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Caleb Frischknecht
EDU 1400
Professor Brett Campbell
Wed 5:30
Final Essay
When you think of prejudice, you tend to think more towards racism
of different ethnicities, prejudice towards gender preference, religion and
political ideology; but the issue of rights for the disabled is not one that
would come to mind if brought before the public. In my own mind in the
past, my thoughts towards those with disabilities was more pity, and feelings
of awkwardness, not knowing how to approach the topic or people in
general. What I’m trying to say is that it’s not a topic I ever really thought
about being a concern, and never realized that there was so much
discrimination towards the disabled.
I think there should be more understanding and knowledge given to
the non-disabled in regards to what it’s like in the life of the disabled and
how they should be treated. Michael Hartman of NASA explained it very
simply but very well in their Equal Opportunity Program manual, “A person
with a disability does not necessarily need help. Most people with
disabilities try to be as independent as possible and will ask for assistance
only if they need it. However, if you see a situation in where you think you
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might be of some assistance, ask, but do not insist that the person accept
your aid. If your offer for assistance is accepted or requested, ask how you
can best be of help, and then try to do it with minimum attention drawn to
the person with a disability, yourself, or your activities. Don't be
embarrassed to admit that you don't know what to do or how to help. Simply
ask the person for guidance, and he or she will instruct you.” (“People With
and Without Disabilities: Interacting & Communicating”) Often times
people are just unfamiliar with most disabilities and because of that unsurety
they alienate those with disabilities to avoid confrontations. If we could just
include more learning about these disabilities in schools as children grow up
it would help build a bridge over the gap between the disabled and non-
disabled.
The process should start when children are younger and still
influenced easily by parents and personal experiences. As is mentioned in
the following health article, “The birth of a child with a disability or chronic
illness, or the discovery that a child has a disability, has a profound effect on
a family. Children suddenly must adjust to a brother or sister who, because
of their condition, may require a large portion of family time, attention,
money, and psychological support. Yet it is an important concern to any
family that the non-disabled siblings adjust to the sibling with a disability. It
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is important because the non-disabled child's reactions to a sibling with a
disability can affect the overall adjustment and development of self-esteem
in both children.” (“Children with Disabilities: Understanding Sibling
Issues”) If we can build that better understanding in our children, when they
grow up they will be able to see their disabled friends as “normal” and not
out of the ordinary. This will in turn help reduce discrimination and create
more opportunity and rights for the disabled. I know from personal
experience that growing up with a blind cousin helped me realize how
normal he is and that he’s no different from me besides his lack of sight.
Blind people aren’t abnormal to me because it was a part of my life as a
child. For those who grow up with a mentally handicapped child, or a deaf
person, they accept the disability and know how to handle it without it being
awkward. It helps build a higher self-esteem for both sides and with that
breaks down many barriers that would have been in the way otherwise.
Another bridge that covers that gap between the disabled and non-
disabled is proper etiquette in the work place as well as in society. If an
employer educates his employees on proper etiquette towards the disabled,
he not only helps them at work but out in their own lives outside of work.
The ADA has fought for rights for the disabled, this next quote is from them,
“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was conceived with
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the goal of integrating people with disabilities into all aspects of life,
particularly the workplace and the marketplace. Sensitivity toward people
with disabilities is not only in the spirit of the ADA, it makes good business
sense. It can help you expand your practice, better serve your customers or
develop your audience. When supervisors and co-workers use disability
etiquette, employees with disabilities feel more comfortable and work more
productively. Practicing disability etiquette is an easy way to make people
with disabilities feel welcome.” (“Disability Etiquette”)
The ultimate goal is to make all people feel comfortable and welcome
and equal, regardless of race, religion, or if someone has disabilities. There
are so many things we can do to try and change other’s opinions but in
reality, it all starts with changing ourselves. The gap between the disabled
and non-disabled is only as big as we make it. To end I will use a quote from
James Baldwin, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing
can be changed until it is faced."
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References:
Hartman, Michael J.. "Equal Opportunity Programs Office." Equal
Opportunity Programs Office. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.
http://eeo.gsfc.nasa.gov/disability/publications.html
athealth.com. "Children with Disabilities: Understanding Sibling Issues." At
Health Mental Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.
http://www.athealth.com/consumer/disorders/disabsibling.html
"Disability Etiquette : United Spinal Association." United Spinal
Association : United Spinal Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2013.
http://www.unitedspinal.org/disability-etiquette/
Baldwin, James. "Disability Quotes - Collection of Quotations Regarding
Disabilities." Disabled World News and Disability Information. N.p., n.d.
Web. 2 May 2013. http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/disability-
quotes.php
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References:
Hartman, Michael J.. "Equal Opportunity Programs Office." Equal
Opportunity Programs Office. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.
http://eeo.gsfc.nasa.gov/disability/publications.html
athealth.com. "Children with Disabilities: Understanding Sibling Issues." At
Health Mental Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.
http://www.athealth.com/consumer/disorders/disabsibling.html
"Disability Etiquette : United Spinal Association." United Spinal
Association : United Spinal Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2013.
http://www.unitedspinal.org/disability-etiquette/
Baldwin, James. "Disability Quotes - Collection of Quotations Regarding
Disabilities." Disabled World News and Disability Information. N.p., n.d.
Web. 2 May 2013. http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/disability-
quotes.php
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