Frischknecht

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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