Applying Disability Theory

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CPARC's mission of assisting its clients in living as "normal" of a life as possible fits very closely with Rosemarie Garland Thompson's take on Mary Douglas's theory of "Dirt". According to Douglas, integartion is the best and only "potentially positive" method of dealing with the anomalous. Through integration and education, CPARC is incorporating its members into society as best it can. This allows those with disbilities to exist and lead the best life they can. The best application of this is educational programs CPARC runs in which children wiht and without mental disabilities go to school together. They play, intereact and learn with eachother at the same time. According to volunteers, this program works wonderfully and there is practically no harsh treatment or segregation of those with disabilities that is often found in society.

Reading different theories about disabilities was helpful during my service experience. Because the readings outlined certain cultural assumptions, it was interesting to recognize those feelings during our time spent with the clients of CPARC. The concept of Dirt by Mary Douglas was especially relevant because during the experience, one was able to observe how the clients had been ignored by society. Even though some of them have jobs, they are given positions that does not require social interaction. They are in the back of the business where customers can not see them and so will not feel uncomfortable. Also, the idea of the Normative is applicable during the service experience. Comparing our lives to theirs and even their rooms and clothing to reaffirm how "normal" we are is evidence on how deep cultural assumptions are ingrained into society.