Kliewer, McDermott & Varenne

Kliewer- Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome 

"So we must learn to work with others, and this holds true whether we ultimately are destined to lead a multinational computer software firm, inspire a civil rights movement, raise caring children, bag groceries, or chat and feed squirrels with an old man on a park bench" (Kliewer 73). 

In other words, this quote means that in order to be successful you must learn to work well with others and develop good communication skills. Although, this isn't necessarily related to everyone because those who have Down Syndrome may not be able to communicate in the same way as someone who doesn't. I dislike this quote because it excludes people with Down Syndrome, especially those who struggle with communication skills.


"She did not interpret Isaac's broad and impulsive motions, indecipherable chatter, and tendency to interrupt circle time with loud points of exclamation as manifestations of defectiveness. Instead, Shayne saw these behaviors as reflective of Isaac's joy in the drama of life and his desire to connect to his peers" (Kliewer 76). 

I really admire Shayne because she was accepting of Isaac and didn't put him under the category of "defected." Others may think when he's excited that he's being disruptive or obnoxious, whereas Shayne saw the beauty of his actions.



"School citizenship rejects the idea of a gap between normality and Down Syndrome" (Kliewer 95).

I agree with this quote because I believe that students with Down Syndrome shouldn't be separated from those who don't share a disability. Not only is that isolating students with Down Syndrome but it is also degrading their abilities and insulting them.

McDermott & Varenne: Culture "as" Disability 

"When surviving older members of the community were asked to remember deaf neighbors,
they could not always remember who among them had been deaf, for everyone there spoke sign language, sometimes even hearing people with other hearing people" (McDermott & Varenne 328). 

Basically, sign language was considered a norm in this community. This peaked my interest because of the fact that two hearing people have adapted to a deaf language and use it on a daily basis. I feel like learning sign language would not only be resourceful but it would also be satisfying to know a new language.


"We must not confuse our ignorance of life with a physical difference for an account of that life; nor should we forget that the particulars of our own ignorance are likely a more crucial determinant of the disabilities manifest in some lives than any differences in the physical makeup of the people" (McDermott & Varenne 329). 

This quote means that don't confuse normality with LD individuals. To not be ignorant and be accepting of those with learning disabilities. In my opinion, everyone is equal in my eyes and should be treated that way. Just because someone may struggle with certain learning skills doesn't make them any less of a human being or any different than someone who doesn't.

"1. Deprivation. The school world is a set of tasks, and people who share the LD label, because there is something wrong with them, cannot perform the tasks as quickly or as well as others" (McDermott & Varenne 338). 

Another interpretation of this quote, is that LD students are being deprived of an education due to the ignorant stereotypes that are being given. I think that LD students should be getting an equal education, having access to the same resources, and to be treated equal socially.

Point to share in class: Do you believe that LD students should have equal opportunities in a classroom?