Crip Camp: Language, Power and Ableism Lesson

This 4-part lesson introduces the concept of ableism and emphasizes the importance of intersectionality to disability justice. Part 1 focuses on the  way that language is always changing and evolving and wraps with a Group Agreement on rules for forthcoming discussion. Part 2 helps students understand and define ableism and connect it with other forms of oppression and discrimination. Part 3 explores the difference between intention and impact of decisions and actions. Part 4 offers participants the opportunity to discuss the power of language and specifically the ways that communities may reclaim words that have been used in hurtful ways against them.