Gloria Ovwigho

Mrs. Jank

English 2, Block 8

12 February 2018

 

 

The Perception of the Disabled

In our society today, those with disabilities are often seen as disposable. It is frequently debated whether the disabled should have a place in our society. Over the years, stereotypes have developed about the disabled and these stereotypes contribute to them being devalued, and therefore, mistreated or isolated and not given any regards. This disposability is evident in the dehumanization and discrimination of this group in areas such as education, career advancement, health care, and in participation in society in general.

One of the roots of the dehumanization of this group is that a lot of times those with disabilities are not seen as actual humans with feelings, thoughts, and sensations. Societal judgment leads to this group of people being isolated. This judgment results in the belief that life with disabilities has no value. The isolation and segregation of those with disabilities can be seen in the herding of humans with developmental disabilities into large institutions with often deplorable conditions. One example is the Willowbrook State School, a massive institution in New York, that was exposed in 1972 by Geraldo Rivera on its appalling conditions. At this institution, there are reports of abuse, neglect, and severe lack of hygiene due to the residents being treated like animals. Many institutions were described as being “torture for kids.” (Sexton) Although this gained some awareness, there were nearly nonexistent efforts to close these kinds of institutions until later. This reflects the lack of thought this group of people receives due to the beliefs that they are valueless. It is clear that a lot of people want nothing to do with those with disabilities.

There are other reasons why some believe they are not valuable. One view is that they do not have much of a life to live. Often, it is debated in our society whether euthanasia or medical-assisted suicide should be a medical option for those living with disabilities. Some assume this option is viable, because they have the opinion that their existence does not matter.  It could be argued that they do not contribute to the economy and just use up medical and financial resources without giving back anything positive. Deborah Schurman-Kauflin explains these stereotypes of being worthless. “Those with disabilities are described as burdens with nothing to offer.” (Kauflin) People with these beliefs treat them like they are nothing. One reason why these beliefs about disabilities still prevail is due to parental influence on their children. M. Whiting conducted research on the integration of those with disabilities in schools in Tasmania and this provides evidence of that practices while raising children impact attitudes towards disabilities. Sometimes children are instructed or feel pressured to conform to the views of the adults around them. The continued passing on of these opinions can lead to harsh and discriminatory practices. These acts often take away the humanity of the disabled.

When the disabled are not seen or treated as human, they are presumed disposable. Because of this notion of disposability, the disabled are not able to participate in a lot of society. Often, artificial limits are placed on individuals with disabilities. Society categorizes people in predetermined categories based on their assumed values. These categories can lead to practices that ostracize the disabled, because they are outside of the socially accepted norms. For example, in the area of education, they are often discriminated from receiving free public education or achieving college degrees. Often, their educational needs are not served. A report on the educational systems in Australia examined this behavior in schools in New South Wales. “When children were given a place, the report found that teachers often refused or were reluctant to make adjustments, due to poor attitudes towards disability.” (Roy) The lack of adjustments indicates the worthless perception of the disabled. The report then continues on to explain how some families were told that there was no place for their child at school. Other discriminatory practices often disallow them career advancements, promotion opportunities, certain wages, or finding employment at all. It is harder for them to find safe housing and adequate communications support, and there is often a lack of resources to aid these people and lack of effort to concoct resources, because of the societal perceptions that are held. “As Roeher (1969) observes, an examination of attitudes towards people with disabilities across culture suggests that societal perceptions and treatment of persons with disabilities are neither homogeneous nor static.” (Munyi). Habitually, there is a deficiency of diversification and movement to change things to aid the disabled, because of these views. Supporters of social Darwinism in the 19th century were against state provisions to the handicapped and poor, because they believed their preservation would tamper with the process of natural selection of the “best.” This demonstrates the long-standing conviction in some that the disabled aren’t fit to live due to the “lowliness” of their disabilities, and hence, withheld aids from them.

Because of their disabilities, they are not included in society or in a lot of things that those without disabilities receive. There are acts passed by Congress that prohibit some of these behaviors, but the discrimination still prevails. The Americans with Disabilities Act states that “Disability is a natural part of the human existence and in no way diminishes the right of persons with developmental disabilities to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, and experience full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society.” (“Dehumanization, Discrimination, and Segregation”). A number of groups in America adhere to this act and treat a disabled person without regards to the fact that they have a disability, knowing that they have an equal place in society. Some groups fail to include the disabled and see a disability as something that lessens a person’s value. Prevailing societal views about the disabled affect what expectations and treatments a handicapped person receives. These attitudes have the potential to alter how a person with a disability views himself or herself. By assessing themselves using society’s perceptions and thoughts, the disabled may have changed their feelings about who they are, the value they hold, and how they should function and behave. Some attitudes towards the handicapped can result in the handicapped seeing themselves as disposable, too.

In our modern culture, some groups of people are seen as disposable, and one of those groups of people is the disabled. The perception that those that are handicapped are disposable leads to many forms of discrimination, isolation, neglect, mistreatment, and the formation of stereotypes and judgments. The disabled often are looked down on as valueless as some see them as burdens and treat them inhumanely. Because of the way they are categorized by society, they often experience exclusion from participating in many aspects of the world, because they are seen as disposable.

 

 

Works Cited

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