2025-26 Knowledge Café - Echoes of the Past: How Historical Views of Disability Resurface in Modern Systems

The Knowledge Exchange is a year-long, interactive professional learning series designed to foster collaborative growth in teaching practice while cultivating a supportive community of educators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. All aspiring and inspiring educators are welcome!

Session 6: Echoes of the Past: How Historical Views of Disability Resurface in Modern Systems

Presenter: Professor Connor See

What You’ll Learn: In this session, participants will examine how historical beliefs about disability continue to influence modern educational systems, policies, and classroom practices. You will explore how deficit thinking, segregation, and gatekeeping have evolved over time and how these echoes still shape expectations, access, and opportunity for students today. Together, we will unpack how educators can recognize these patterns and intentionally shift toward inclusive, strengths-based approaches that center equity, dignity, and belonging.

Why This Matters: Understanding the historical context of disability is essential to disrupting the barriers that persist in today’s schools. Many practices that seem neutral or routine are rooted in past systems that limited autonomy and access for individuals with disabilities. By recognizing these connections, educators can make more intentional decisions that challenge outdated assumptions and create learning environments where all students are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.

File Attachments: Knowledge_Cafe_SY_202526April

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