The document discusses how disability has traditionally been viewed negatively, including as objects of pity, burden, menace, dread, ridicule, subhuman, sick, childlike, holy innocent, and sexual deviate. However, it also presents more positive ways to view disability, such as recognizing inherent strengths, having great expectations, fostering relationships, acknowledging positive contributions, supporting full citizenship, and allowing choices to promote self-determination. The overall message is that disability has often been devalued but can instead be viewed in an affirming way that focuses on positive values and images.

1. Disability Awareness

2. Disability
Viewed
Negatively
Devalued Roles and Negative Images
(Wolfensberger, 1972)

3. Disability Viewed Negatively
Object of pity—We
should feel bad for or
sorry for people with
disabilities.

4. Disability Viewed Negatively
Object of burden or
charity—People with
disabilities are seen as
helpless or as someone
who needs our help.

5. Disability Viewed Negatively
Object of menace—
People with disabilities
as something to be
feared; as scary.

6. Disability Viewed Negatively
Object of dread—People
with disabilities make us
anxious; we want to
avoid prolonged contact
with them.

7. Disability Viewed Negatively
Object of ridicule—
People with disabilities
and their misfortunes or
defects as humorous,
silly or laughable.

8. Disability Viewed Negatively
Subhuman—Those with
disabilities are less than
human; vegetables;
animal-like.

9. Disability Viewed Negatively
Sick—Disability as
disease; as
pathological;
something “wrong”.

10. Disability Viewed Negatively
Childlike—The view of
people with
disabilities as eternal
children.

11. Disability Viewed Negatively
Holy Innocent—The notion that
people with disabilities have
special status or special
protection from God, without
the capacity to understand or
commit evil.

12. Disability Viewed Negatively
Sexual Deviate—
People with
disabilities are either
sexual perverts or
asexual.

13. Disability
Viewed
Positively
Affirming Values and Positive Images
(Turnbull, 2007)

14. Disability Viewed Positively
Inherent Strengths—Students
and families have many
natural capacities. They need
great opportunities for
educational programs to
identify, highlight, and build
upon their strengths.

15. Disability Viewed Positively
Great Expectations—Students have
many capabilities that have not been
tapped. We can develop new visions
of what is possible. These visions
can become realities. We need new
perspectives of what life can be as
well as support for fulfilling these
dreams.

16. Disability Viewed Positively
Relationships—Connections
are crucial to quality of life.
Students and families need
to connect with each other,
educators, and friends in
the community.

17. Disability Viewed Positively
Positive Contributions—
Individuals with disabilities
contribute positively to their
families, schools, friends, and
communities. We need to
develop greater opportunities
for these contributions.

18. Disability Viewed Positively
Full Citizenship—Less able does
not mean less worthy.
Students with exceptionalities
and their families are entitled
to full participation in
American life.

19. Disability Viewed Positively
Choices—Students and
families can direct their
own lives. Enabling them
to act on their own
preferences promotes their
self-determination.