A disability is defined as “Any condition of the body or mind that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities and interact with the world around them” (CDC).
Whether invisible or visible, many people live with disabilities daily, and there’s a lot of stigma and stereotypes revolving around people who have disabilities. These stigmas are ignorant and hateful and should be denormalized. Learning how to be more accepting, welcoming, and kind to people with disabilities can make all the difference to them. In honor of Disability Pride Month, I thought I’d share some tips on spreading disability awareness.
1. Learn To Not Judge
It’s easy for people to automatically judge someone with a noticeable disability and even easier for people to judge someone who looks perfectly “normal.” But the reality is that everyone is going through something, disability or not, and treating people based on who they are and not what they’re going through is a great way to spread kindness.
2. Accept Others
People living with disabilities can become excluded from social situations and daily activities that abled people perceive as everyday norms. If someone around you is disabled, one of the best things to do is treat them as you would any other person, but make sure to acknowledge their disability as well. This can help make people feel included and cared for, and creates a safe space for disabled people.
3. Don’t Assume
Making assumptions about someone’s disability is more harmful than helpful. Instead of assuming what someone can or can’t do, or whether they’re struggling or not, you should do your research on their disability or even ask them questions if that’s something they’re comfortable with. No abled person is the same, and no disabled person is the same. Two people with the same disability might be able to do or not do different things, so don’t group people together and make assumptions just because of their disability.
4. Show Support On Social Media
By spreading facts, pictures, infographics, etc., on social media, you’re not only showing disabled people that you care, but you’re also spreading awareness about disabilities. Just make sure the information you’re spreading is correct and not falsified, as that can once again be more harmful than helpful. If you aren’t into social media activism, you could even buy shirts that show you’re in support of people with disabilities, or you could donate to organizations/charities, etc.