Disability is NaturalDISABILITY IS NATURAL.... See following URL:-
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/
A New Way of Thinking
Throughout history, a variety of strategies have been used to solve the
"problem" of disability. In ancient times, Grecian and Roman laws mandated
the abandonment or death of babies with disabilities, to fulfill society's
quest of achieving "human perfection." During the early part of the
Christian era, the presence of disability was often thought to be the result
of the person being sinful. Religious leaders tried to cure individuals with
disabilities through prayer or healing practices, as well as by "beating the
devil" out of the "afflicted."
Fast forward to the first half of the twentieth century, when the solution
to cure "deviancy" was found in the "special training" available only in
institutions for the "feebleminded." Hundreds of thousands of children and
adults were abandoned in institutions, where segregation, isolation, abuse
of all kinds, and death were commonplace.
Under the conventional wisdom of the time, "feeblemindedness" and other
conditions were thought to be hereditary, so the ultimate cure was
preventing people with disabilities from making more of "their own kind."
Thousands of men and women with disabilities were involuntarily sterilized.
This inhumane practice was upheld by the United States Supreme Court, with
Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes proclaiming, "Three generations of
imbeciles is enough." Eugenics (creating a society of the "well-born") ruled
the day.
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing.
Albert Einstein
A few years later, Adolph Hitler and his followers in Nazi Germany adopted
and adapted American eugenics methods. Yes: Hitler and his minions learned
from "eugenics experts" in the United States of America. Before embarking on
the wholesale extermination of "undesirables," the Nazis experimented to
ensure their methods would work. They first practiced on people with
disabilities before taking on the larger population of Jewish people and
others who didn't represent Hitler's view of a desirable master race.
Isolation, segregation, incarceration, sterilization, abuse,
experimentation, and murder were Hitler's "cure for deviancy."
The Ancient Greeks and Romans wanted a society that represented "human
perfection." In the 20th Century, American eugenics experts, on one side,
and Hitler's Nazi Germany, on the other, used horrendous methods in their
efforts to create a more perfect human race. In between, other societies
have sought "improvements" by eliminating people who, for one reason or
another, were seen as invaluable or unworthy.
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.
It seems we've come a long way. In the United States today, people with
disabilities are protected by laws that prohibit discrimination based on
disability. In addition, the inhumane institutional practices of the past
have been replaced by community-based programs, services, and interventions.
Mission statements of disability organizations and service provider agencies
include references to inclusion, integration, the value of people with
disabilities, and other "progressive" ideals.
Progress?
But perhaps we haven't come as far as we think. Today, society doesn't
condone the murder or abandonment of "defective" babies at birth. Instead,
we simply kill many before they're born, thanks to "advances" in prenatal
and genetic medicine. (Is the "new science" of genetics just another version
of eugenics?)
Instead of incarcerating individuals with disabilities in large state-run
institutions, we now utilize community-based services and programs. But
these special services often result in life-long physical segregation and
social isolation. Too many children with disabilities are effectively hidden
behind the closed doors of segregated special education classrooms. Too many
adults spend their days in congregate "working" environments or day
programs, and their nights in congregate living quarters. Segregation,
isolation, and invisibility are still with us.
We may have changed the locations where people with disabilities spend their
time, but today's social policies still reflect the attitude that the
"problem" of disability is within the person. Thus, a continuum of services
exist: from treatments designed to "fix" or "help" those who (it's thought)
may one day achieve some measure of an "able-bodied" standard, to programs
which "protect" those who won't, and everything in between.
Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom. George Iles
If-in hindsight-we know the conventional wisdom of the past was wrong,
shouldn't we thoughtfully ponder today's conventional wisdom? Or will we
continue to accept the status quo (even when it appears to be progressive),
and leave it to future generations to wonder, "In the early part of the 21st
century, people talked about the importance of inclusion, but why did they
continue to embrace special programs that isolated and segregated people who
had been labeled with disabilities?"
A New Direction
Advocates in the field have traditionally agitated for more services and
more funding. But we do not need more special programs that isolate and
segregate people who have been labeled with disabilities. 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 part of the human experience" (as stated in the
U.S. Developmental Disabilities Act and other laws). In addition, we need to
acknowledge that people with disabilities are fine, just the way they are!
Instead of focusing on the "problems" or the label of a person, we need to
open our eyes a little wider and recognize and celebrate the abilities,
strengths, talents, interests, and dreams of those who have been labeled.
Isn't that what we do for ourselves and others who have not been labeled?
When was the last time you broadcast all your problems to the world? Don't
you share your strengths instead?
Instead of trying to "fix" people with labels, we need to ensure they have
the tools they need for success (such as assistive technology devices for
movement, speech, and other needs) and accommodations (physical, social, or
other types of support), to enhance their successful inclusion and
participation in the typical, ordinary environments most Americans take for
granted. Isn't this also what we do for ourselves? We use tools, such as
computers and other devices; seek and acquire the supports we need; and do
whatever it takes to fulfill our dreams. Why should the lives of individuals
who have been labeled with disabilities be any different?
Instead of thinking people with disabilities are incompetent-unable to
learn, succeed, make decisions, and more-we need to presume competence. When
we expect a person to learn, expect her to succeed, and expect her to make
decisions about her life, she will! She may need assistive technology,
supports, or accommodations to accomplish her goals, but so do we all.
Instead of believing people with disabilities are doomed to live pitiful,
needy lives, we need to ensure they have the same opportunities as others to
live Real Lives! And what's the definition of a Real Life? It's simple: what
would the person be doing if he didn't have a disability? And with assistive
technology, supports, or accommodations, there's no reason why this can't
happen.
Instead of using special services which isolate and segregate individuals
with disabilities and their families from the mainstream of their
communities, we can forgo these "entitlements" and find the help and
assistance we need from the natural supports and generic services in our
communities. This is not rocket science, and it's happening today. In the
process, individuals with disabilities and their families are living Real
Lives, included in their communities. (And those who provide special
services can change the way they do business to ensure services are provided
in natural, inclusive settings!)
Today's laws and services may represent progress, and many benefits may have
accrued from these legal and social policies. But the real solution to
creating an inclusive society rests in the hearts and minds of each of us,
and in the souls of our communities.
A Gentle Revolution
Nothing short of a paradigm shift in how we think about disability is
necessary for change to occur. Disability, like ethnicity, religion, age,
gender, and other characteristics, is a natural part of life. Some people
are born with disabilities, others acquire them later in life. (And if we
live long enough, many of us will acquire a disability through an accident,
illness, or the aging process.)
A disability label is not the defining characteristic of a person, any more
than one's age, religion, ethnicity, or gender is the defining
characteristic. We must never use a disability label to measure a person's
value or predict a person's potential. And we must recognize that the
presence of a disability is not an inherent barrier to a person's success.
We do not need to change people with disabilities! We need to change
ourselves and how we think about disability. When we think differently,
we'll talk differently. When we think and talk differently, we'll act
differently. When we act differently, we'll be creating change in ourselves
and our communities. In the process, the lives of people with disabilities
will be changed, as well.
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing
himself. Leo Tolstoy
I am the proud parent of two wonderful teenagers, one of whom has been given
a disability label. I am a wife, a daughter, a sister, a neighbor, a member
of my community, a resident of Colorado, a friend of many people with and
without disabilities, and a public speaker and trainer on disability issues.
If I live long enough, I may become a person with a disability. And I want
to live in a society in which all people are valued, included, and live the
lives of their dreams. I hope you do, too.
This is an exciting time, full of hope and promise! Each of us has an
extraordinary opportunity to contribute to a gentle revolution that will
enable adults and children with disabilities to move from clienthood to
citizenship! Are you ready for the change? Ready to embrace new ways of
thinking? Ready to make a difference? Ready to promote positive images of
children and adults with disabilities? Then let's get started! Explore all
the pages of this website, be open to new ideas, sit and think awhile, talk
with others, and do whatever it takes to create positive, long-lasting
change. We can do it!
Kathie Snow
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