In the Controversial Issues in the Workplace course, students are asked to identify and discuss discrimination in the media and discuss its outcomes. To objectively process this task the class first had to develop a shared understanding of the term “discrimination” and identify communities that are protected under the law from social injustice. They looked to employment resources, such as the Seattle Office of Civil Rights, for the legal description of discrimination. Students also researched media examples and learned to understand the responsibility of honoring multiple perspectives.
Through the research done during the quarter students mastered an understanding of their course textbook’s “5-Models of Disability” theory, using it to objectively research media examples related to the Disability Community and discuss issues of discrimination and its outcomes. While sometimes it is difficult to discuss outcomes of media examples, students succeeded in doing so by applying a concept from Social-Thinking© called “Social Memory.”
Below are some thoughts the students had on this quarter’s course assignments:
“Doing this activity helped me realize that I have always approached the Disability Community through the Medical Model. Now, I want to explore approaching the Disability Community through the Cultural Minority Model.”
“It is remarkable how so many people say they understand where we are, the Disability Community, but use terms from the Charity-Model like ‘compassion’ or ‘handicapped.’”
“The Medical Model has little to no room for terms like ‘disability pride.’”
Controversial Issues in the Workplace is one of the many courses OLS Students take to obtain their associates degree from OLS. More information about our curriculum is available on our website. To learn more about our program register for an upcoming Information Session.
Citations
Class textbook:
The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities by The Office of Disability Employment Policy
Social-Thinking©:
Winner, M. (2013). Why Teach Social Thinking: Questioning Our Assumptions About What It Means to
Learn Social Skills. San Jose, CA. Think Social Publishing, Inc.
Last Updated March 7, 2018