If one was to think about an average public place, such as the grocery store, and they happened to encounter someone in a wheelchair, what would they do? This is a common predicament considering the “56 million Americans with disabilities” encountered by ordinary people every day (Muehe qtd in “What Disability Means”). Let’s say one of those ordinary people tried to help the person in a wheelchair; would it be a selfless act of kindness, or would it be the moral obligation to aid someone seen as lesser or incapable? People with various physical, mental, or behavioral special needs or disabilities are judged simply based on one aspect of their identity. Whether their disability is obvious, plays a large role in their life, or none of the above,
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The world today runs rampant with stereotypes and discrimination against those of color, females, the LGBTQ community, socioeconomic status/education, and more. Disability, a less addressed form of discrimination, is still clearly present. When a group of individuals was questioned for a study done by a health care provider, “more than half (51%) thought they [people with learning disabilities] were the most discriminated against group in society-coming above other groups...including gay people (44%), overweight people (43%) and ethnic minorities (40%)” (Williams). This study blatantly states that those with certain disabilities are among the most discriminated-against people, despite the fact that the world focuses on others instead. One possible explanation could be that individuals with special needs are often forgotten or excluded. For example, “A third of Britons think those with such disabilities cannot live independently or do jobs...nearly one in ten (8%) expected them to be cared for in a secure hospital out of town” (Williams). Not only do these Britons assume the disabled can’t provide for themselves, but they further exclude them and want them housed in a separate facility outside of town. These Britons judged the disabled based on presumed stigmas, and discriminate against them by purposely excluding them. Discrimination doesn’t just exclude someone though; it can have more serious consequences. According to an article based on the World Health Organization’s stance on mental health rights, “Workers do not understand that people with mental disabilities have human rights” (Schlein). Having one’s basic human rights taken away is the most degrading form of discrimination, especially when it’s based on one part of someone’s identity. Even small children are taught to treat others as they want to be treated. Further, Samantha Connor commented on the changes and
The world today runs rampant with stereotypes and discrimination against those of color, females, the LGBTQ community, socioeconomic status/education, and more. Disability, a less addressed form of discrimination, is still clearly present. When a group of individuals was questioned for a study done by a health care provider, “more than half (51%) thought they [people with learning disabilities] were the most discriminated against group in society-coming above other groups...including gay people (44%), overweight people (43%) and ethnic minorities (40%)” (Williams). This study blatantly states that those with certain disabilities are among the most discriminated-against people, despite the fact that the world focuses on others instead. One possible explanation could be that individuals with special needs are often forgotten or excluded. For example, “A third of Britons think those with such disabilities cannot live independently or do jobs...nearly one in ten (8%) expected them to be cared for in a secure hospital out of town” (Williams). Not only do these Britons assume the disabled can’t provide for themselves, but they further exclude them and want them housed in a separate facility outside of town. These Britons judged the disabled based on presumed stigmas, and discriminate against them by purposely excluding them. Discrimination doesn’t just exclude someone though; it can have more serious consequences. According to an article based on the World Health Organization’s stance on mental health rights, “Workers do not understand that people with mental disabilities have human rights” (Schlein). Having one’s basic human rights taken away is the most degrading form of discrimination, especially when it’s based on one part of someone’s identity. Even small children are taught to treat others as they want to be treated. Further, Samantha Connor commented on the changes and