Beyond What I Thought I Knew by Lauren

Beyond What I Thought I Knew by Lauren - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

Growing up with a mother who has disabilities, I believed I already had a strong understanding of what being disabled meant. I had seen the physical limitations she experienced, so when I enrolled in a Disability Studies course, I expected it to reinforce what I already knew. Instead, it challenged many of my assumptions and taught me that my personal experience represented only one facet of a much more complicated issue.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that disability cannot be understood through a single perspective. Throughout the course, I was introduced to topics I had never seriously considered, including how disability intersects with race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. I saw firsthand that two people with similar disabilities can have vastly different experiences depending on the systems surrounding them. That realization forced me to interact with issues by analyzing them from other perspectives before being able to come to a more solid conclusion rather than only relying on my personal interpretations.

The course also expanded my understanding of disability outside of the United States. While discussing accessibility laws and social acceptance of disabilities, I began thinking about how Americans have legal protections such as the Americans with Disabilities Act while other nations aren’t as fortunate. Although accessibility in the United States is far from perfect, I realized that many people with disabilities around the world face even greater stigma and barriers due to limited legal protections, infrastructure issues, and more. Since taking the course, I find myself paying attention to accessibility whenever I travel to other countries. I notice details I once overlooked, such as whether public transportation, buildings, or even the sidewalks are able to accommodate everyone. The course changed not only how I view disability but also how I analyze the inclusivity or exclusivity of the world around me.

Most importantly, this class strengthened my critical thinking by teaching me to question my own assumptions before accepting them as the objective truth. I entered the course believing that my personal connection to disability meant I understood the topic well. Instead, I learned that understanding comes from listening and analyzing perspectives from all sides and recognizing the complexity behind social issues even if you think you already are knowledgeable.