People with disabilities aren’t the problem. It’s the system. | Jackie Marcoux | TEDxSNHU | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This is a personal story of how the author, who has a hearing loss, navigates through the challenges of living in a world not built for disabled individuals, and ultimately finds acceptance and advocates for accessibility.

Key Insights

• 💠 Childhood experiences of exclusion and shame can shape one's perception of their disability.
• 🦻 Fluctuating hearing loss can be challenging to navigate, causing uncertainty about the future.
• 🥺 Accepting and embracing disability can lead to personal growth and empowerment.
• 🫵 The social model of disability focuses on societal barriers rather than viewing disability as an inherent problem.
• ❓ Disability should be considered a part of one's identity and not something to hide or be ashamed of.
• 🪡 Society needs to prioritize accessibility as a standard rather than a request.
• 👥 Disability affects a significant portion of the population and should be recognized as a minority group.

Transcript

on my elementary school bus route there was an unspoken hierarchy regarding the seats the sixth graders and cool kids got to sit in the last four rows of the bus and everyone else sat where they wanted to my neighbor was considered one of those cool kids and in fourth grade uh in an afternoon she invited me to join her to sit in the back giddy at t... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the author's childhood experience of exclusion impact their perception of their hearing loss?

The childhood experience of exclusion on the bus made the author feel ashamed of their disability and created a subconscious belief that their hearing loss was something to hide.

Q: How did the author cope with their hearing loss in school?

The author used hearing aids and assistive devices to hear and communicate effectively in school, allowing them to pass as hearing and not feel different from their peers.

Q: What was the impact of their father's illness on the author's perception of their hearing loss?

The author's father's illness and their inability to hear his last words due to their hearing loss led to feelings of regret and the realization that their hearing loss was affecting their relationships.

Q: How did the author's acceptance of their hearing loss change their mindset?

The author shifted from the medical model of disability, where they viewed their hearing loss as a problem that needed fixing, to the social model of disability, recognizing that society and its structures were not built to accommodate them.

Q: How did the author learn to advocate for their accessibility needs?

The author gained confidence in advocating for their accessibility needs and found ways to cope and remain independent, such as getting a hearing service dog and pursuing a career in student affairs in higher education.

Q: How did the author's acceptance of their disability impact their relationships and career path?

Embracing their disability allowed the author to educate others on their unique perspective and advocate for accessibility. It also guided them towards a fulfilling career path in student affairs.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author recalls a childhood experience where their hearing loss made them feel excluded and ashamed.

• They discuss their journey of masking their hearing loss and the impact it had on their relationships and self-esteem.

• The author explores their fluctuating hearing loss and the challenges it presented, leading to a period of acceptance and embracing their disability.