Analysis Of ADAPT As A Subculture

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A subculture may be defined as a group of people whose beliefs, attitudes, and or behaviors differ from the culturally prescribed norms of the dominant society while at the same time being related to it (subculture, 2007). Dick Hebdige (1979) one of the foremost scholar in the area of cultural research, examines subcultures by studying how they challenge homogeneity of the dominant culture through style, rather than how they overtly communicate clear cut ideological differences. There are ways in which ADAPT, a grassroots disability rights organization fits into Hebdige's conceptualization of a subculture. ADAPT uses the element of symbolic style to communicate their message and assert their unique identity within society. ADAPT is also influenced by historical context and change which is another component of Hebdige’s conceptualization of a subculture. Furthermore because ADAPT is a cross disability organization its members may form smaller groups which focused on disability specific needs apart from the larger group. Segmentation of the larger group into smaller groups appears to be a common characteristic of many subcultures (subculture, 2007). There are however elements of ADAPT that run counter to Hebdige (1979) and other theorists ideas of subculture. Contrary to Hebdige’s idea of subculture ADAPT is not youth related, is highly organized and uses overt tactics to get their message across. Thus ADAPT possesses elements that fit into the idea of a subculture and other elements that do not.
Hebdige (1979) asserts subcultures create their style by developing a “hybrid” style. A “hybrid” style consists of material from the dominant culture that has been manipulated in a manner that helps a subculture form a unique identity and asserts their independence from the dominant culture. It appears ADAPT has adopted this type of “hybrid” style. For example their logo consists of the universal symbol of disability with the person raising their hands above their head in an effort to break free of shackles (ADAPT, 2007). The use of the universal symbol of disability connects the logo to dominant culture. However depicting the person seated in a wheelchair raising their hands above their head attempting to break free of shackles helps ADAPT create their own identity and assert their autonomy from the dominant culture. In addition many of the ADAPT members wave American flags embroidered with the ADAPT logo during their protests (ADAPT videos, 2007). This allows ADAPT members to embrace the cultural value of freedom while at the same time communicating their disagreement with the dominant cultures unequal treatment of people with disabilities. Others style elements that help ADAPT signify their identity include ADAPT logo embroidered backpacks, baseball caps and bandannas. It is possible that the ADAPT logo is a more covert style element than Hebdige’s conceptualization of style elements within subcultures. Nonetheless the logo serves the purpose of communicating group identity and autonomy which are key characteristics of style elements within subcultures. However, more subtle elements of ADAPT’S style do exist. For example mobility devices can be considered style elements. Type, brand, color and other decorative items on their mobility devices can assist members in constructing their identity. ADAPT’S use of various style elements certainly appears to be consistent with Hebdige’s conceptualization of a subculture.
According to Hebdige (1979) it is common for the styles of the subcultures to be influenced by historical change. Even though ADAPT’S style has not undergone much notable change over the past decades, the focus of the group most certainly has been influenced by historical change. For instance throughout the 1980’s the group’s main focus was to acquire accessible transportation in all cities nationwide (ADAPT, 2007). When this goal was accomplished with the passage of the ADA in 1990 the group turned its attention to the current focus which is obtaining community supports for people with disabilities. Once this goal is accomplished it is probably safe to surmise that the focus will shift once again. Even though ADAPT’S style has not been influenced by historical change it can certainly be said that the shifting focus of ADAPT is in some ways consistent with Hebdige’s (1979) notion of subcultures being sensitive to historical change.
It is also common for subcultures to segment into smaller groups whose needs at times are at odds with each other (Minh-ha, 1989). This notion certainly can be applied to ADAPT. The ADAPT membership includes people with a variety of different disabilities and at times the needs of those with a specific type of disability may come into conflict with the needs of the larger group. For example, ADAPT’s most recent protest focused on obtaining full community integration for individuals with disabilities. Although most of its membership fully supports community integration, campaigning for this issue may come into conflict with the desires of its deaf members. Many members of the deaf community prefer to be educated in segregated environments in order to preserve the sanctity of deaf culture. The competing needs of its group members gives ADAPT a commonality with other subcultures such as feminism.

Even though ADAPT does have some characteristics that are consistent with being a subculture there are many characteristics of ADAPT which would probably not be considered traditional characteristics of a subculture. According to Hebdige (1979) many subcultures are loosely organized. ADAPT on the other hand is highly organized and regimented. At a typical protest ADAPT members are divided into sections, given color coded bracelets, and follow all of the designated leader’s instructions (Smith 2007). During a protest ADAPT members can be seen traveling in a single file line to the protest site and chanting in unison. At the most recent protest held in Chicago ADAPT members could be heard chanting phrases such as:

" No way out just like nursing homes”
" What do we want? Community choice! When do we want it? Now!”
"The people united will never be defeated!”
“Free our People!” (ADAPT video, 2007)

These chants help to communicate the groups’ message as well as, organize and unite members around a common cause, which on this day was community integration. Another example of the organized nature of ADAPT is the way they strategically used group member’s abilities in order to maximize their benefit to the group (Smith, 2007). During the protest in Chicago people in power wheelchairs where told to block building entrances and exits as well as, elevators and escalators. On the other hand, ambulatory people where told to hand out fliers and other information during the protest. These strategic decisions helped ADAPT effectively get their message across however, this type of organization most likely runs counter to Hebdige’s conceptualization of a subculture.
In addition, the oppression faced by ADAPT members and the protest element of the group would most likely put ADAPT in the category of a counter culture rather than purely a subculture. A counter culture can be defined as a group that is overtly oppressed by a dominant culture and struggles to overcome this oppression. A subculture in its most general form does not necessarily have these elements. ADAPT’s non- violent direct action techniques includes protest, marches, and sit -ins (ADAPT, 2007). These methods helps group members communicate that they are strongly opposed to the dominant society’s oppression of people with disabilities and further the possibility of obtaining immediate remedies for the oppression. During the most recent direct action in Chicago clashes between ADAPT and the dominant society could be seen in several symbolic ways. For instance, in one photo posted on the ADAPT website, protesters in wheelchairs can be seen with their arms crossed looking up at two police officers who both have their hands on their hips. This body language symbolizes the clash between the dominant culture and the counter culture of ADAPT. The direct action component of ADAPT is most likely not subtle enough and too organized to fit into Hebdige’s idea of a subculture but it most certainly fits into the definition of a counter culture.
There are elements of ADAPT that both support and refute the notion of it being a subculture. Although not subtle in nature ADAPT has definitely used elements of style deriving from dominant culture in a manner that helps them assert their identity and its autonomy from mainstream society. Other elements of ADAPT consistent with it being a subculture include its sensitivity to cultural change and the tendency for the group to at times fragment into smaller groups with competing needs. However according to Hebdige subcultures are generally loosely organized and use subtle elements of style to communicate their message. This is in stark contrast to ADAPT’s highly organized direct action techniques. ADAPT may categorized as a counterculture rather than a subculture because of its constant overt struggle to overcome the oppression of mainstream society.


References:
ADAPT (2007). Retrieved on September 16, 2007 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAPT
ASAPT PHOTO (2007). Retrieved on September 21, 2007 from
http://www.adapt.org/freeourpeople/aar/chicago/photos/tue24.jpg
ADAPT Videos.(2007). Retrieved on September 20, 2007 from http://www.youtube.com/ADAPTvideo
Hebdige, D. (1979). The Function of Subculture. Retrieved on September 16, 2007 from
http://web.syr.edu/`tjconnel/145/Hebdige-Subculture.html
Minha-ha, T. T. ( 1989). Difference: A Special Third World Issue. In Woman, Native, Other: Writing Post-Coloniality and Feminism (pp.79-116.), Bloomington, Indiana: University Press.

Smith, G. (2007). ADAPT Action Blog. Retrieved on September 21, 2007 from

http://www.adapt.org/freeourpeople/aar/chicagp/blog01.htm

Subculture. (2007). Retrieved on September 21, 2007
http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781533683/Subculture.html

Rolling in Japan

A gentle breeze sweeps across my face as I sit sipping green tea watching the sunset in the idyllic surroundings of Tokyo’s Wild Bird Park. This is a scenario that I never dreamt was possible given my mobility limitation. I have spent most of my life in my hometown of Alexandria, Virginia with only limited out-of-state travel experience. So my excitement was palpable when I learned I had been chosen as a delegate for Mobility International USA’s (MIUSA) cross-cultural exchange program to Japan. Finally, I would get the opportunity to broaden my horizons and travel beyond the confines of Virginia and its surrounding states into a foreign land over 8,000 miles away. The night I learned I would be traveling to Japan my mind was racing 1,000 miles a minute. Where would we be staying? What types of food would we be eating? How would we overcome the language barrier? What types of service projects and workshops would we take part in? But, the biggest question on my mind was would I be able to access all of the accommodations I needed to travel and live comfortably in Japan for two and a half weeks? I knew MIUSA had years of experience planning cross-cultural exchange programs for young people with disabilities. However, I still had a lot of fears concerning the feasibility of traveling out of the country. I have Cerebral Palsy and use a power wheelchair for mobility. I also need assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, showering, and doing laundry. Meeting my care and mobility needs is a challenge even when I’m not traveling, so I was skeptical as to whether these needs could possibly be met in a foreign country.
In the months before the trip took place I remained in close contact with the MIUSA staff and explained to them in detail the types of accommodations I would require on the trip. They were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about how to best plan and implement the accommodations that I needed. They helped me locate and fly a personal assistant to Japan. I was then able to hired her to assist me in my daily care needs. MIUSA also worked with me to assure that the housing and transportation arrangements would meet my individual needs. By the time we departed for Japan I was beginning to put my fears to rest and focus on the purpose of the trip, which was learning as much as possible about the Japanese culture and disability rights in Japan.
The first portion of the trip was spent doing a service project at Tokyo’s beautiful Wild Bird Park. In this lovely setting we spent our days giving back to our host country. We helped to spruce up the park by trimming overgrown bamboo and making bamboo curtains for the lobby. The hot and humid weather, the soulful chirps of the surrounding birds and the gentle swaying of the surrounding trees accompanied by the laughter and happy voices of my fellow MIUSA delegates and staff is something that will be indelibly impressed in my memory. One of the most remarkable things about this experience was that everyone had varying abilities and limitations, but we all worked together in a way that maximized our abilities and minimized our limitations to accomplish our common goal of helping to make the Tokyo Wild Bird Park even more beautiful.
After completing our service project we headed for the Sunrise Hotel Inn in Kaizuka City right outside of Tokyo. There we would be taking part in a series of activities and workshops with a Japanese disability rights group called “Footloose.” The “Footloose” members were very enthusiastic about our presence and shared information about disability rights law, as well as, poignantly told stories about their experiences living with a disability in Japan. I vividly remember one young man who had a look in his eye that conveyed he could conquer the world. He spoke English beautifully and eloquently told me of his struggle to participate in non-segregated education. He was currently taking classes at a local university, but his mom had to attend every class with him because the university would not accommodate his need for a note taker or other rudimentary accommodations’ he requires to independently participate in class. This is just one example of the dozens of talented young people with disabilities who I met on my travels. Sadly many of these people’s dreams are being stifled by the inadequacy of Japanese disability rights laws. However, the “Footloose” members seem to have a misconception that in America the disability rights laws are flawless, which is not by any stretch of the imagination the case. I and the other delegates worked to educate them on the strengths and weaknesses of our country’s current disability rights legislation and cleared up any misconceptions. The knowledge I gained from “Footloose” taught me not to take for granted the rights that I have in the United States. It also gave me an even greater drive to fight for better disability rights in this country and around the world.
In addition to the valuable knowledge we gained during the workshops we had an opportunity to learn first hand what it was like to live in Japan. The other delegates and I participated in a variety of activities that gave us an opportunity to truly immerse ourselves in the Japanese culture. We visited Japanese shrines, took part in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony and learned how to play the bongo drums from a Japanese arts group. I will forever remember the tranquil beauty of the hand-crafted shrines, the delicious taste of the freshly brewed tea, and the booming, rhythmic sound of the bongo drums which created vibrations that ever so slightly rocked the floor beneath us. The knowledge, respect, and appreciation for the Japanese culture I obtained from taking part in these activities has been permanently impressed upon me in a way that could not have been achieved by merely learning about the culture in books or movies.
Navigating our way through the city to these activities and even our free time made for unforgettable adventures. The Japanese public transportation system is reasonably wheelchair accessible but some of the technology used to accomplish accessibility is different than in the United States. I first discovered this when we entered the train station and could only locate an escalator. We inquired about this and the station manager said “the escalator is wheelchair accessible,” a panic stricken look came across my face as I envisioned myself trying to use the escalator in my power wheelchair! But I soon learned that my fears were unfounded. With the touch of a button the stairs of the escalators were transformed into a flat platform with guard rails surrounding it allowing wheelchairs to safely and easily be transported. Using the escalator for the first time was not the only novel experience I encountered while venturing my way through the cities of Japan. During rush hour in Tokyo the trains are often so tightly packed with people that train station personnel have to stand on a platform to make sure people's jackets and umbrellas don't get caught in the doors. My heart pounded as I sat witnessing this rather surreal scene. How would I possibly fit into this amazingly cramped train? Remarkably I was able to board the train without even running over anybody’s toes and safely arriving at our destination which happened to be another novel experience, a karaoke bar.
The other delegates and I spent the evening singing along to Japanese music videos as the English lyrics scrolled across the screen. The new experiences I had in Japan gave me the courage to broaden my horizons once I returned to the States. I make it a point to go out and try new things on a regular basis now because if I can try new things a world away, nothing is stopping me from broadening my horizons in my homeland.
Even though I learned something valuable from each and every moment in Japan, my home-stay visit is perhaps my most treasured memory. It was the activity where I truly felt most connected to the Japanese Culture. Each MIUSA participant was given the opportunity to stay with a host family for the weekend. At first I had conflicting feelings about the home-stay portion of the program. I was thrilled to get to know a Japanese family on a personal level, but I was also wary to leave the comfort zone of our hotel and the other delegates who I had begun to form a very close bond with. My host family was a lovely couple who were members of the disability rights group we had been working with. I was completely awestruck by their home which was wheelchair accessible and even equipped with an elevator. After my personal assistant and I got acquainted with the layout of the house we were treated to a traditional Japanese home cooked meal complete with pumpkin soup, shrimp and rice, along with my first taste of soy milk sushi. This food was accompanied by terrific conversation that gave me and my host family a unique glimpse into each others lives. Even though we live a world apart from each other I was amazed at how similar the struggles we encountered as people with disabilities were. We shared countless stories of the frustration and feelings of exclusion fostered by the inaccessibility of our communities and the misconception that people with disabilities are “abnormal” and not equal to those without disabilities. That night as I lay on a tatami mat trying to fall asleep I reflected on the universal nature of the obstacles we encounter and realized more than ever the need to reach across international boundaries and work united to remove the socially constructed barriers that inhibit people with disabilities from reaching their full potential. There were differences between my home stay family in the food we ate, style of our homes, and clothes we wore, but the connection I felt towards them will last forever because in the stories we shared I realized that our struggles as people with disabilities are inevitably intertwined. Conquering my fears and gaining knowledge about the Japanese culture and disability rights gave me an opportunity to evolve as a person and the drive to continue evolving. My Japan experience did not end when we landed back in the States, I carry it with me as I pursue my Master’s degree in Disability and Human Development from the University of Illinois at Chicago and am dedicated to fighting for rights of people with disabilities worldwide.

Rolling On Blog Spot

Check back soon, I will be posting and discussing current events in the disability rights movement, and sharing anecdotes about my experiences living with a disability. I will also be sharing some disability studies' papers I wrote while in graduate school. I figure might I as well instead of relegating them to a lonely life on my hard drive never to be seen again!