Because of membership in the marginal group, many physically afflicted individuals think of their social and personal status as precarious and have learned that because of the very physical limitations that have made them members of the underprivileged group, their social status cannot be materially improved.
Among the physically disabled, therefore, it is not difficult to see why there are those who experience deep and painful feelings of social rejection that often they cannot correct. Living in a subordinate position in our society, the physically afflicted may come to find that many of the normal cultural goals that they are disposed to strive for are inaccessible. A forced change in the level of aspiration of a handicapped person may lead to deep frustration, and the imposition of a ceiling on their position in society may deepen the feelings of membership in the minority group.
There is another important social psychological consideration to which I should like briefly to invite your attention. I refer here to the im-. Sometimes, for example, the rejection of a cosmetically unacceptable injury spreads into a rejection of the person who has suffered the injury, to the great detriment of the disabled individual.
There are many other social psychological factors that deserve our attention and interest, but I have had to omit them in the service of brevity. In conclusion, I would like to mention one, however, that seems to be of transcendent importance - that is, our attitude toward our client and his disability.
I cannot stress to you too much the importance of our own attitudes in dealing with clients, for the reservations we may entertain, whether verbalized or not to the client, tend to become known to him and to influence significantly his outlook on the future and his attitude toward his own disability.
But there is more work that needs to be done for people with disabilities to become more independent and involved in their world. Good health is important to be able to work, learn, and be engaged within a community. This web page provides information for people with disabilities about healthy living, safety, school, transitions, independent living, and finding support.
People with disabilities need health care and health programs for the same reasons anyone else does—to stay well, active, and a part of the community. Having a disability does not mean a person is not healthy or that he or she cannot be healthy. Being healthy means the same thing for all of us—getting and staying well so we can lead full, active lives. That means having the tools and information to make healthy choices and knowing how to prevent illness.
Learn more about healthy living ». People with disabilities can be at higher risk for injuries and abuse. It is important for parents and other family members to teach their loved one how to stay safe and what to do if they feel threatened or have been hurt in any way. Assistive technologies AT are devices or equipment that can be used to help a person with a disability fully engage in life activities.
An example of an assistive technology can be anything from a low-tech device, such as a magnifying glass, to a high tech device, such as a special computer that talks and helps someone communicate. Other examples are wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters, which are mobility aids that can be used by persons with physical disabilities. These plans, known as plans, are used by general education students not eligible for special education services.
The plan accommodations may be needed to give the child an opportunity to perform at the same level as their peers. A different plan is needed for children taking special education classes. For some people with disabilities and their parents, change can be difficult. Planning ahead of time may make transitions easier for everyone.
When Jim was 3 months old, his mother was told he had cystic fibrosis. Looking ahead, she told the doctor she wanted Jim to go to college. Jim learned early that he needed to be involved in his own health care. With support from family, school, and health care professionals, Jim took on more and more responsibility for his own health.
He also learned to take care of himself by exercising, eating right, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Some also need everyday personal help to do everyday self-care tasks.
Visually impaired, blind, hearing impaired, Deaf, and non-speaking people need adaptive devices, and understanding and patience from others to allow them the space and time to navigate the world, and to communicate and be heard.
Intellectually and developmentally disabled people, as well as people with traumatic brain injuries and similar conditions may need a variety of support services and the freedom to use them without being controlled and confined by them. People with learning disabilities need the freedom to use the methods that work for them best.
People with chronic illness or pain need understanding, and a bedrock acceptance of their invisible but very real disabilities. Regardless of the type and degree of disability, disrespect, insults, and physical and emotional abuse are equally unacceptable regardless of type and degree of disability. Regardless of the type and degree of disability, everyone is entitled to choices and the ability to exercise as much personal control they can, on their own or with assistance.
Most disabled people experience hardships directly and indirectly related to their disabilities. But many disabled people find that most of these hardships come from other people and the environment they live in, not their disabilities themselves. It can help to think of a pie chart. Some days, chronic back pain, sudden muscle spasms, or loss of mobility is much worse than physical barriers or interpersonal ableism. Other times, we can cope well with our impairments, but struggle gain access to the places we need to go, and process emotionally the onslaughts of insensitive, ableist comments that can come seemingly out of nowhere.
There is absolutely a lot disabled people endure and have to work through, but much of it is entirely unnecessary pressure from the outside. Disabled people of all backgrounds share many experiences, but intersecting inequalities break through as well and have a huge influence on how we all live with our disabilities.
Since so many of the hardships of disability are external to disabled people themselves, money and social status can do a lot to make living with disabilities easier and richer, both literally and figuratively.
But money can pay for personal help, adaptive equipment, and a host of other material cushions to make life secure enough for a chance to be safe, fun, and fulfilling. And the social status of being white, male, heterosexual, cisgender, educated, or a host of other privileged identities can and often is used by disabled people to lessen the daily drag of ableism. This can often explain why some people with seemingly comparable disabilities thrive, achieve, and use the best technologies and techniques to live independent and fulfilling lives, while others are stuck in dependence, confinement, poverty, and stagnation.
Of course personality, courage, and values play a role with all disabled people, but not nearly as much as most of us would like to think. This is important for two reasons. Second, it should alert everyone to the fact that more disabled people could be independent and happy if their material and social conditions were improved. This is something we can all accomplish together, not just through changing our attitudes, but through changing policies that affect disabled people. But we have to commit to it and follow through.
What most disabled people want most deeply is to be seen, heard, believed, and taken seriously. Visibility is a complicated matter for disabled people. One of the great ironies of living with disabilities is that while our disabilities are often impossible to miss, we ourselves often feel invisible and long to be noticed and acknowledged.
At the same time, some of us work just as hard to not be noticed, to hide or sideline our disabilities in hopes of being seen and accepted for our other qualities.
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