for the sake of being a student. The fact that I was able to manage my class schedule on my own was a huge milestone for me—and in turn, that motivation carried over into my coursework.
I was solidifying my right to not only sit in class amongst my peers, but I was also proving my self-worth. In many ways, I think that’s what education and learning is all about. It’s a matter of trial and error until you find your niche. The same can be said for a person with a disability. Not only that, but the knowledge that person has could help someone else who’s struggling to overcome their own challenges.
If you take away the opportunity to learn, you also take away the opportunity for them to become a contributing member of society—perhaps more so than others.
It goes to show that if you get to a point where you can use the knowledge you gain to help others, Nelson Mandela’s words are no longer just words. They become the actions and beliefs of leaders and dreamers.
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Photo: ufv / flickr