By Priya Pasumarthy, MS
It could be said that there are components of the attitude towards people with disabilities that overlap with racism. These components, which are systemic, continue to exist in our society. Various systems (schools, offices, etc.) and other workplaces might act as barriers or cause impediments to the growth of differently abled individuals to various degrees. This understanding can particularly be helpful to differently-abled individuals, parents, teachers, and their advocates for advocacy purposes. Further, this insight can assist in building and sustaining inter/intra-personal relationships. This could also help employers and other stakeholders to exercise caution during the process of hiring differently-abled individuals. This way, talent or merits beyond disabilities won’t be devalued or diminished, and thus, they will collectively contribute to quality.
Disabilities encompass both visible (physical) and invisible (autism spectrum disorder, emotional, and other cognitive, etc.) disabilities that affect individuals' functionalities and independence. With media and technological advancements, current societal awareness and outlook have shifted from a “medical model” to a “difference,” which will take time to manifest to the fullest.
When we encounter a disabled person, our usual reaction to their disabilities might be pity, prejudice, or perceiving them as a weaker group in abilities or potential. Of course, not all pity or perceptions are harmful, and this receptivity could be at an individual level or at an entire community level. Sometimes, these prejudices are induced or inherent, consciously or unconsciously.
Crossover of Components
It could be said that the components, such as attitudes, prejudices, receptivity, and perception of weakness with regards to disability, overlap with racism. Racism is the belief that people of different races have distinct qualities or abilities that distinguish them as a dominant or weaker group than another. There will be an ongoing imbalance between dominant and weaker groups. The perceived weaker groups need to prove themselves again and again. This belief prevails, becoming inborn from person to person to a societal level that could interfere with judgments and contribute to conflicting execution.
Some attitudes towards disabilities overlap with racism. However, disabilities are both visible and invisible, and affected individuals need accommodations and assistance to perform to their full potential at workplaces or other institutions. Steps should be taken to ensure that talents or merits beyond disabilities won’t get devalued or diminished. Similarly, this is applicable in other aspects, such as building relationships. This responsibility not only falls on the shoulders of bigger businesses or workplaces but also at the inter/intrapersonal level.
References:
Benaji. R. et. Al. Systemic racism: individuals and interactions, institutions and society. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications. https://cognitiveresearchjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41235-021-00349-3
Morgan. P. Invisitble Disabilities. Break Down the Barriers. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulamorgan/2020/03/20/invisible-disabilities-break-down-the-barriers/?sh=77f24d34fa50
Samuelson. K. Widespread bias, discrimination directed toward people with disabilities who seek health care. Northwestern Now. https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/10/health-care-discrimination-people-with-disabilities
Priya Pasumarthy, MS, is the author of Our Little Promise (2022) and Halloween at Luke's (2019) and is a healthcare provider. She holds a Master of Science degree in Marine Biology and lives with her family in the Bay Area of California. She loves adventures; so far, her favorites include bungy jumping in New Zealand and hiking the Hverfjall Volcano in Iceland. Her hobbies include cooking, shopping, reading, writing, watching films, and horseback riding.
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