Changing the Perception of Disability

There are people with disabilities among us. I know because I am one.

As with any group that is seen to be different than "normal," there are preconceived notions. Many of those notions lead to discrimination and/or exclusion (what else?????). Changing those notions can benefit society as a whole as well as the group.  Let’s talk about the group of people with disabilities.  What can be done to improve those notions?

Increase Awareness and Education
How do we let Society know about disability? TV and movies have a way of making things part of the norm simply by including characters or situations in story lines and commercials. It has been done for years now, and it is becoming more commonplace to see a character or extra or an episode situation with disabilities. That is a good start.

Organizations are doing their part.  In working to change the way people respond to disability, Leonard Cheshire Disability in the UK has created an ad campaign using animations working through everyday situations of disabled people. The messages are voiced by disabled people and acted by Creature Discomforts. They are now planning a new series of Creature Discomforts with less obvious conditions such as learning or mental difficulties. That is one example of increasing awareness of how it is to live with a disability.

Promote Sites Like Kid's Quest
The Internet has a role, too.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has Kid's Quest which addresses some things we should all know, and they target kids. The site is from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD). It is a valuable tool for parents and teachers.

Kid's Quest poses questions such as "If a child has trouble learning, will she be able to work when she grows up?" and “How does someone in a wheelchair go to the bathroom?” Then it provides steps to guide kids on their quest to discover the answers, beginning with an "attitude check" that helps identify common misconceptions.

A vital role is in the hands of individuals who have the first-hand knowledge. Friends, family, neighbors, or even strangers may ask questions about a disability. Children are especially curious and innocent enough to ask what they want to know. They are often discouraged by their parents or thwarted by the disabled person who does not want to answer.

It is important to answer questions with patience and understanding.  Most questioners are asking because they do not know.  This is a perfect opportunity for some one-on-one education. Sometimes people don't have the time or simply do not feel like answering.  That is valid.  I have been asked why so many people with disabilities are so mean, but even kids understand when we say we do not have time right now.

Sometimes the question is considered inappropriate. Maybe the questioner did not know that the terminology or structure was insulting. What better time to learn?

Too often the question is responded to negatively. "That question doesn't deserve an answer”, "What an idiotic notion!” and "We don't have time for this" are all responses I've heard. Too bad. What did that accomplish? Sadly, it may have furthered the impression that disabled people are angry and mean And how will the poor questioner ever learn?

I think we, the disability community, can help Society by helping to change perceptions.  We may not always want to be the center of attention, ready to take any question thrown at us.  I don’t, but we can help one person at a time become more aware that a disabled person is a person who just happens to have a disability. That is one helluva responsibility.