Supporting
Disability History Month
International Day of Person’s with Disabilities
INTRODUCTION
Society is made of different cultures, circumstances and diverse backgrounds. However without even realising we can ignore and underestimate people with varying abilities. This can be automatically judge certain people as negative without understanding a specific person. This means due to other people lack of patience and understanding we can unfairly ignore a person with disabilities including hidden differences.
This can be associated with old fashioned stereotypes including labels such as “care recipients” and a negative perception if a person is not coping or struggling.
We need to be smarter than hiding behind stereotypes and general perceptions.
We need to make sure that a person with disabilities and hidden differences are valued, accepted and able to access the same opportunities
This includes stop seeing the negatives or worst case scenarios when you see a person with a variety of disabilities.
Paying greater attention to a person’s passions ambitions is essential and their potential of how a person can the beneficial to others.
A CITIZEN, NOT A RECIPIENT
There are many voices only associates disabilities & difficulties as a care recipient and not a citizen. Including situations when some people are treated that they are not entitled to exercise their dignity and human rights. In addition being wrongly demonised for being passionate and ambitious. Sadly some people do not accept disabilities and difficulties beyond stereotypes such as “Do what what other people say” and appear submissive at all times. Demonised judgements can occur if a person with disabilities and hidden differences challenges anything which does not seem right or appears submissive
POSITIVE QUALITIES
One of the most ignored aspects is the variety of positive qualities a person with a disability and hidden differences have from their strengths and attributes.
This means there have talented abilities which can go unnoticed.
Combining their strengths attributes and unique expertise can provide a variety amount of ideas, solutions and positive strategies in communities, businesses and the rest of society.
Not just that if they are supported and appreciated they could be a beneficial in families and relationships. However making reasonable allowances must be made with respecting that dignity human rights, expressions and prerogative.
GOING BEYOND THE POSITIVES
There are a variety of people with disabilities including hidden differences who are valuable achievers, role models and game changers. So it’s very important not to see the negatives or with two outdated stereotypes which is far from reality.
So it is important not to ignore the value the existence of people with disabilities and hidden differences from all backgrounds and circumstance. They may have challenges and they may face certain situations that can be compromising but not an excuse to ignore their place in society.
WAYS FORWARD
We must stop defining disabilities and difficulties with stereotypes and stop controlling their identity. This means respect their dignity and human rights and respect if a person who is ambitious and passionate.
Written By Keith Mckenzie
Project Director, Plus Value Awareness
Click here for details of the Project Director
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Supporting Disability History Month
Supporting International Day of Person’s with Disabilities
Plus Value Awareness covers independent people with hidden related difficulties including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia & Social Anxiety.
This article coveralls all disabilities and difficulties
Keith Mckenzie
for Plus Value Awareness
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