TASH Forum

Disability Advocacy and TASH

Disability advocacy is the organization’s area of expertise, TASH. TASH is a global organization that has long sought to prevent the marginalization of people with severe impairments, as is often the case. Through “advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families, and self-advocates,” the group, which was created in 1975, accomplishes its objectives (Tash.org). Members of TASH come from a range of professions and disability advocacy groups that support the organization’s commitment to social justice. The organization’s goal is to ensure that all people with substantial disabilities are accepted and actively participate in their local communities. The vision of TASH “a world in which significantly disabled individuals are included and fully participating members of their communities, with no obstacles preventing equity, diversity, and quality of life” (Tash.org). TASH holds regional conferences in which stakeholders discuss issues regarding disability advocacy.

Role as a Student Teacher

As a student teacher, it is important to learn that I have a role as an advocate for the rights of individuals with significant disabilities. In its decades of existence, TASH has made significant milestones in ensuring that persons with significant disabilities lead lives that are normal as possible without suffering discrimination. Besides the dissemination of knowledge, as a teacher, I will also have to play an active role in advocating for the rights and interests of students especially those with significant disabilities. An important consideration, in this context, is the relationship between students, teachers, and parents. Fostering a culture of cooperation between the aforementioned stakeholders would ensure that a teacher can practice more effective advocacy. There are a variety of strategies that a teacher can use to advocate for their students. They include the following: “Being a good listener, allowing the student to self-advocate, be persistent with the student, create safeguards, and be a role model for the student” (Cox, 2015). This way I can help achieve the vision of TASH where all significantly disabled children will be active participants in their respective societies.

References

Cox, J. (2015). Teaching strategies that advocate your students. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/teaching-strategies-advocate-your-students

Tash.org. About Tash. Retrieved from https://tash.org/about/