The MSU Disability Caucus aims to provide a forum for the critical examination of the meaning, place, and role of disability within our institution. To that end, the Caucus aligns itself with the principles of Disability Justice, and seeks to act collectively, proactively, and intersectionally to (a) mitigate both interpersonal and institutional ableism, and (b) increase awareness and critical consciousness of disabled experience and disability culture at MSU.<\/p>\n
The Caucus recognizes disability as a natural aspect of human diversity, and rejects the notion that disability is the result of one\u2019s embodiment. Rather, we understand disability as a social and cultural construction.<\/p>\n
Stephanie Spitz, President Our work is necessary because disability remains a devalued experienced and stigmatized identity category. Within institutions of higher education, people with disabilities are underrepresented in staff and faculty positions. Disabled students, faculty, and staff often find themselves marginalized and experience discrimination. The caucus recognizes that much of this marginalization and discrimination is the result of negative attitudes in society as well as systematic and structural inequality, rather than the result of individual impairments per se<\/em>. Towards this end, our work seeks to disrupt ableist beliefs, practices, policies, and structures.<\/p>\n The goals of Disability Caucus at MSU are to:<\/p>\n
\nDrew Wallace<\/span><\/span>, Vice President
\nJacob Bilek,<\/span>\u00a0Recording Secretary
\n<\/span>Kathryn Leonard, Corresponding Secretary
\n<\/span>Marshal Chaifetz,<\/span> Treasurer
\n<\/span>Priya Lalvani, Member-At-Large
\n<\/span>Suman Rath, Member-At-Large<\/span><\/p>\nWhy the Disability Caucus is Important:<\/h2>\n
Goals:<\/h2>\n
\n