Abigail Tetlow on Hehir's "Ending Ableism in Education"

 This week I read Thomas Hehir's piece called "Ending Ableism in Education". This reading was much longer than those previously assigned so it was harder to identify the most important topics and ideas. I believe Hehir's overarching goal is to change the thinking of his readers. It seems that to him, the most important and impactful changes that could be made are to reject ableist assumptions, embrace the disabled for who they are, and design lesson plans/directions to be inclusive from the start. 

Rejecting ableist assumptions means understanding that disability isn’t something that needs to be fixed—it’s simply part of the natural diversity of people. As Thomas Hehir points out, the biggest obstacles students with disabilities face often come from society and schools that expect less of them or see them through the lens of stereotypes. From my own experience in public schools, I’ve seen how meaningful it can be when students with disabilities are fully included in the classroom. When teachers are supportive and inclusive, strong and respectful relationships can grow, and all students benefit.

Along with inclusion, the way we plan lessons matters just as much. Hehir stresses the importance of designing instruction that supports different ways of learning right from the start, rather than waiting until a student struggles to step in. When teachers plan with flexibility in mind, all students—disabled or not—have a better chance at success. I really believe that this kind of approach helps build a more inclusive, supportive classroom community and, in the bigger picture, pushes us toward a more equitable society.

Finally, embracing students with disabilities means appreciating their strengths and differences, not trying to mold them into something they’re not. Hehir warns that when the focus is only on “fixing” a disability, it can get in the way of giving students access to a real, meaningful education. Trying to make a child fit into a narrow idea of what’s “normal” can do more harm than good. Instead, as Hehir suggests, we should be shifting our attention to the environment—adapting the way we teach and support students so they have the best chance to thrive.

https://tash.org/  is a site that promotes advocacy for disabled people and students