Why do people associate disability with stupidity?

Answer 1

That goes way back. Part of the reason is simply that there's a grain of truth in that some people with disabilities do have intellectual impairments.

But the more general assumption that people with disabilities are stupid has two sources.

One is historical--and the best way to explain it is by example. People who are Deaf sound different if they speak--and many do not read well. So historically, the Deaf were often viewedas stupid. Much the same kind of stereotyping was directed at the blind. For example, as late as 1955 writers in the professional journals about the blind were still saying that being blind also meant being retarded.

The other source of this stereotype is our special education system. It is doing an inexcusably poor job of meeting the educational needs of children with disabilities--and so theyare not getting the education they should (and that taxpayers are paying for). And lack of education, combined with a disability, doesn't equip soeone to deal with society or life very well.

Of course, there's always a few bigots out there who bully and belittle anyone they think is vulnerable--but for people with disabilities, at least, they aren't the main problem.

Answer 2

This is a very good question and one that I have been pondering on for a very long time myself. The reason why people believe this is the fact that many historical figures; such as President Theodore Roosevelt who associated epilepsy, deafness, and blindness with feeble-mindedness, preached this nonsense so many times that society started to actually believe this lie. Historic figures, such as President Theodore Roosevelt, is the very reason why society has this belief that the disabled can do nothing more but scrub some sh*tty, nasty *ss toilet for a living.

The only way the disabled can dispel this bullsh*t lie is through higher education. Higher education is the key to provng society wrong. This is the very reason why I have been preaching the value of higher education since I joined Yahoo Answers. Obtain a Bachelor's Degree from a respectable university and graduate with honor's is the first step in help to prove that the disabled actually has a brain and that we can do more than learn the proper ways of scrubing a sh*tty toilet or pushing a broom/ mop.

Answer 3

Having a wife who has been disabled for a number of years i have wondered this myself. I can only say they are the lowest of the human race, who have no idea of what the disabled person, or the family of that person has to deal with, Just because that person is in a wheelchair does not make them stupid, yet people stare as if they have two heads, the human race has a lot to answer for, but i think it comes down to the old saying 'I'm alright Jack'
It could be worse lots of animals kill and eat their own if they are disabled

Answer 4

I have a "disability" ( I'm deaf, but i wear Cochlear Implant that lets me "hear"),and all those people already answered your questions about having disability associating with stupidity. However, today, in this society, things had changed much more than it was in the past. Today, just because you have disability doesn't mean you can't be smarter than other people (due to more available technologies and treatments), and i am a living testament to that (think autistic ppl. They may have higher IQ than we do, but usually socially inept. Shows how you can be smart one thing, but bad in another thing and that applies to everybody)
But, by having a disability, you encounter a lot of obstacles and difficulties that would frustrate you very much, but i think people with "disability" are one of those people who rises to the occasion by coping with life on every single day.

Answer 5

Excellent question, I've always wondered that myself.

Generally if they see you have a disability alot of people just assume if you have one you must have them all. If you're blind, you must be deaf and have a mental disability too.

I think it's fear and ignorance and probably the use of the term handicapped as opposed to disabled. They have an image of a person begging on the street, cap in hand looking for a handout. Many of them mentally challenged so they just assume that all people with disabilities are mentally challenged as well as whatever disability they have.

Movies and TV haven't helped and people calling anyone who is different a retard or libertard etc.

It's just basicly ignorance and fear.

Answer 6

Well said Crabby and Lizzy.

It frustrates those with a physical disability no end, to be treated as if they are mentally incapable to be able to do even the most basic things.

Even people who have a mild mental impairment are treated as they are total imbeciles, and quite often they just need a little assistance or guidance.

People see the disability and not the person.

Answer 7

Not all people do. The stupidity is on their part because they don't understand that disabled people are quite capable of doing most of the things they can, and in some cases do it better. My nephew has severe learning difficulties but is excellent at his music and drama classes, he lives in a house with another disabled fellow, he cooks and cleans, goes shopping albeit with his support worker but he still does it. He swims goes horse riding and also plays pool better than his brother.

Answer 8

Good question. When I applied for Social Security Disability I was asked some of the dumbest questions. They had nothing to do with my disability! Just common sense questions! Go figure! I told them that I was physically disabled not mentally disabled!

Answer 9

I don't think they do. Some might but they will be people who cannot get beyond physical appearance and base all their opinions on their own assuptions rather than taking the trouble to get to know someone. Stupidity is something that knocks on everyone's door from tome to time and the disabled are no more susceptible to this than anyone else.

Answer 10

I have a disability of the brain, it short circuits during sleep with painful repercussions, it leave me with little sleep and a patchy short term memory, but I think of myself more intelligent than most people that I meet , mainly caused by ignorance and lack of knowledge. I play golf to keep fit, but others slag me off for not working, they don't understand what go through every night