Inferiority
Because a person may be impaired in one of life's major functions, some people believe
that individual is a "second-class citizen." However, most people with
disabilities have skills that make the impairment moot in the workplace.
Pity
People feel sorry for the person with a disability, which tends to lead to patronizing
attitudes. People with disabilities generally don't want pity and charity, just equal
opportunity to earn their own way and live independently.
Hero worship
People consider someone with a disability who lives independently or pursues a profession
to be brave or "special" for overcoming a disability. But most people with
disabilities do not want accolades for performing day-to-day tasks. The disability is
there; the individual has simply learned to adapt by using his or her skills and
knowledge, just as everybody adapts to being tall, short, strong, fast, easy-going, bald,
blonde, etc.
Ignorance
People with disabilities are often dismissed as incapable of accomplishing a task without
the opportunity to display their skills. In fact, people with quadriplegia can drive cars
and have children. People who are blind can tell time on a watch and visit museums. People
who are deaf can play baseball and enjoy music. People with developmental disabilities can
be creative and maintain strong work ethics.
The Spread Effect
People assume that an individual's disability negatively affects other senses, abilities
or personality traits, or that the total person is impaired. For example, many people
shout at people who are blind or don't expect people using wheelchairs to have the
intelligence to speak for themselves. Focusing on the person's abilities rather than his
or her disability counters this type of prejudice.
Stereotypes
The other side of the spread effect is the positive and negative generalizations people
form about disabilities. For example, many believe that all people who are blind are great
musicians or have a keener sense of smell and hearing, that all people who use wheelchairs
are docile or compete in paralympics, that all people with developmental disabilities are
innocent and sweet-natured, that all people with disabilities are sad and bitter. Aside
from diminishing the individual and his or her abilities, such prejudice can set too high
or too low a standard for individuals who are merely human.
Backlash
Many people believe individuals with disabilities are given unfair advantages, such as
easier work requirements. Employers need to hold people with disabilities to the same job
standards as co-workers, though the means of accomplishing the tasks may differ from
person to person. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require special
privileges for people with disabilities, just equal opportunities.
Denial
Many disabilities are "hidden," such as learning disabilities, psychiatric
disabilities, epilepsy, cancer, arthritis and heart conditions. People tend to believe
these are not bona fide disabilities needing accommodation. The ADA defines
"disability" as an impairment that "substantially limits one or more of the
major life activities." Accommodating "hidden" disabilities which meet the
above definition can keep valued employees on the job and open doors for new employees.
Fear
Many people are afraid that they will "do or say the wrong thing" around someone
with a disability. They therefore avert their own discomfort by avoiding the individual
with a disability. As with meeting a person from a different culture, frequent encounters
can raise the comfort level.
