Self-study module: Being Human

Self-study module: Being Human

This self-study module provides a mix of book chapters, digital talks and lectures, scientific papers, and a movie on the general theme of Being Human.

The module consists of 5 mandatory references for you to study at your own pace during Ideation.

You are encouraged to expand your investigations beyond the module, and to seek advice and inspiration from the peers and experts you meet during Ideation.

Understanding Disability

Reference: Shakespeare, Thomas (2018) Understanding Disability. In: Disability: the basics. Routledge. Chapter 1.

Format: Text (Work load: 24 pages)

Keywords: Understanding Disability, Disability Across Time and Place, Lived Experiences

Description: Disability: the basics is an introduction to disability as a multi-dimensional concept and explores the historical, social, environmental, economic, and legal factors which affect experiences of people living with impairments in modern-day society. It offers an understanding of the lived experiences of disabled people and underline continuing gaps and barriers in social responses to the challenge of disability.

Link: https://www.routledge.com/Disability-The-Basics/Shakespeare/p/book/9781138651395

The Myth of Average: Todd Rose at TEDxSonomaCounty

Reference: Rose, Todd (2013) The Myth of Average: Todd Rose at TEDxSonomaCounty.

Format: Video (Work load: 18 minutes)

Keywords: One-dimensional metrics, Jagged size profile, Learning environments, Technology, Talent

Description: In this TED Talk, Todd Rose argues that if you design for the average sized person you design for nobody. According to Rose we all have “a jagged size profile” meaning that our body dimensions such as height, weight and waist are not the same on every dimension. Ultimately, Rose argues how we ought to ban the average and generate designs that accommodate for the edges of dimensions.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBmyttcfU4

Play Video

Disability as a human condition discussed in a theological perspective

Reference: Lid, Inger Marie (2012) Disability as a human condition discussed in a theological perspective. Diaconia. Journal for the Study of Christian Social Practice. Vol. 3.

Format: Text (Work load: 14 pages)

Keywords: Understanding Disability, Disability Across Time and Place, Lived Experiences, Law, Politics

Description: This article discusses the understanding of disability in a notion of human diversity that includes disability as a human condition. From a disability studies perspective, a medical understanding of disability has been criticised for the absence of disabling structures in society. Lid argues that inclusive concepts of humanity must guide law and politics.

Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13109/diac.2012.3.2.158

Doing Dis/ability and Architecture Differently?

Reference: Boys, Jos (2016) Doing Dis/ability and Architecture Differently? AA School of Architecture.

Format: Video (1 hour 28 minutes)

Keywords: Perspectives on disability, Architecture, Gender, Understanding of normal

Description: In this video, Jos Boys discusses what can happen to architecture and its practices when ‘normal’ (and normative) assumptions about disability and ability are creatively and critically challenged. The video investigates our perceptions of normalcy, disability, and ability in the context of architecture.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9STKEmiMe0

Crip Camp

Reference: Crip Camp (2020) Higher Ground Productions.

Format: Video (Work load: 1 hour 46 minutes)

Keywords: Discrimination, Disability Rights Movement, Activism, Empowerment, History

Description: In the early 1970s, teenagers with disabilities faced a future shaped by isolation, discrimination, and institutionalization. This movie tells the story about one group of disabled young people and their journey to activism and adulthood, and in doing so, provides an opportunity for all to delve into the rich and complicated history of disability activism, culture, and history.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFS8SpwioZ4

Play Video about Crip Camp

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS – BEING HUMAN

Overby, René S.; Falster, Emil (2024) The Human Body in Architectural Theory and Practice. ARCH24 Proceedings. https://ebooks.iospress.nl/doi/10.3233/SHTI240935

Lid, Inger Marie; Steinfeld, Edward; Rembis, Michael (2023) Rethinking Disability and Human Rights: Participation, Equality and Citizenship

Wong, Alice (2024) Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire. Penguin Random House.

Shakespear, Tom (2022) Models of disability (with a side order of The Life of Brian). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAHnKutOkYI

Lingsom, Susan (2012) Public space and impairment: an introspective case study of disabling and enabling experiences. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research. Volume 14, 2012 – Issue 4.

Goodley, Dan (2017) Beginnings. Chapter 1. In: Disability studies: An interdisciplinary introduction. Sage.

Wolbring, Gregor (2008) The politics of ableism. Development, Vol. 51, Issue 2, pp. 252-258.

Hendren, Sara (2020) What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World. Riverhead Books.

Taylor, Sunaura (2017) Beasts of Burden: Animal and Disability Liberation. The New Press.

EU – the High-Level Expert Group on AI (2019) Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence from the High-Level Expert Group on AI. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/ethics-guidelines-trustworthy-ai