Many individuals with disabilities are eager to share their experiences and viewpoints in order to reduce stigma around disability and demonstrate that it should be seen as part of life rather than an abnormal condition.
Disability awareness is crucial in order to foster positive attitudes and societal norms that support coordination Melbourne those living with disabilities, and also in curbing harmful behaviors (Llewelyn 2014). But it must be remembered that awareness alone will not suffice: action are required as well (Llewelyn 2014).
Understand that not everyone is the same.
Inclusion is a broad concept that refers to helping disabled individuals participate in activities expected of society, such as attending school or work, engaging in community groups and activities, receiving adequate healthcare, having relationships and enjoying life. Inclusion requires policies and practices which encourage this participation as well as support and encouragement for those living with disabilities in doing so.
Disability awareness typically involves learning about accessibility standards like those laid out by the Americans with Disabilities Act and working to meet them, which is certainly important – however it should never be seen as the end goal.
Instead, it is vital that we move beyond disability awareness and begin to comprehend the complexity of attitudes and understandings within the disability community. Instead of using language like “disabled person,” try transitioning towards language that puts individuals first; such as using terms like “people with disabilities.” By changing your terminology this way, you may discover some of your internalized stereotypes or biases as well as become more self aware about yourself and others with disabilities.
Be aware of your implicit biases.
People living with disabilities frequently observe how other people look at them differently, often staring or avoiding them or not even acknowledging they exist. This happens both publicly and privately, at work and school as well as between family and friends who may either support them or act against them.
Disability awareness education helps uncover unconscious biases so they can be addressed consciously. One method used by Harvard to uncover personal prejudices around race or sexual orientation may aid people in making better decisions regarding how they act.
Disability awareness awareness efforts focus on inclusion, which means making sure disabled people can fully take part in society-expected life roles and activities, such as attending college or working a job, making and keeping friends, developing relationships, participating in their community, receiving adequate health care, etc. It’s the focus of the 2019 National Disabled Empowerment Alliance on Disabilities Awareness & Empowerment of Autism Media campaign (NDEAM), with an inclusive flag featuring zigzagged lines representing how disabled individuals creatively navigate obstacles in life.
Don’t make assumptions based on those internalized stereotypes.
There are numerous ways people with disabilities can make an impactful contribution, whether in their workplace or personal lives, but it can be easy to become mired in stereotypes about disability.
One way out of this pitfall is to tap into experts for advice. There are numerous reliable resources for doing this, such as the National Health Information Center’s list of health observances by month (which includes National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October).
An alternative way is by creating or supporting an Employee Resource Group on Disabilities, which can assist both employees and companies in meeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEIA) goals by creating an environment inclusive of people of all disabilities in your workplace. Equally as crucial is going beyond meeting minimum accessibility standards to create maximum ease of unassisted access and inclusion rather than simply meeting minimum legal standards to avoid litigation.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Fear and discomfort associated with engaging with disabled people often stems from our lack of understanding; rather than feeling awkward about speaking to these individuals or fearing we might say the wrong thing and offend someone, it would be more reasonable and appropriate to pose questions instead of feeling embarrassed or offending them by saying things we shouldn’t.
Unfortunately, this is still insufficient; disability awareness in professional, academic and corporate cultures often remains something that’s considered as something to check off a list once and done with.
Disability community members have long been dismayed at how the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has communicated its pandemic flu policies; some even call for a boycott against it. But understanding discrimination against people with disabilities is illegal isn’t enough to end distrust and hostility toward disabled people; to take further steps toward change it’s time to move beyond basic awareness to active engagement – for assistance check out the Disability History Museum Library which houses digital versions of images, texts and artifacts from libraries and private collections dating back to 18th century!
