There is a lot to think about when it comes to including individuals with disabilities in our community. Our focus will be on how people with disabilities can be integrated into society. This can include easing accessibility to the community, such as improving their transportation means. At times, there seems to be a societal stigma limiting individuals with disabilities from being fully included. Our hope is that they get the care and meaningful relationships that they desire. On this page, we will look at ways to address this stigma. You can find helpful resources by visiting our Community Directory or browsing our Events Calendar.
Disability Stigma
Let’s discuss what this is to understand it better, beginning with its origins on why and how it exists. Check out chapters 1-4 of the series, “Disability History” by the National Park Service. Chapter 2 pictures how the United States once treated individuals with disabilities. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on efforts to change our viewpoints about them. Additionally, look at this chapter, titled “Historical Background of Disabilities” by SAGE Publications. This gives more history and information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and includes perspectives from stakeholders about individuals with disabilities.
We have come far in improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities, but there is still more work to be done. There have been a lot of changes in federal legislation. These changes created a foundation for dealing with discrimination, along with pointing out what lacks in areas like employment and access to healthcare.
We would like you to read the research paper “Addressing Public Stigma and Disparities Among Persons with Mental Illness: The Role of Federal Policy” from the National Library of Medicine to get a sense of the gap that exists and how we can meet it as a community. The effectiveness of federal legislation is interrupted by labels: “individuals may not seek protection from discrimination because of fear of the stigma that may ensue after disclosing their mental illness” (Cummings 2013). Social stigma makes it difficult for people with disabilities to be a part of the community. Community inclusion is necessary for this pattern to dissolve within the general population.
We urge you to do your own research. You are welcome to use these links to answer more questions that you may have. Changing the way people think, especially about a certain population, is not easy nor is it immediate, but doing so on a local level has a promising outlook.
The book “The Stigma of Disease and Disability: Understanding Causes and Overcoming Injustices. is our last resource. It is worth the read for advocates for people with disabilities, as it compiles a lot of important information and research. We have linked here a summary of the book and all of its chapters from The American Psychological Association, so you may decide if it is relevant to you. The two most important components to overcoming stigma mentioned are education and contact. We hope this information has given you a better understanding of the many different topics related to the disability community.
