Disability Pride Parade

On Sunday, May 1, 2022, there was a Disability Parade and rally in the community of Montclair, co-sponsored by the Montclair State University Disability Caucus. They were joined by Rocky the Red Hawk, as well as faculty, staff, adjuncts, and CEHS teacher education students. Three of the students spoke at the rally and were received with thunderous applause. Additionally, the students gave a passionate shout-out to CEHS!

Dr. Priya Lalvani, Professor in the Teaching and Learning Department, led the group and noted that she was extremely proud of her students, and the entire experience filled her with pride and happiness to be a member of the CEHS faculty.

Acting Dean Katrina Bulkley added, “We thank Dr. Lalvani for being a leader in and beyond the college on issues of disability justice and rights.”

Dr. Lalvani is a member of the Disability Caucus Executive Board, and the group’s work is necessary because disability remains a devalued experienced, and stigmatized identity category. Within institutions of higher education, people with disabilities are underrepresented in staff and faculty positions. Disabled students, faculty, and staff often find themselves marginalized and experience discrimination. The caucus recognizes that much of this marginalization and discrimination is the result of negative attitudes in society as well as systematic and structural inequality, rather than the result of individual impairments per se. Towards this end, the Disability Caucus seeks to disrupt ableist beliefs, practices, policies, and structures.

Recently, Dr. Lalvani spoke with NJ Spotlight on teaching about ableism and disability issues in the classroom and was also a guest speaker for the Think Tank Podcast on inclusive education.