Save Disability Studies at U of T

Disability studies, which aims to examine and deconstruct ableism, has found a home at the University of Toronto for the last three years. The undergraduate program is headed by Dr. Rod Michalko, and the University of Toronto is threatening to not renew his contract.

If this happens, disability will only be represented at the university by the medical faculties- those who seek to eliminate instead of embrace disability. This is troubling enough, but what disturbs me the most is the destruction of a remarkable and still growing community.

Students who are intellectual seekers and non-conformists have found a way to fit in under Dr. Michalko's guidance. He does this by encouraging people to not fit in. He allows the free flow of ideas and discussion in a way that I have never seen in any other university program. He invites students to direct the flow of their own learning and design their own assignments.

As a result, in just a few short years, disability studies at the University of Toronto has acquired a faithful following of students who otherwise feel out of place on campus and in academia in general.

If disability studies at the University of Toronto is axed, what will happen to this burgeoning community? What will happen to disability?

There is a Facebook group [1] to protest the university's decision, and a meeting [2] at New College this Thursday to address questions, concerns, and plan further action.

Comments

Submitted by oldgoat on October 27, 2009 - 10:19am.

Hi David, and welcome to babble. Thanks for posting this.

I understand that the new disability studies initiative is going due to the universities financial constraints. Kind of intersting, isn't it; when it comes to cutbacks persons with disabilities are among the first to be thrown under the bus.

Submitted by oldgoat on October 27, 2009 - 11:14am.

David, do you know what's happening to Tanya Titchkosky and the grad programme?

Submitted by David_P on October 27, 2009 - 11:54am.

I don't, unfortunately. I'm guessing that will be one of the things cleared up on Thursday.

Submitted by anneemcguire on October 28, 2009 - 11:13pm.

Next Tuesday November 3rd from 1:00pm-3:00pm Dr. Rod Michalko will be giving a public disability studies lecture entitled "Coming face to face with suffering". The lecture will take place during Dr. Michako's NEW 241: Intro to Disability Studies class in the Syd Smith building room 2108. All are invited to come out and show their support of disability studies at the undergraduate level.

Submitted by oldgoat on November 5, 2009 - 11:55pm.

This story is being covered here.

Submitted by oldgoat on November 6, 2009 - 11:09am.

The Star did a piece on this here.

I should say by way of disclosure that I've met Rod a couple of times, and the opening poster is my son.

While of course I have a huge regard for Prof. Michalko and have read some of his writing I'd like to see the larger issue of the value disability studies and the apparent lack of values on the part of U of T for considering dumping it be more the focus. Having said that, I enjoyed reading this article and its look into Rod's class. He's a gifted teacher.

Submitted by Caissa on November 6, 2009 - 11:39am.

Thanks for the full-disclosure, Oldgoat. Welcome to David_P. Michalko's teaching style sounds amazing.

Submitted by RosaL on November 6, 2009 - 11:47am.

On of the best professors I ever had was legally blind and had a severe stutter. He was an excellent scholar and a good and kind human being. And his example gave me the courage to try things I might never have tried, otherwise.

Submitted by Fidel on November 6, 2009 - 8:47pm.

RosaL wrote:

Someone dear to me is similarly disabled. That person is young and quite shy about meeting people in general. I think that's amazing that people with this particular disability are able to go as far as they do. I read about two blind brothers - one became a doctor and the other a lawyer. But I think those kinds of people are extrordinary and driven to begin with. They'ev overcome great hurdles in their lives and their experiences for sure. And they are shining examples for the rest of us.

Submitted by oldgoat on November 7, 2009 - 11:33am.

David has an anecdote about this professor for about 20 minutes getting himself turned around and lecturing to the blackboard. It was his feeling that this was intended as a teaching moment, but he's not sure.