What are some stereo-types that apply to the disabled?

Question

This came up in conversation & we were wondering what different stereo-types other people think apply to people with disabilities.

Answer 1

Down syndrome
1. You are all sweet and nice.
2. You are innocent.
3. They all have mental retardation.
4. You can never be capable of living alone
5. You can't go to college
6. You shouldn't have sex/ have no interest in sex

Cerebral Palsy
1. Since your body doesn't work well your mind does't either
2. That drooling (if they drool) is a sign of mental retardation.
3. That if you tried harder you could walk or walk better.
4. That there is someone to blame for it happening (from TV lawyer ads)

Deaf
1. That you can't hear anything at all.
2. That you can't appreciate music
3. That it means you can't talk
4. That you get heightened other senses.
5. That you use sign language
6. That you lip read

Blind
1. That you can't see anything at all
2. That you get heightened other senses
3. That you always need help to get across a street
4. That all blind people read Braille.
5. That all blind people use (or should use) canes or service animals

Learning Disability
1. That if you tried harder you could overcome them
2. That you are stupid
3. If you have one kind of learning disability you have others

Autism
1. That you can't make eye contact
2. That you spin or rock
3. That you can only focus on one thing at a time
4. That you are incapable of loving

ALL of these are stereotypes and not true of all people with these disabilities. The biggest stereotype of all ----

That people with disabilities are incapable of being parents, working, and paying taxes just like everyone else!

Answer 2

A stereotype that I come across all the time: "If there is no visible disability, the person can't possibly be disabled." Some people think that if you don't use a wheelchair or a cane or are not missing a limb or something else that is a rather obvious sign of a disability, then you can't really be disabled. In reality, many disabilities cannot be seen by just looking at the person. People can be in a lot of pain, have serious heart problems etc. and still look just like everybody else.

As a result of this, a lot of people think those invisibly disabled people are abusing facilities meant for disabled people, when they're really fully entitled to use them.

"You're young, you look normal, you must be healthy!" People have trouble believing that young people can have invisible disabilities or serious health problems. They assume that just because we're young, we must be healthy.

Some people assume that physically disabled people are also mentally disabled.

Some people assume that special communication is needed with the disabled person, or that the disabled person can't speak for themselves. For example people ask the companion of a blind person whether the blind person would like some coffee, instead of just asking the blind person straight (duh! They're blind, but they can still hear and speak!).

"Disabled people who don't work are just lazy and feeling sorry for themselves." Some people can't seem to understand that some disabled people are really unable to work and really need social support. They're not just being lazy or abusing the system to get money.

There is a lot of stereotypes out there.

Answer 3

First stereotype, that disabled persons can't work. Funnily enough in this information/knowledge age, someone who is disabled probably has more of a chance of working from either his/her home or in an office with his/her accessibility devices . Screen readers can read for those who can't , the internet has put a small stop to transportation problems outside the home because the disabled person can surf the net for information and never have to leave his/her home. Good for journalists,researchers etc.

Another stereotype people with disabilities take more time off than regular people this is not at all true. If anything disabled people probably take less sick days.

Disabled people cost more to insure , wrong again. Insurance rates for disabled persons are the same as everyone else.

Most of the stereoypes people have of disabled persons generally revolve around fear and ignorance. They don't know any disabled people so they 'assume' the myths and misunderstandings permeated in society are true .

Answer 4

One group of disabled people haven't really been addressed, but I think they should be, as I am one of them. The mentally disabled, those who have major depression, panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental illnesses. Most do not understand or believe one can be disabled by these mental illnesses. Many people think we are just plain crazy and should be "put away" to protect society. Also, many people think we are lazy, faking, and should just come out of it. Mental Disabilities can be treatable, but may not be curable. Some can overcome their disabilities and work like anyone else, while others can not without some serious modification to the way the person works.

There is also many forms of treatment and all are volunteer. I don't take meds for my mental disabilities, but do use another form of assistance that most people are not familiar with. I use what's called a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) http://psychdog.org. We do have full access rights to use a PSD, just like a Guide dog or other Service Dog. Most PSDs are trained by their disabled owners with or without professional help. PSDs give the disabled owners abilities and opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be there, such as simply as leaving their homes, working, and other activities. The mentally disabled can also have and raise children, on their own or with support from family/friends. I am a single, disabled, stay-at-home mom.

Answer 5

According to Lina H, a very bitter racist who frequents the forum "Other-Cultures & Groups", "The people with disabilities are just lazy pieces of sh*t who needs to get over themselves and quit feeling sorry themselves. The only ones that are ever discriminated upon are the blacks." She continues by stating that "The disabled are too f*cking stupid to know what discrimination was like even if the disabled were discriminated upon, which I doubt they were even ever discriminated upon because the only people that ever get discriminated upon are the blacks, because the disabled don't have the brains to understand what discrimination really is."This is her exact words that she e-mailed me on Thursday 9/27/07. We got into a very heated argument in count of this ignorant *ss statement that she had the nerve to e-mail. No lie!! If I could have reached through the screen I would rung her stupid neck.

Answer 6

wow there are so really good ones and I think someone mentioned about this already but the one that gets me most is when people will try and argue with me that I am not disabled or that my mom is not disabled because we look "normal" or that I am not really disabled that I am just lazy and fat, I have multiple back problems as well as problems with my knees, my mom has a sever heart condition that she got from an infection she caught at work as well as back and lung problems, but because you can't see our problems we must be faking it and I was basically told this by doctors before finding one who would actually listen to me and do an MRI.

Answer 7

Wow, some people came up with great answers. I'd also like to add the following FALSE sterotypes:

-They are stupid.
-They are less than human and don't deserve the same treatment that other people do.
-They don't have feelings, or if they do, their feelings aren't as important as other people's feelings.
-They were only put on this earth so that other people could make a game or a joke of laughing at them.
-They can never learn anything or be educated.

Answer 8

The main stereotypes are that you are incompetent (unable to hold down a conversation or a life); completely ignorant and stupid; always acting like a baby regardless of age, that they are ugly (due to some deformities they have), they drool all over themselves and staring into space. These descriptions only cover a few select group. And just because they have one of the above characteristics doesn't mean they will have all.

Answer 9

Right on ... undir. Even my family used to think that I could do more. I would hear.. " why don't you do this or this." Only after some either pulled a muscle or a herniated disk, did they ask, How have you done this all of your life? Severe scoliosis Is a disability!

Answer 10

chili is so correct with the assumptions!! I do not spin ( i would get sea sick!) I do however, rock if I am nervous, I do make eye contact is i am comfortable with someone, and can be very rude when need to be, and i sometimes see children as rude, ignorant, and just plain, a pain in the butt. Why?? I was made fun of, and it still happens today, in the South, as a matter of fact, that people think I am retarded,crazy, ( see? i have predjudices, too) stupid or God forbid, child- like and in need of assistance. (That REALLY gets my goat!!) I agree with chili and iso. they hit the nail on the head.