ABSTRACT
The chapter clarifies the import of discussing disability studies in the communication ethics curriculum and provides some specific applications to utilize in the classroom. Modern utilitarian provides an excellent starting point for students to see first hand the tenets of utilitarian logic at work, as well as the reason behind the strong opposition from disability activists. The chapter provides an example of Nancy and her communicative partner, which highlights further the ethical concern for treating human beings as ends in themselves – a thought reflected in Kant's deontology. This component of the Categorical Imperative can further open the application of deontology to contexts like that with Nancy and allow students to reflect on what can be argued, in opposition to utilitarianism, is the inherent value of human beings as human beings. The work of Clifford, also attempts to address the needs of persons with limited communication abilities to participate fully in political discourse.
