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Interest Convergence and Progressive Hours for class on 2/6

Erasmus's picture

I'd be interested in discussing the meaning and significance of "interest convergence," a term used in the universal design reading.  On page 3 the author describes interest convergence as "the idea that conditions change for minorities only when the changes can be seen (and promoted) as positive for the majority group as well."  Is he saying that interest convergence is the realization that UDL is good for everyone?  At first glance this didn't seem to be the case, but it's an interpretation that makes much more sense for the term.

I would also be curious to explore the discussion of time in the reading on progressive practices.  On page 4 the author states that "artists having access to to the studio and utilizing it for periods similar to regular work hours is extremely important" but he didn't fully explain why.  Why not allow artists to work longer hours?  I understand encouraging people to work the entire day, I suppose (he goes into this later on the page) but why not longer?  Does it ahve to do with one of the purposes of progressive studios to prepare its artists for work beyond its walls?  Is this a proper enumeration of one of its purposes?  I've got a few questions about places like these.  They interest me not because I'm interested in art, but because of the interesting place they hold in the history of "ways to deal with people with disabilities," though I doubt they would accept that language.