Negative Perceptions Of People With Disabilities

Disability has been a difficult topic of society for years. Many people find discomfort in the presence of the disabled and many feel pity for those who are disabled. Back in the 1800s, the disabled were perceived as unable to contribute to society, often forced to undergo sterilization, and forced into institutions and asylums (“A Brief History”). In fact, this treatment of the disabled and mentally ill has been persistent until somewhat recently, when the Civil Rights movement took place, and those with disabilities decided to take a stand for their rights. Although people with disabilities continue to face difficulties in finding jobs, legitimizing their opinion, having the right to vote, and choosing whether or not they receive or refuse

Ultimately Americans’ view disabilities as something that needs medical treatment and educational intervention. Other cultures views toward individuals with disabilities are both similar and different in some ways. Pacific Islanders believing that disabilities are a result of their ancestors wrong doing, individuals from the Philippines believing that that a disability is a curse and reject the individuals, and the Chamorro culture believes that individuals with disabilities should be protected because disabilities are a gift from good.

Most of society does not see the challenges that people with disabilities go through. I also think that if the world had more resources for those with disabilities we could erase prejudice. For example, more hospitals should provide an ASL interpreter for the patients who cannot understand what the doctors are saying and can’t express their issues to their doctors. All in all, society just needs a better understanding of what people with disabilities go through on a day to day basis.

We live in a digital world where the physical work becoming lesser and lesser day by day. In the professional world, if we look at any workplace whether it is industry or business, the people with disability will face discrimination. Stereotypical thinking is that people with physical disability cannot do much of work. Even though in this digital and machine world where less physical work required, though the disabled persons find difficulties. Most questionable thing is that, physically disabled persons who are entrepreneurs, they run their own business but they initially had faced discrimination in the professional world even though they have the qualification and every other qualities that proved that they are completely eligible for the job. The most questionable thing is that even bank which approved their loans for business, those banks also doubted them as a person.

There are several issues that create obstacles for disabled workers, negative perceptions, lack of external hiring support, and lack of internal hiring support (Wharton University of Pennsylvania, 2013). There can be the perception on the part of the employer that disabled workers create additional work for the colleagues, regardless of whether or not the fear is founded. There is frequently a lack of external hiring support as in no program by the corporation

Every person in the organization with a disability has a different need. Organizations work around the clock in many occasions to comply with the accommodations of each individual in the organization. Educating staff in how to comply with the requirements of ADA can be quite challenging. Organizations are afraid to hire, retain or accommodate workers with disabilities because of lack of awareness of disability and accommodations issues, concern over costs, and legal liability (Kaye et al., 2011). It is therefore the responsibility of the organization to educate management about the law and train on disabilities and accommodations. The guidelines, regulations, and building codes should be implemented to make the facility more welcoming and inviting to workers with disabilities (Stryker, R. (2013).

Just like any other minority, the disabled have been discriminated throughout history. Disabilities can be composed of physical or mental handicaps and discrimination has always occurred for both. It has historically been difficult for the disabled to not only find employment, but also to keep acceptable employment. These individuals also have had trouble being treated properly on the job. Transportation has also been an issue because many of the disabled cannot move or get around as easily as others. There is a history of isolating or separating the handicap from society by not having proper access available or by not allowing them to participate in all government programs. People with hearing problems also have not been able to

Despite many crucial developments surrounding acceptance of others there is still a long and arduous path ahead of our society. People with disabilities, whatever a given disability may be and mean for the individual, are frequently stigmatized. They are not always offered equal opportunities, nor are they always offered the proper support to fortify their capabilities so that the individual may be the best they can be. Because of this there are many people who never go or return to college, are unemployed, or are isolated from the community.

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The Office of Disability Employment was designed “to develop and influence disability employment-related policies and practices” (Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) - U.S. Department of Labor, 2017). The disability employment statistics show that in March of 2017, the labor force participation for people with disabilities is 20.4 percent compared to the 68.7 percent for people without disabilities. Additionally, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 10.6 percent, while people without disabilities are at 4.3 percent. The Office of Disability Employment sponsors Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion, Job Accommodation Network, LEAD Center, National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth, and Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology, which are resources that are trying to incorporate individuals with disabilities into the workplace (Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) - U.S. Department of Labor, 2017).

Prejudice and Stereotyping is one of the main causes in disability discrimination. Some people tend to believe disabled people have limitations and less potential beyond the disability itself.

Reflecting on this weeks discussion I have came to realize that I too draw in stereotypes on disabilities, woman/gender, and older adults without realizing it. I think that it is easy to draw stereotypes towards these populations due to the significant influence society has. It gave great insight to me to see how others also drew the same stenotype to the other population such as being grumpy, or moving at a slower pace. When I saw that others thought this as well I began to realize that its just a stereotype that has been created about the older population. Now, having awareness of the self generated stereotypes of the presented population I am now able to pick them out and try to turn my perspective to the idea that not everyone is the same.

    A person with a disability, or handicap, can be defined as someone with a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial or long-term adverse affect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities (Employment 2). Handicap workers face many challenges in the work place that the average person overlooks. Also, many special arrangements and alterations have been made to the workplace for people with handicaps. Accessibility, transportation, workload, and salary are just some of the many issues that must be considered with the prospect of employing the handicap.

Universally the discussions support Julia’s employment protection secondary to the Americans’ with Disabilities Act of 1990 which disallows discrimination against disabled workers. However, there remain numerous obstacles that can be faced by those with disabilities in regards to procuring gainful employment. Perceptions that a disabled worker will increase the labor of other workers may be prevalent, companies may experience a deficiency in external hiring support, for example, recruitment of the disabled. In addition, companies often lack funds or processes that would allow them to meet the requirements for accommodation of disabled employees (Wharton University of Pennsylvania, 2013).

Over the years, perceptions towards disability have been significantly changing as result of the long pathway the disable community has taken fighting for Civil Rights, inclusion and against discrimination. Unfortunately, this last one has not been totally accomplished yet. Barriers to social integration still exist in the society. Perhaps the greatest barrier is not the disability itself; is the attitude of people.