According to Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, the severity of a situation is significantly amplified, sometimes obscured, causing the victim to suffer more than if only one aspect were considered. For instance, in interviews with individuals like Chai Brown, a white transgender man with mental health disabilities, it becomes evident that white men often experience more privilege compared to their counterparts, such as black women, who may feel even more marginalized. Similarly, in discussions surrounding movements like Black Lives Matter, as highlighted by Ade Adepitan within the Paralympics context, the emotional weight is palpable when derogatory terms like “Crippled” and the “N word” are used. While overt discrimination may be less common, subtle forms, like being denied a job due to disability under vague pretenses, remain challenging to address.
Adepitan suggests addressing discrimination at its root, advocating for inclusive design that considers the needs of everyone rather than segregating spaces for specific groups. Despite decades of discussion, the intersection of disability with other forms of discrimination, such as racism or LGBTQ+ issues with mental health, still requires substantial progress. However, Christine Sun Kim’s documentary provides hope, showcasing advancements in deaf representation and accessibility. Kim’s unique sign language offers an alternative to traditional lip-reading, empowering the deaf community to be more assertive. Her plea for acknowledgment from the sound world resonates deeply, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels heard and valued.
Reflecting on the University of the Arts London’s (UAL) efforts, there’s been a significant shift in how disability data is collected, indicating a commitment to better serving diverse student populations, instead of capturing as generic “two or more impairment option”, now each condition is captured individually (though the analysis results are currently not fully available). According to data from UAL’s Dashboard on Student Profiles:Charactersitics, in the 2023/24 academic year, among 335 students at the Creative Computing Institute (CCI) where I belong to, 16.62% (59 students) declared a disability, while 83.38% (296 students) did not which is a good start for a new unit like ours. Also by capturing more detailed information, such as age, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, UAL recognizes the importance of intersectionality in understanding student needs. But how are we going to analyze and interpret this data is crucial to leverage and support, this can be possible with more deliberations with the academic staff and the data team. In this direction, more dynamic interactive filters which can further illuminate intersectional dynamics can be brought in which may be facilitating more nuanced interpretations and, ultimately, helping us fostering greater inclusivity among students and staff.
References
- https://dashboards.arts.ac.uk/dashboard/ActiveDashboards/DashboardPage.aspx?dashboardid=5c6bb274-7645-4500-bb75-7e334f68ff24&dashcontextid=638501095251383705
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