INTERGRATING THE DISABLED INTO SOCIETY

When diversity is spoken of, the picture that usually comes to mind is that of different

cultures, inclusion of different races and gender equality in the work area or something

along those lines. Very unlikely it is that we imagine the word diversity to also include the

physically and/or mentally challenged in our society, in our neighborhoods or even living

with us.

The challenge to integrate has been pushed to people far out there while the stigma

at home remains. Stigma against people who are just like us except with an extra set of

challenges. Stigma against people who could have been us. No one chose to be born

handicapped but stigma against the handicapped is a choice.

Society in fact may be promoting the stigma against the handicapped. We may say,

we do not see diversity in the media, the employment strategy is biased, and/or they don’t

like me because I’m .... (insert skin color here). Then think again, how often do we see a

handicapped person in an advert on television, let alone be a main in a sit-com, how often

do we go to a work place and see a handicapped person well employed and do think how

many of the disabled do not have as many friends as they want simply because they are

handicapped?

The above stated is only to bring to realization that as society struggles in being

diverse, we are still lagging behind when it comes to stigma. This stigma can only be

eradication one individual at a time. And the end of stigma starts with you.

Imagine if someone acted shocked, amused or repulsed whenever they learnt that

you had an extra molar tooth and thus decided not to involve you in anything at all – that’s

nearly an equivalent. Not. It is much worse

HOW TO INTEGRATE THE HANDICAPPED INTO OUR SOCIETY

Control Yourself

Seeing a handicapped person or learning that a person is handicapped in some instances

can be cause of surprise, non-blinking staring and in the worst of scenarios, even laughter.

There is a lot of content in social media that features mostly videos making fun of the

handicapped. This has to stop.

The first step to preventing stigma is controlling how you react.

It isn’t their Fault

That they are handicapped is not your fault and it’s not theirs either. Diversity means

embracing difference and you shouldn’t claim to embrace difference until you treat the

handicapped near you with the same amount of respect you command.

Understanding the root disability will allow you to appreciate the handicapped individual.

Avoid Stereotype

You may know someone with a mental problem or disability, just because you know one

does not mean that you know all of them. You may use your past experience to relate to

them but each is an individual with their own traits regardless that they may suffer the same

disability.

Treating a handicapped as the individual that they are will help them feel appreciated, just

like we all feel appreciated when someone recognizes us from the crowd.

Involve Them

If you know a handicapped in your society, involve them in your activities. Visit them, eat

with them and do stuff that you would do with all your other friends. Meet them at their

point of need as you would anyone in your society.

People with disabilities face challenges but this doesn’t stop them from being human.

Be Genuine

Do not be nice to them just because of their illness. Do not be nice only because you think

you are doing a ‘noble’ cause. Be nice to them because every person deserves to be nice to.

Being nice to them only because of their disability is like someone liking you only because

they feel bad that you are not as good as they.

Handicaps are not better than you, but you are not better than them either.

Treat them as they Deserve

A handicapped is not a ‘it.’ They are not disgusting as I heard someone ignorant once state.

They are people just like you and me, individuals with their own pro’s and con’s, just like we.

They are male and female just like we. And believe it or not, they too have emotions as we

do.

Handicapped people are part of our diversity. Respect them. Involve them. Embrace them.