In an attempt to respect the privacy of people with disabilities, their disabilities are often hidden by the person with the disability. Friends, family, and caregivers also do the same. So often people with disabilities are met with prejudice. There is clear discrimination at times and there is also discrimination that is also covered up. Hiding a disability may protect the person against prejudice. Hiding a disability may also add to prejudice.
This happens because a person who attains a level of achievement wants to be just a person who attains a certain level of achievement, and not a disabled person who attained a level of achievement, so that person and those around him or her will keep the disability private. Then the achievements that disabled people can achieve isn’t “public” and the public see the disabled as a community that is needy. I do understand and I know not everyone who is disabled is in the mood to “represent” their disability, but it can contribute to prejudice against the disabled. Those who can represent their disability should take pride in their disability and be public with their disability.
I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if more people took pride in their disabilities. There was a time when African Americans tried to hide their color to be accepted and to avoid prejudice and discrimination. Now, there is pride in the accomplishments of the African Americans of the past and present. This month, February has even been dedicated to Black Awareness. What if disabled people publicized their disability especially when accomplishing minor and major achievements? Most people don’t even know that we have a National Disability Awareness month! (It’s in October.)
As group home staff we need to respect each of the group home residents’ rights to privacy and it should be their choice or their guardian’s choice if they want to be public with their disability. Group home staff can support the resident in any decisions to go public with their disability. If group home support staff show embarrassment when in public when with a resident, it will be difficult for the resident to feel pride in who they are. Disability pride should start in the group home.
The inspiration for the article came from this old press release, Pride Against Prejudice: Disability Awareness campaign on Inclusion.com
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