✊Art and Social Justice Unit 8 – Art and Disability Justice

What's This Unit About?

• Explores the intersection of art and disability justice, examining how artists with disabilities use their work to challenge societal norms and advocate for inclusion
• Investigates the historical context of the disability rights movement and its influence on the art world
• Analyzes key concepts and terms related to disability justice, such as ableism, accessibility, and universal design
• Highlights the work of prominent artists with disabilities who have made significant contributions to the field
• Discusses the importance of representation and accessibility in the arts, and how these issues impact individuals with disabilities
• Examines the role of intersectionality in the disability justice movement, considering how factors such as race, gender, and class intersect with disability identity
• Explores the impact of the disability justice movement on the art world and society at large, and considers future directions for the field

Key Concepts and Terms

• Ableism: discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often based on the belief that able-bodied individuals are superior
• Accessibility: the degree to which a product, service, or environment is usable by individuals with disabilities
  • Includes physical accessibility (ramps, elevators) and digital accessibility (screen readers, closed captioning)
• Universal design: the practice of creating products, environments, and experiences that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design
• Disability identity: the way in which an individual's disability shapes their sense of self and their experiences in the world
• Crip theory: an academic framework that examines the social, cultural, and political dimensions of disability, challenging traditional medical models of disability
• Disability art: art created by individuals with disabilities that often explores themes of identity, accessibility, and social justice
• Disability culture: the shared experiences, values, and traditions of individuals with disabilities, often celebrated through art, music, and other cultural expressions

Historical Context

• The disability rights movement emerged in the mid-20th century, advocating for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities
• Key moments in the movement include the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
  • The Rehabilitation Act prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in federal programs and contracts
  • The ADA extended these protections to the private sector, requiring businesses and public spaces to be accessible
• The disability rights movement challenged traditional medical models of disability, which viewed disability as a personal tragedy or defect to be cured or fixed
• Instead, the movement embraced a social model of disability, which recognizes that disability is a natural part of human diversity and that barriers to inclusion are often societal rather than individual
• The disability rights movement also intersected with other social justice movements, such as the civil rights movement and the women's movement, recognizing the shared experiences of marginalization and oppression

Disability Justice Movement

• The disability justice movement builds upon the disability rights movement, but places a greater emphasis on intersectionality and the experiences of marginalized communities within the disability community
• Disability justice recognizes that individuals with disabilities are not a monolithic group, and that factors such as race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect with disability identity to shape individuals' experiences
• The movement challenges not only ableism but also other forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism, recognizing that these systems of oppression are interconnected
• Disability justice advocates for a more holistic approach to accessibility and inclusion, one that goes beyond physical accommodations to address issues of representation, cultural competency, and community building
• The movement also emphasizes the importance of self-determination and agency for individuals with disabilities, recognizing their right to make decisions about their own lives and to participate fully in society

Artists and Artworks

• Many artists with disabilities have used their work to explore themes of identity, accessibility, and social justice
• Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist with chronic pain and mobility impairments, often depicted her own body and experiences in her paintings, challenging traditional notions of beauty and femininity
• Chuck Close, an American artist with prosopagnosia (face blindness) and later paralysis, is known for his large-scale photorealistic portraits that explore issues of perception and identity
• Riva Lehrer, an American artist with spina bifida, creates portraits of individuals with disabilities that challenge stereotypes and celebrate the diversity of the disability community
• Park McArthur, an American artist with muscular dystrophy, creates installations and sculptures that explore issues of accessibility and the built environment
• Christine Sun Kim, an American artist who is deaf, creates performances and installations that explore the politics of sound and the experiences of deaf individuals in a hearing world

Representation and Accessibility

• Representation matters in the arts, as it shapes public perceptions and understanding of marginalized communities
• Historically, individuals with disabilities have been underrepresented or misrepresented in the arts, often depicted as tragic figures or sources of inspiration rather than as fully realized individuals
• Increasing representation of individuals with disabilities in the arts can challenge stereotypes, promote understanding and empathy, and provide role models for individuals with disabilities
• Accessibility is also crucial in the arts, as it ensures that individuals with disabilities can fully participate and engage with artistic works
• Accessibility includes not only physical accommodations (such as ramps, elevators, and seating) but also programmatic accommodations (such as audio description, sign language interpretation, and sensory-friendly performances)
• Universal design principles can be applied to the arts to create experiences that are usable and enjoyable for all individuals, regardless of their abilities

Intersectionality and Identity

• Intersectionality recognizes that individuals' experiences are shaped by multiple, overlapping identities and systems of oppression
• For individuals with disabilities, factors such as race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect with disability identity to shape their experiences and access to resources and opportunities
• Artists with disabilities who are also members of other marginalized communities (such as artists of color, LGBTQ+ artists, or low-income artists) may face additional barriers and challenges in the art world
• Intersectional approaches to disability justice in the arts recognize and address these overlapping forms of oppression, and seek to create more inclusive and equitable spaces for all artists
• Disability identity is complex and multifaceted, and individuals with disabilities may have different relationships to their disability identity and to the larger disability community
  • Some individuals may identify strongly with the disability community and engage in disability activism, while others may not
  • Some individuals may prefer identity-first language (such as "disabled artist") while others may prefer person-first language (such as "artist with a disability")

Impact and Future Directions

• The disability justice movement has had a significant impact on the art world, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes "good" art and who gets to create and consume it
• Artists with disabilities have pushed for greater representation, accessibility, and inclusion in the arts, and have used their work to raise awareness about disability issues and experiences
• The movement has also led to the creation of disability-specific arts organizations, festivals, and exhibitions, providing opportunities for artists with disabilities to showcase their work and build community
• However, there is still much work to be done to fully realize the goals of disability justice in the arts
• Barriers to accessibility and inclusion persist, particularly for individuals with multiple marginalized identities
• Representation of individuals with disabilities in the arts, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles, remains limited
• Future directions for the field may include:
  • Continuing to push for greater accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of the art world
  • Developing more intersectional approaches to disability justice that address the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with multiple marginalized identities
  • Investing in the leadership and professional development of artists with disabilities, particularly those from underrepresented communities
  • Collaborating with disability justice organizations and activists to create systemic change and challenge ableist attitudes and practices in the art world and beyond