Interactive workshop to highlight ableist approaches in academia

Nu Misra feels voicing experiences helps others articulate their thoughts

The processes for fieldwork research are constructed for able-bodied persons. Persons with disabilities (PwD) not opting for field-based research or an academic career that demands it, is not a solution. Richi Rungta, a student at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, and Nu Misra, a disability justice author, founder and editor-in-chief of Revival Disability Community (RDC), highlight the need to first speak about ableist approaches in fieldwork and bring forth issues faced by PwD in order to work towards a solution.

They will be conducting an online workshop, Disabling Academia, to highlight ableist approaches encountered during one's academic career in the field and at internships.

Richi Rungta

Rungta, a Master's student of Social Work in Disability Studies and Action, says, "Ableist attitudes hinder growth and create problems for PwD to work." In locating organisations for internships and research work across fields - requirements for his course, the 24-year-old has faced refusals and patronising attitudes - the latter was a namesake position offered to gain credit for the organisation, curbing his potential to work and gain experience. "Although I contributed a lot in terms of work, they were still restrictive in assigning substantial work," he says. When it came to online classes of corresponding research studies and subjects, software used for data collection was demonstrated in a way that was inaccessible to Rungta and a few of his peers. He continues, "We're still not equipped to tackle certain issues and processes and because of this, students are left behind in a class and in their academic pursuits."

Nu explains that processes are designed for able-bodied persons, rendering them inaccessible to the rest. Who can gain access to research? Who is considered suitable for the work? Who is more likely to get their work published? Nu highlights that these questions and requirements are put in place with an exclusive perspective.

The facilitators will be sharing their lived experiences, academic hacks and a how-to guide on disability and research at this interactive programme. Rungta explains, "The reality is that we all face these issues - both persons with disabilities and able-bodied individuals. What we need to do is share our experiences to broaden perspectives because everyone has learnt ableist ways of thinking and interacting. Discussion is the path to a solution. So, having a safe space and platform like RDC for PwD to relate and share is important. RDC doesn't hesitate to speak about any issue, they work openly and actively." Nu concludes, "Sharing one's experiences helps others to understand and articulate their own needs and thoughts better. This is the power of a community."
Along with this workshop, RDC will also be hosting several workshops on disability and sexuality, violence, vocabulary and more.

ON April 30, 4 pm
LOG ON TO @revivaldisabilitymag
COST Rs 150