Conservatorship

Background:
There is great discussion and distress around the subject of conservatorship as it relates to
people with disabilities. Whether it be people with medical disabilities/pre-existing conditions, or
people with a mental health, developmental, intellectual, or sensory disabilities, the experience
of being conserved is daunting for many people with disabilities and their loved ones. However,
most people remain unaware of the controversy surrounding the topic of conservatorship until
recently with the Britney Spears case. For this assignment, your task is to examine and learn
how conservatorship affects the lives of people with a variety of disabilities, as well as their
families.
Learning Objectives:
1. Students will summarize three references that address the topic of conservatorship and the
disability community.
2. Students will apply their knowledge of course concepts to the topic of conservatorship.
3. Students will explore alternatives to conservatorship.
4. Students will examine the controversies surrounding disability and conservatorship and
evaluate their own perspectives on these issues.
Assignment Content Requirements
You are required to complete the following prompts. For each prompt, please write 1-3
paragraphs.
1. Summarize and provide your opinion on the controversy of the #FreeBritney (Britney
Spears) movement. Explain some of the issues and arguments that you find.
2. Examine three references on the topic of conservatorship. These references should be a
combination of peer-reviewed articles, online sources, or online videos. In your summaries
include key points and arguments. Make sure to cite your sources (include a link to your
source)
3. How accessible was it for you to find current, understandable information regarding
conservatorship and alternatives to conservatorship? Were there resources in other
languages? Non-legaleze resources for families? How accessible is information regarding
alternatives to conservatorship for immigrant families who speak other languages, or
parents with learning disabilities, etc? What barriers did you discover in your search?

4. Reflect on what you’ve learned in this course so far and about conservatorship. What are
your opinions on the topic? What surprised you? What do you agree or disagree with?
Assignment Format Requirements
Microsoft Word ONLY
12-point font
Double-spaced
2-page minimum
Question/Answer format is acceptable and preferred
No MLA or APA formatting requirement
Assignment Format Requirements
2-3 pages
Microsoft Word format ONLY
12-point font
Double-spaced
Assignment #2 Rubric
Assignment 2 Rubric
Criteria Meets Standard
(10 pts)
Approaching Standard
(9-7 pts)
Below Standard
(5-0pts)
Assignment
Content Assignment includes all
content requirements.
Assignment is missing one
or two required parts.
Assignment is
missing more than
two required parts.
Thoughtful
Responses
to
Each
Section
Responses demonstrate
clear understanding of the
questions/prompts.
Responses are thoughtful,
cohesive, descriptive, and
complete.
Responses demonstrate
partial understanding of the
questions/prompts, and/or
responses are incomplete.
Responses do not
demonstrate
understanding of
the
questions/prompts,
and/or minimal
effort is evident.
Written
Expression
Writing flows and is easy to
comprehend and grade.
Uses appropriate grammar
Writing includes some
errors in grammar and/or
punctuation, or is lacking in
clear expression, but it is
Writing has many
errors in grammar
and/or punctuation
and is confusing or

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and punctuation to clearly
express thoughts.
comprehensible enough
that the reader can
understand.
difficult to
understand.
Disability
Related
Language
Assignment utilizes
appropriate disability related
language. Uses person-first
language unless the student
is a person with a disability
(PWD) and indicates identityfirst language preference).
Assignment avoids the use of
inspiration porn or outdated,
inappropriate disabilityrelated euphemisms or
terms. Wording affirms
dignity.
Assignment mostly utilizes
appropriate disability related
language. Mostly uses
person-first language
(unless identity-first
language preferred by
PWD). Assignment includes
minimal inspiration porn or
outdated, inappropriate
disability-related
euphemisms or terms.
Wording may not always
affirm dignity.
Assignment uses
inappropriate
disability-related
terminology,
including
inspiration porn,
euphemisms, and
terms that affronts
the dignity of
people with
disabilities.