Disabled means many things?

Question

Why do people insist on lumping everyone together who has disabilities like we are all the same?

People who are have low-vison are disabled and what they want, need to live their lives is entirely different than what people who have severe spinal cord injuries and have quadriplegia want, need to live their lives fully and that is entirely different than a person who has a cognitive disability wants. needs to live their life fully.

What is available to people with disabilities is also different is different countries, states, and cities - so be specific - so you can get information you can actually use.

If you need answers - ask a specific enough question so that a person can actually help you if they want to.

Is that really so hard?

I don't mind being called disabled - in fact I am quite proud to be part of the disability community - what I mind is the thinking that all disabled people are the same - like we are some homogeneous group.

I am talking about the questions people ask HERE. A question is asked about what travel or parenting or housing assistance a disabled person can get - they have a specific person in mind - yet they keep the question so general it is doubtful anyone would give them any helpful information they need. Why can't they be specific? Are people afraid of the words that are disability specific?

Answer 1

Some people may be afraid of the stigma that certain disabilities carry. I know I am. I never mention my own specific disability on a public forum because I know the moment I do, no one will take me seriously anymore. It's happened far too many times and I will not allow myself to be burned again.

I do understand what you're saying, though. All disabilities are not the same. There are a myriad of things that can be wrong with a person, physical, mental and emotional. They are all serious and valid disorders, but they do not have the same needs, so specifics are helpful. But sometimes, it's just not possible for people to give all the specifics, such as the name of the disorder.

Answer 2

Yes, it can be really hard to ask a question.
It can be hard to generate the nerve to ask (you have to recognize a lack in yourself, an acknowledgment that someone else is better able to deal with your situation than yourself, etc).
It can be hard to pose the question in an understandable manner (some topics are very subjective and painful and may not be clearly understood).

As for lumping all disabilities together, we, as a people, tend to group things together. We try to connect the dots (that's why we look at the clouds and see dragons or the stars and see Ursa Major. We lump tall people together, old people together, etc.

We all have disabilities (dis ~less or not~ able).

I am old, I don't have the abilities that I once had. And I have other needs than the sight, hearing or mobile impaired. So what's the problem?

Answer 3

People only put people who are disabled into a group because each of us have something in which we do differently or need assistance to accomplish.
I have a handicap plac but to look at me you would never know my medical condition.Someone ask me why I had a handicap plac and park in the handicap parking area.
I simply told her because I am disabled.She didn't ask anything else.I don't need to explain my health to strangers but I will share with
I see a doctor at least once or twice a week due to my back problems the doctors are scared to operate on my back as a result the instability in my spine so they are waiting for me to not be able to walk they can't understand how I am able to still walk with so much nerve damage and pain.
If the operate I have a forty percent chance of walking so they wait
In the mean time I am a person who hides my pain and weaknesses so many people look at me as being fully capable as everyone else.

You are right people with disabilities are group but I do not dislike this because this makes us strong and unique.

Answer 4

In Australia the only term we are legally allowed to use is 'person with a disability'- the person always comes first. However, i still don't like that word. I like to use 'ability', everyone has different abilities. I work in the disability field and i make sure the clients i work with understand that they are no different from anyone else and they each have a ability.

We actually had one of the groups write a song by themselves and they called it 'don't dis my abilitiy' and is about people starring at them and calling them names. It is a excellent song and when they sung it at a concert the majority of people were crying.

When i tell people the job i do i say i work with people to realise their abilities and help them with their independence. I do not like using the word 'disability'.

Answer 5

I agree. In the US, there has gotten to be so many handicap parking spaces, but I usually only see able bodied people parking in them. I asked one such lady one day what her disability was and she said she had had a stoke. I have another friend whose Mother passed away, and she uses her deceased Mother's handicap parking permit.Alot of disabilities want the people to get more exercise, but they don't want them to walk any distance to the mall??!! Yes, all questions need to be more specific if a person truly wants help.We are not mind readers.

Answer 6

Yes you are right on as usual and the employers out there need to know this to because when they hear the word disabled they go into this mode of we have got to get this person out of here and they never think about how can I help this person keep their job and contribute to my company and one of the reasons for this is the difference in the state laws and how it affects each employer.

Answer 7

disabled is an adjective and disability is a noun. They are merely different parts of speech, but have the same meaning.

Answer 8

For legal and PC reasons they do it. I understand in the idea of certain issues, they need to be lumped such as SSI or SSDI but in general we know there's a difference.

Answer 9

I did not choose to be permanently physically disabled.
I had to adapt very quickly or be left behind.
Mobility is a pain in the rear end at times so what.
I am alive and grateful.