The U.S. Census Bureau conducted a study in 1997 to gather statistics on disabled Americans. The study showed that there was 10.7 % of the American population between ages 15 to 24 and 57.7 % between ages 75 to 79 with some form of disability (�U.S. Census Bureau� 3). Furthermore, an article about the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act states that 85 % of the national population will develop a disability at sometime in their life (�ADA�s 10th Anniversary� 1). With so much of the population having disabilities, and the chance of developing a disability so high, it is important to educate everyone on how to react to people with disabilities. Yet, it is argued that it is too expensive to make adaptations and that it takes time away from more important lessons (ex. math, writing and science). Furthermore, many disability programs are inadequately presented.
Reading statistics only gives a broad overview on the number of disabled people there are in the United States. It does not educate anyone how to act around people with disabilities. With accessibility and inclusion increasing all the time, there is a greater chance of meeting someone with a disability in their every day routine. However, most people are unsure how to react. A lot of people let fear of the unknown dictate how they react. Adults will avoid eye contact or ignore any person with a disability. Children will often ridicule people with disabilities, when adults are not present. This only succeeds in making the person with a disability feel unwanted, or that there is something wrong with them.
With education, society has done a good job on getting the disabled citizen out of their homes, and leading a more productive life. However, we cannot stop there. In a magazine article, Jerry Lewis is quoted as saying, �You don�t want to be pitied because you�re a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house� (Barreda 9). This is the kind of small-minded ignorant attitude that we need to educate against. Everyone has a right to be involved in his or her community. When used properly the disability awareness programs available, leave no reason for lack of knowledge. Education is the first step to understanding and acceptance. A teacher cannot just tell children that they need to accept people with disabilities. They need to explain what a disability is and how it affects the person with a disability. First, education will help people learn terminology. People are not handicapped. �A handicap is a physical or attitudinal constraint that is imposed upon a person.� (�Disability Etiquette� 1). If you are right handed and not allowed to use your right hand then a handicap is being imposed upon you. Also, It's not a disability that has a person connected to it. It is a person that happens to have a disability. |
