Introduction
In modern society, people are treated differently based on many factors. Disability is one of the factors that can make an individual subjected to discrimination. It is important to remember that although many disabled people face discrimination, everyone handles it differently. Individuals with disabilities have a variety of influences in their lives that shape who they become and the things they learn. These include family, religion, education, community, upbringing, social environment, employment, and social networks. They are also affected by system-level factors, including legislative rules, available initiatives, and associated funding. Society’s treatment of those who are deemed to have an impairment is what makes them disabled. People with disabilities require attention because they have unique personal characteristics, personal stories, conflicting identities, and environmental contexts that shape their psychological requirements.
The disabled face many hindrances in society, and thus, close attention must be given to them. Many people with disabilities allege that they were treated poorly or unfairly by medical professionals and other staff members at hospitals and clinics (World Health Organization, 2021). Insufficient training and opportunities for professional development have left many service providers uninformed about the rights of disabled individuals and their health needs. Disabled people are often turned away because their healthcare provider does not have policies to encompass them. Appointment lengthening, service expansion, and fee reductions for the disabled are all possible outcomes of such policies. Disabled women face unique challenges in accessing sexual and health information and care. People in the medical field frequently assume that women who experience disabilities are asexual or unable to have children. Disabled people are rarely included in discussions or decisions about their care.
The challenges to communication that the disabled face make it essential to be given close attention. The lack of written materials or gesture interpreters at health facilities is a significant obstacle for those with hearing impairments (World Health Organization, 2021). People with visual impairments face hurdles when they cannot get patient data or medicines in accessible forms such as Braille. The presentation of patient data may be difficult to understand or include extensive terminology. In low-income nations, almost half of disabled persons lack access to affordable healthcare (World Health Organization, 2021). Furthermore, many individuals who are disabled say they cannot afford the money it would take to visit a doctor or drugs
Historical and Systematic Oppression Disabled People Faced
People with disabilities have fought for society’s recognition and acceptance for many years. They have been subjected to hostility, ignorance, and even murder due to bias and bigotry. Disabled persons have been historically killed from infanticide to starvation, burns, social exclusion, suffocation, and drowning (Marini et al., 2018). They have been hung for entertainment, used in gas chambers, exposed to bullets and gas, warehoused while drugged, beaten, shackled, and imprisoned for torture. Shockingly, these practices persisted up to the conclusion of World War II and continue in some regions today.
Individuals born with congenital disabilities succumbed to birth-related issues such as infections soon after birth. They were murdered for monetary, population control, or religious reasons due to a lack of medical knowledge and technology. Plato endorsed murder for eugenics, whereas Aristotle sanctioned it for economic reasons; both theories justified killing babies born with physical deformities (Marini et al., 2018). As a result of the Greeks’ emphasis on the intimate relationship between body and soul, many people feared that being physically unable to work was divine retribution for their sins. Disability was considered a disgrace to the soul since the Greeks equated the body with the spirit. Individuals with mental illness were particularly vulnerable to the stigma of being labeled as possessed by the devil. To the ancient Hebrews, being disabled was God’s way of punishing them for their sins (Marini et al., 2018). People with disabilities were looked down upon in ancient Greece because their handicap reflected their social and economic standing.
Christians believed the disabled were cursed or possessed and needed prayer and help. Abandoning and murdering disabled individuals who could not care for themselves was common among Germans and Slavs in Central Europe (Marini et al., 2018). No effort was made to determine the cause of the impairment since the misery of persons with disabilities was seen as God’s judgment. Disabled people were thought to be possessed by the devil and were subjected to gruesome punishment such as whipping, immersion in boiling water, and starvation. The Catholic Church’s varied history of treating individuals with disabilities with kindness on the one hand and inhumanity on the other was a source of much controversy.
Society started shifting its perception of those with mental illness from possessed to unwell. Changes in perspective on disability and its treatment emerged between 1500 and 1700 (Marini et al., 2018). Doctors were allowed to dissect human cadavers to learn more about the underlying causes of disease and incapacity. Asylums replaced monasteries as the preferred placement for those diagnosed with mental illness or developmental disabilities. Sadly, the asylums did not provide any therapy or rehabilitation; instead, they served as prisons, with some patients being chained and imprisoned if they did not comply. People who exhibited symptoms of mental illness were regularly persecuted and executed in early American society. However, disabled people were often seen as a moral concern, and families with disabled members were typically stigmatized. Those in wealthy areas who suffered from a mental disorder were kept at home if they posed no threat to others but were locked up and regarded as criminals if they did.
A euthanasia program was used to justify Nazi Germany’s systematic murder of the elderly, the chronically ill, the physically or mentally disabled, and the emotionally distraught. Adolf Hitler began the program by giving his doctors the power to order the death sentence for anybody they judged unfit to live (Bengtsson, 2018). The program managers mandated a comprehensive census of all chronic care facilities, including mental hospitals and residential care facilities. The program’s staff first used starvation and fatal injection as their primary methods of murdering participants but eventually settled on asphyxiation using poison gas. Physicians monitored gassings in rooms concealed as showers, using lethal gas. Execution centers in Germany and Austria were outfitted with gas chambers by the program’s managers. It depicts the actual and systematic oppression disabled people faced during Adolf Hitler’s reign.
Effect of Oppression on the Mental Health of the Disabled
Physically disabled people may be at a higher risk of depression than the general population. Numerous risk factors, especially societal and individual attitudes based on stereotypes, increase the likelihood that a person with a physical handicap would develop depressive symptoms. Poverty, environmental hazards, and inadequate medical attention are daily stresses disabled encounter. People with impairments have a higher rate of suicide and suicidal thoughts. However, the disability itself does not majorly cause suicide ideation. The social limitations many individuals with disabilities confront daily significantly contribute to this potentially fatal mood disorder. People with impairments experience huge impediments to regular social interaction that have virtually no association with disability. Access to public transit for wheelchair users and the absence of adaptable employment opportunities for the disabled are some examples.
Disabled people who have their condition evident to others can face prejudice and hostility. They have higher unemployment rates than the general population because of widespread discrimination against them in the workplace. This prejudice stems from the false belief that disabled people cannot perform as well as their non-disabled counterparts. The discrimination they face at the workplace intensifies the mental stress they undergo in their daily lives. Regrettably, high unemployment rates among disabled people pose a serious problem, especially for individuals who cannot afford health coverage. People who are disabled are disproportionately denied access to quality mental health services. They face many obstacles that hinder them from seeking mental health care promptly. It may be difficult for people with disabilities to ask for assistance when needed because of factors such as inaccessible infrastructure, lack of caregiver support, or fear of social rejection.
Individuals who suffer from a severe impairment may be unable to leave their homes and join the general population due to a lack of resources. Due to a lack of infrastructure, many more people are confined to their homes and live solitary lifestyles. Societal stigmatization of persons with specific impairments is widespread because of misconceptions regarding disability. Prolonged social isolation worsens mental health and makes recovery more challenging. Disabilities can cause severe discomfort and need regular medical care. Many people who have unpleasant medical procedures may develop post-traumatic stress disorder as a result. When someone is hospitalized for an extended time, they may lose connection with friends and family. People tend to prioritize bodily comfort and pain alleviation above mental wellness.
People with disabilities, especially those whose impairments limit their ability to express themselves, often have a reduced chance of receiving assistance. Disabled people, even those with no trouble communicating, often have difficulty getting others to understand that they need help. They would instead continue to be psychologically affected by their mental health disorder. Having both a mental health disorder and a handicap may be very stigmatizing, even to the point of social isolation.
Raising Awareness About Disabled People
Multicultural competency in counseling is achieving desirable therapeutic results while working with clients from different cultural backgrounds. Professional counselors assessing their values and experiences might be a good starting point for developing intercultural competence (Ratts et al., 2016). The counselor’s ability to effectively advise the wide range of persons they will encounter may be achieved by taking steps toward uncovering and challenging their implicit cultural preconceptions. Once counselors have a firm grasp on their cultural foundation, they may expand their attention to the varying worldviews of their clients.
Psychology plays a role in creating awareness and enhancing the mental health of disabled people. Psychologists should reflect on their attitudes and feelings toward people with different impairments to combat discriminatory practices (American Psychological Association, 2022). Training, mentorship, research, and expert advice are all ways in which they might improve their ability to assist individuals with disabilities in the workplace. The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by federal and state legislation, which psychologists should understand. When it comes to clients with impairments, psychologists should make every effort to ensure that the physical and communicative barriers to receiving psychological therapy are removed. Psychologists try to be inclusive in their terminology and treatment of those with impairments. Mental health psychologists need to investigate the multitude of variables influencing how people with disabilities are seen and treated at various ages. They should make an effort to understand the advantages and disadvantages that disabled people’s families face. Adhering to the above guidelines will make psychologists handle the disabled with care and raise awareness of protecting disabled rights.
The media can be vital in raising awareness regarding people with disabilities. Media representations and narratives influence public opinion and establish cultural norms (United Nations, 2019). I would advocate for the mass media to portray the disabled in a manner that is per human rights. Disabled people are underrepresented in the media; if they are, they are frequently portrayed inaccurately and stereotypically. Often, people with disabilities are portrayed as victims needing sympathy, generosity, or medical care. They are rarely portrayed as heroes whose achievements might inspire the non-disabled.
I would advocate educating the public and fighting the prejudice the disabled face. As such, the media has the potential to be a driving force in dispelling harmful stereotypes and presenting people with disabilities as unique individuals who contribute to the rich tapestry of the human variety (United Nations, 2019). The media can actively contribute to the practical and successful integration of people with disabilities into all parts of society by raising knowledge and awareness of disability problems and the variety of people with disabilities and their circumstances. Media should be mandated to promote awareness and fight stereotypes linked to persons with disabilities. It should represent people with disabilities in a way compatible with protecting human rights.
I would encourage the use of the members of the public and officials to enhance awareness of the disabled during events. Public meetings and other international organizations’ celebrations may be ideal for raising awareness and doing outreach to promote the disability viewpoint and bring attention to the issues of disabled people. Corporate training on disability awareness and associated sensitivity might be held in tandem with such occasions or integrated into routine practices (United Nations, 2019). Public officials, high-ranking government officials, and prominent celebrities may all do their part to influence how society sees people with disabilities and bring attention to their issues. Disabilities present many challenges, and it is essential to educate the public on all of them. Disabled peoples’ needs must be included when planning resource allocation. I recommend that videos be played with closed captions so that viewers with hearing loss may follow along. Adjustable height tables are a building code requirement for the convenience of those using wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
Actions I Have Taken to Advocate for the Disabled Rights
I have been working to change people’s minds about disabled people by making them more aware of their challenges. Additionally, I have been aiming to ensure that the disabled attain the value of acknowledging their abilities, needs, and rights. Insight into how one’s actions might affect change in a slow-moving process is crucial. I am working to change people’s perceptions about disabled individuals and the structure of society as a whole. Disabled people experience social isolation even within their own families. I have tried to meet the disabled and highlight their accomplishments and abilities. In turn, this boosts their confidence, which ultimately causes them to alter their perspective. A community’s members’ knowledge, acceptance, and respect level may significantly impact public involvement and equality toward the disabled.
Anti-discrimination legislation is only one of several programs in which I participated. Planning strategies and resources for the disabled is a significant part of these policies I advocate. It requires passionate and driven individuals to join in these initiatives and support necessary legislative reform. I have participated in campaigns to aid others in running peaceful campaigns. Campaigns for changes in laws, regulations, and services may benefit from awareness-raising, demonstration, and influencing legislative members through briefing letters and personal contact.
With the help of parents and other community members, I plan to organize discussion groups. Key topics that affect the lives of disabled students will be discussed, such as communication, attitudes, misconceptions, degrees of inclusion, and techniques for increasing recognition among all individuals. I want to create an informative program on the disabled that may be delivered at various gatherings attended by people in the local community. These efforts will help create awareness and reduce the stigmatization the disabled face. I want to organize a training session to educate the general public and business owners on how to best support employees who happen to have impairments. Some of the people who attend this program may feel inspired to become mentors after that, and they may put their newfound skills to use helping others with disabilities.
Awareness and tolerance may be spread further when I act as a role model. I want to schedule meetings with area businesses and community groups to understand better how to connect with persons with impairments. Using a communication board, I will show you how simple and pleasurable it is to have a conversation with an employee who has an intellectual disability or how to make the necessary adjustments for such an employee. The community members will have greater confidence in their abilities after I have these interactions with them.
Disability Mentoring Day is an event I will be co-hosting with other groups. Disabled people are encouraged to participate in workplace training, networking events, and continuous mentorship as part of this celebration. It is traditionally observed on the third Wednesday of October; however, it may be held whenever is most convenient for the company (FEMA, 2019). By taking advantage of this simple opportunity, I will be able to network with top talent while also giving young disabled individuals access to meaningful work experience. I would want to put up posters in the workplace that encourage people to be welcoming to those with disabilities. Employees who are often informed that the company accepts people with disabilities in the organization may be more inclined to recommend the Human Resources department to their disabled acquaintances looking for work. Additionally, people with impairments will see themselves as group members.
Conclusion
People living with difficulties have endured many challenges in history, such as killings, exclusion, and stigmatization, that their condition is God’s punishment. They still face many challenges in modern society, such as improper access to health. These challenges make them suffer from psychological problems, which could easily predispose them to suicide. The disabled deserve psychological support and should be made acceptable and important in society.
References
American Psychological Association. (2022). Guidelines for assessment of and intervention with persons with disabilities. 1–61. Web.
Bengtsson, S. (2018). The nation’s body: Disability and deviance in the writings of Adolf Hitler. Disability & Society, 33(3), 416–432. Web.
FEMA. (2019). Disability Mentoring Day |. Web.
Marini, I., Glover-Graf, N. M., & Millington, M. J. (2018). Psychosocial aspects of disability: Insider perspectives and strategies for counselors. Springer Publishing Company, Llc.
Ratts, M. J., Singh, A. A., Butler, K. S., Nassar-McMillan, S., & McCullough, J. R. (2016). Multicultural and social justice counseling competencies: Practical applications in counseling. Counseling Today: A Publication of the American Counseling Association. Web.
United Nations. (2019). Disability and the media: Promoting an accurate image and enhancing the voice of persons with disabilities in the media. Web.
World Health Organization. (2021). Disability and health. Web.