AM’s 2 cents

Disability is not inherently negative.

Becoming disabled involves major life changes including loss as well as gain, but it is not the end of a meaningful and productive existence.

People with disabilities experience discrimination, segregation, and isolation as a result of other people’s prejudice and institutional ableism, not because of the disability itself.

Social beliefs, cultural norms, and media images about beauty, intelligence, physical ability, communication and behavior often negatively influence the way disabled people are treated.

Societal expectations about economic productivity and self-sufficiency devalue persons who are not able to work, regardless of other contributions we may make to family and community life.

Without positive messages about who we are, persons with disabilities are vulnerable to internalizing society’s negative messages about disability.

Independence and dependence are relative concepts, subject to personal definition, something every person experiences, and neither is inherently positive or negative.

Disabled people’s right to inclusion in the mainstream of our society is now protected by law, yet we are still not treated as full or equal citizens.

-Examples taken from:

Adams, M., (1997) Teaching for diversity and social justice. New York: Routledge.