Twenty-five percent of U.S. adults and 40% of those age 65 and older have disabilities that impact their daily lives. As if managing these conditions wasn’t difficult enough, most — if not all — also face disability prejudice, or ableism. Yet, most able-bodied people are unaware of this ongoing discrimination, which is why it’s so important to educate yourself and your family about it. Only then will you be capable of combating ableism in its many forms.
Thankfully, many activists are already spotlighting visibility and cultivating collective awareness. However, if they’re to ensure long-lasting change, they must educate today’s youth. Doing so will inspire a passion for justice and inclusivity in the coming generations, which will ultimately create a more cohesive, equitable society that benefits everyone. You can go to this website for more info.
1. Be Matter-of-Fact
Addressing any kind of inequality is difficult, especially when it stems from things a person can’t change or control — like congenital conditions and incurable illnesses. However, being forthcoming about information can help educate young kids and lead to more effective allyship.
Keep things simple by explaining things in a matter-of-fact way and use words your little one will understand. For example, if a relative has cerebral palsy, you can tell your kids that their muscles work differently — not better or worse — than theirs. Try to keep emotions out of the equation as words like “sad” or “unfortunate” can convey pity, which isn’t helpful or respectful.
2. Talk About Adaptive Equipment
Whether your child has a friend with disabilities or spots a passerby in a wheelchair, they’ve likely seen someone using adaptive equipment. Often, these devices will prompt stares and questions, thereby presenting the perfect opportunity to discuss ableism.
Talk to your child about how people with disabilities use adaptive equipment and assistive devices like hearing aids, screen readers and prosthetics to help them complete everyday tasks. If your child is older, discuss how much these inventions cost and how price and availability can stop some people from purchasing them and getting the help they need.
3. Keep on the Lookout
Encourage your kids to engage with their surroundings and look for ableism within the community. Turn the activity into a game of I spy and challenge your little one to notice missing wheelchair ramps and lifts, narrow doorways and hard-to-reach shelves.
Looking for examples of representation is equally important, so keep your eyes peeled for designs and devices that optimize access to accommodate people with disabilities. Maybe your transit system has wheelchair lifts or the school playground includes textured elements for children with visual impairments. Talk about how these features make play and work easier for people with disabilities.
4. Prepare for Questions
Tough conversations can bring up tough questions, so you must prepare for the inevitable barrage of how’s and why’s. Of course, you won’t have answers for questions like, “Will he ever walk?” or “Why was she born like that?” However, focusing on the positives like physical therapy and the doctors working to find a cure can help you respond in a sensitive but honest manner.
If your little one has dozens of questions about a friend or family member with a disability, ask them if they’re willing to answer a few. You may find that your loved one is more than happy to explain their condition and their personal experiences with ableism. First-hand accounts will cultivate empathy and help your kids better understand disabled peoples’ daily struggles.
5. Teach Respect
Teaching your child to talk about differences in a respectful manner can also facilitate more meaningful discussions. Give your little one the right language to talk to or about someone with a disability. Moreover, teach them to ask before offering assistance or find safe ways to help by opening doors, holding elevators, etc.
Kids must also learn proper etiquette for responding to service dogs. Because these animals are often working while out in public, it’s important that your children keep their distance and avoid petting them. Otherwise, the dog could become distracted and fail to notice important health alerts, which could put their owners in potentially life-threatening situations.
6. Point Out Similarities
People with disabilities may experience life from a different point of view, but you still share more similarities than differences. We’re all human, after all, so pointing out connections shouldn’t be too difficult. For example, maybe your child’s friend has cognitive disabilities, but they can still run or bike just as fast as everyone else. Acknowledge this similarity can help your kids find the common ground on which to build new friendships.
Finding other characteristics, physical features and personality traits that match your kids’ can also help them cultivate empathy for their peers. In doing so, they’ll effectively fight ableism and encourage others to do the same.
Awareness Prompts Action
The best way to teach your kids about ableism is to join in the fight against it. Spread awareness and prompt others to act by campaigning for equality together. Encourage your little one to start conversations with teachers, classmates, relatives and anyone else who will listen. The more people become aware of this rampant discrimination, the quicker they can successfully eradicate it.
Unfortunately, people may be born with disabilities as well as they may get it during their life. It is important to talk about differences in a respectful manner… It also applies to learning disabilities. Earlier, I thought that learning disabilities like dyslexia are only child disorders, but it turns that adults may suffer from them too. For example, ADHD (this article covers this topic quite broadly, in my opinion) – a lot of adult students have attention disorders, but anyway, there are the right ways to overcome it and reach educational, career goals, etc.