What do you Think about People with Disabilities: Test Yourself
We all face some form of stereotype and individuals with disabilities are no exception. When you meet an individual what so you see first? How tall they are? How much they weigh? How they are dressed? The wheelchair? The physical problem? The Cane? Or the person? What do you think about the person? Read the following statements. Decide if you think the statement is a fact or myth? Then check out the answers. Correct Answers
1. People with disabilities are more comfortable "with their own kind".
2. All persons who have a disability are chronically ill or sick.
3. People with disabilities are brave and courageous.
4. Non-disabled people are obligated to "take care of" their fellow citizens with disabilities.
5. The lives of people with disabilities are totally different from those of non-disabled people.
6. People with disabilities always need help.
7. Wheelchair use is confining; users of wheelchairs are "wheelchair bound".
8. All person with hearing disabilities can read lips.
9. People who are blind acquire a sixth sense.
10. People who have a mental illness are violent.
11. People with disabilities share the same basic needs that every human has including the need to feel productive and useful. Misinformation and misunderstanding often perpetuate attitudes, which promote stigma and discrimination. People with disabilities want to be judged for who they are, not what they look like or talk like. Through education and challenging our own beliefs, we can begin to see beyond the person's disability.
Adapted from: Awareness: The First Step toward Change: Tips for Disability Awareness
Answers to What do You think about People with Disabilities Self-Test
1. People with disabilities are more comfortable "with their own kind".
FACT: Years of grouping people with disabilities in separate schools and institutions has reinforced this misconception. Today, more and more people are taking advantage of new opportunities and are successfully living and working in our communities.
2. All persons who have a disability are chronically ill or sick.
FACT: Being disabled is not the same as being ill. Most people with disabilities are in good health. The association between disability and illness has probably evolved through people with disabilities living in institutions, nursing homes and hospitals, even when they were not in need of medical care. Today, most people with disabilities live, work (or want to work), and are involved in their communities.
3. People with disabilities are brave and courageous.
FACT: Adjusting to a disability actually requires adapting to a lifestyle, not bravery and courage.
4. Non-disabled people are obligated to "take care of" their fellow citizens with disabilities.
FACT: People may offer assistance to whomever they choose, but most people with disabilities prefer to be responsible for themselves.
5. The lives of people with disabilities are totally different from those of non-disabled people.
FACT: People may offer assistance go to school, get married, work, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh, cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, vote, plan and dream, like everyone.
6. People with disabilities always need help.
FACT: Many people with disabilities are quite independent. If you want to help someone with a disability, ask first to see if they need it.
7. Wheelchair use is confining; users of wheelchairs are "wheelchair bound".
FACT: A wheelchair, like a bicycle or automobile, is a personal assistive device that enables someone to get around. Many wheelchair users compete in athletic activities, dance, bowl, dine out, etc.
8. All person with hearing disabilities can read lips.
FACT: Lip-reading skills vary greatly among people. Persons with hearing disabilities may use a variety of communication methods, such as sign language and or interpreters, and may have different levels of proficiency in each method. It is important to find out from the individual what communication style they prefer.
9. People who are blind acquire a sixth sense.
FACT: Although most people who are blind develop their remaining senses more fully, hey do not have a sixth sense.
10. People who have a mental illness are violent.
FACT: Violence among people with mental illness is extremely rare. More often, they are victims of crime.