Curbs - Monologue and Reflection

Teacher Introduction

Last year, after much deliberation on a topic of interest, my class of grade nine and ten drama students decided that their culminating anthology project would focus on women’s rights. The students wrote, improvised, experimented, chatted, and researched as part of their creative process, and ultimately created a series of scenes about issues they felt were important to talk about that directly impacted women. The anthology was set against the backdrop of a high school and included scenes that tackled women in non-traditional jobs, abusive relationships, safety when walking at night, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, reproductive rights, women and disability, and transphobia. In typical anthology tradition, the presentation was an assemblage of varied forms of drama combined with sound, movement, and, in this case, projection of images.

The students demonstrated strong commitment to their work, showing care and consideration as they laboured through editing and staging the production for their audience of peers.

Kaydance Lane was a student in this class and, when our early brainstorming turned to thinking about whose voices were present in our work to date and whose were not, Kaydance identified that we were missing voices of women with disabilities. Kaydance went on to write a monologue in which she shared personal thoughts on her experience using a wheelchair and as a person with a disability. She included research and current statistics to support her observations and concerns, and called on the audience to increase their awareness and advocacy. Kaydance also pointed out stereotypes and everyday challenges that she faces as a person who uses a wheelchair. 

This monologue is particularly impactful because it reflects Kaydance’s voice – assertive, bright, invested, and curious. Kaydance is also very funny and some of that sardonic humour is skillfully inserted into this piece at just the right moments. Her monologue exemplifies the importance of being explicit about inviting criticality and student voice in our creative discussions, and ultimately, into the drama work that students and teachers create. Kaydance’s perspective and lived experience, as performed through this monologue, draws attention to issues of access which, once heard, the audience/reader cannot unknow. We are happy to share this dynamic monologue here in both audio performance and written form. 

Curbs by Kaydance Lane

Students and Kaydance travel across the stage (aka school ‘hallway’) and freeze halfway. Kaydance swivels to address the audience. 

Oh no, here we go again. Getting around people… like, HELLOOOO? Do you see me? Do you think this is easy? I strategize my route, but still, there are always obstacles that you just can't predict.  

I really just wish that people understood a little more - knew what a day in the life of a person with disabilities is like. Imagine if you lived in a world where there's restrictions everywhere? Imagine knowing you will never have the same choices as everyone else.

Women are discriminated against, but women with disabilities experience discrimination at even higher rates. They are much less likely to be employed, which can lead to poverty (Canadian Human Rights Commission, 2019). Think about it. (moves SR) How often do you see a person with a disability in the workforce? The first thing a person sees is a chair or the disability, and their first thought is that we’re not capable. That is not the first impression we want. (moves SL) I have my own hobbies like reading, fashion and much more. I am a strong independent woman who deserves to be treated equally. I’ve got ideas and I’m ready to contribute. 

Women with disabilities are also less likely to have a strong support network (DisAbled Women’s Network (DAWN-RAFH) Canada, 2014). They are already extremely vulnerable - now throw in depression, stress, and anxiety, on top of a lack of support. Very little attention is given to the fact that their greater vulnerability increases the chances for violence, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse (Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) and DisAbled Women's Action Network, 2017).
(moves CS)

The laws that were put in place for people with disabilities are not enough, just like women’s rights laws. They really matter and need to be in the forefront of politics and kept up to date to accommodate everyone affected. 

Society needs to be more aware. Aware of the simplest things - like curbs! Who here ever has to worry about curb access? It's on my mind everywhere I go. We need to see that people with disabilities are constantly being excluded from mainstream activities. These restrictions are caused by society, not by the disabilities of the person or woman who deals with it. You can help make this issue better by simply being aware. 

So, stand back. I’m coming through! 

Reference List

Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) and DisAbled Women's Action Network. (2017). Women with    

     Disabilities in Canada Report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the Occasion of the 

     Committee’s Initial Review of Canada. https://fafia- afai.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/FAFIA_DAWN_CRPD2017.pdf

Canadian Human Rights Commission. (2019). Roadblocks on the career path:Challenges faced by persons with 

    disabilities in employment https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/sites/default/files/publication- pdfs/ottawaiti7-2565385-v7-     

     report_on_employment_and_persons_with_disabilitie_final-s.pdf

DisAbled Women’s Network (DAWN-RAFH) Canada. (2014). Fact sheet on Women with Disabilities and Violence. 

     https://www.dawncanada.net/issues/women-with-disabilities-and-violence/

Kaydance's Reflection

While I was writing this monologue, I thought about all the challenges that I deal with on a day to day basis. My experience of using a wheelchair is a very personal subject and not one that many people understand. Because of this, I am reluctant to share the difficulties that come along with living in a very inaccessible world. Along with being treated differently, it often feels like people are either staring at me, or act as though I am invisible. 

I was very nervous performing my monologue in front of my peers. The subject tends to make people uncomfortable because they don’t have the experience of what it’s like using a wheelchair. Despite this, I think that we all need to get out of our comfort zone every once in a while so we can have empathy for experiences different from our own. This is how we can grow as a society. It is important that people are aware of daily challenges faced by people with disabilities from their first hand perspective. I hope, in some way, this monologue inspires people to make more informed decisions with respect to policies and attitudes, and that these will impact wheelchair users for the better. Everyone deserves to be included in, not excluded from, this world.