Module 1 - Conceptualizing Disability (P.5 of 7)
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Dealing With Negative Stereotypes

Negative stereotypes of people with disabilities has always been an issue.  In ancient times individuals with disabilities were often isolated in forests or institutions, treated as being possessed by evil spirits, or seen as a product of sinful relations of their parents. Unfortunately, those attitudes have not completely changed. More recently, people with disabilities have been seen as carriers of disgrace to their family or community because they were unable to be educated or obtain employment.   These are examples of how in many cases, a disability may only affect a small percentage of an individual’s life, however, it is considered his/her defining characteristic by others. People with disabilities experience many stereotypes that are originated in the fact that their disability makes them different. It wasn't until 1973, well after the Civil Rights Movement, that official United States policy (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) proclaimed discrimination against people with disabilities would not be tolerated.  Even today, with policies such as these in place, people with disabilities have to deal with forms prejudice, such as ableism, in aspects of their daily lives, most notably, when applying for jobs.

The following are definitions of the factors that impact how people view disabilities.

  • Ableism - a form of oppression that emphasizes abilities and favors able-bodied individuals over individuals with disabilities (Robinson, 2005).
  • Attitudes - an individual’s inclinations, tendencies, or biases that manipulate their responses to situations, activities, people, or environments.
  • Stereotype - theories that organize our mental representation of group differences (Smart, 2000).
  • Stigma - a trait or a mark that makes an individual stand out of “normality”.

Attitudes and Awareness

As noted earlier, classifying disabilities assists in the justification and allocation of services, resources, and advocacy efforts. However, these classification systems also allow for the development and spread of stereotypes, such as the false stereotype that all people with the same disabilities share characteristics, experiences, and abilities (Smart, 2000). Although this section is not intended to discuss concepts such as disability and stereotypes in depth, it is important to briefly define some of these concepts. This will provide a frame of reference and a more complete understanding of the “disability experience”.

How Attitudes are Formulated

Researchers in the areas of counseling and education suggest that society develops attitudes toward disability in different ways. Some of the most important means of developing attitudes specifically toward people with disabilities are defined as follows.

  • Direct Experiences – direct, one-on-one interaction with people with disabilities in various social, educational or personal contexts.
  • Indirect Experiences – the reflections of popular media and how people with disabilities are represented in TV, radio, or literature. This affects opinions, attitudes, and perceptions of people with disabilities, especially with those who have not had direct experiences with people with disabilities.
  • Reference Group – the ideologies and views on disabilities inherited from parents, peers, and society.

Reference groups and indirect experiences often have the earliest impact on one's attitudes toward people with disabilities. Parents' attitudes have a significant influence on young children and their initial attitudes on many aspects of life, including their attitudes toward people with disabilities. Also, because of the influence popular media has, many people will see a portrayal of an individual with a disability before an opportunity for a meaningful direct experience occurs.

 

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