Disability is Natural

A NEW WAY OF THINKING

New Ways of Thinking Can Lead to New Ways of Acting

Throughout history, various “authorities” have attempted to address the “problem” of disability. In ancient times, Grecian and Roman laws mandated the abandonment of babies with disabilities. During the early years of Christianity, religious leaders tried to cure individuals with disabilities through prayer or healing practices, as well as by “beating the devil” out of the “afflicted.”

During the first half of the twentieth century, thousands of children and adults were incarcerated in institutions, where a variety of treatments—”training,” isolation, segregation, and other inhumane practices—were used to cure “deviancy.” Under the conventional wisdom of the time, “feeblemindedness” and other conditions were believed to be hereditary, so authorities decided the ultimate cure would be to prevent people with disabilities from reproducing. As a result, thousands of men and women with disabilities were involuntarily sterilized.

Wisdom?

Today, we look back on history and shake our heads in sadness and disgust, recognizing that the conventional wisdom of the past was wrong—horribly, horribly wrong.

We appear to have come a long way. Under today’s conventional wisdom, people with disabilities are protected by laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability. In addition, the inhumane practices of the past have been replaced by programs, services, and interventions designed to assist people with disabilities.

Progress?

But perhaps we haven’t come as far as we think. For today’s attitudes and social policies still view the problem of disability as being within the person with the disability. Therapies, interventions, and services are geared to “fixing” the person, helping him “reach his maximum potential,” or enabling him to achieve some measure of an “able-bodied” standard. And in almost all cases, to one degree or another, today’s services continue the social isolation and physical segregation of the past.

If—in hindsight—we know the conventional wisdom of the past was wrong, shouldn’t we thoughtfully ponder the appropriateness of today’s conventional wisdom? Or will we accept the status quo, and leave it to future generations to ask, “If they wanted people with disabilities to be included, why did they embrace special programs that isolated and segregated them?”

A New Direction

Disability activists have traditionally advocated for more services and more funding. But we don’t need more special programs that isolate and segregate people with disabilities from the mainstream. We need, instead, inclusion in schools, communities, employment, and in other typical environments. To move toward that direction requires us to recognize that disability is a natural condition and that people with disabilities are fine just the way they are!

Instead of trying to fix people with disabilities, we need to focus on providing them with tools for success (such as assistive technology devices for movement, speech, and other needs) and accommodations (physical, social, or other types of support), to ensure their inclusion and participation in the typical, ordinary environments most Americans take for granted.

A Gentle Revolution

Nothing short of a paradigm shift in how we think about disability is necessary for this to happen.

This is an exciting time! We each have an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to a gentle revolution that will enable adults and children with disabilities to move from clienthood and take their rightful places as citizens. And in my book and bimonthly newsletter, you’ll find a variety of strategies you can use to make a difference!

Kathie Snow

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http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/anewwayofthinking.htm

 

contact us: DBTAC Southwest ADA Center
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