Disability Awareness

Disability Viewed

NegativelyDevalued Roles and Negative Images (Wolfensberger, 1972)

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of pity—We should feel bad for or sorry for people with disabilities.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of burden or charity—People with disabilities are seen as helpless or as someone who needs our help.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of menace—People with disabilities as something to be feared; as scary.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of dread—People with disabilities make us anxious; we want to avoid prolonged contact with them.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of ridicule—People with disabilities and their misfortunes or defects as humorous, silly or laughable.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Subhuman—Those with disabilities are less than human; vegetables; animal-like.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Sick—Disability as disease; as pathological; something “wrong”.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Childlike—The view of people with disabilities as eternal children.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Holy Innocent—The notion that people with disabilities have special status or special protection from God, without the capacity to understand or commit evil.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Sexual Deviate—People with disabilities are either sexual perverts or asexual.

Disability Viewed Positively

Affirming Values and Positive Images(Turnbull, 2007)

Disability Viewed Positively

Inherent Strengths—Students and families have many natural capacities. They need great opportunities for educational programs to identify, highlight, and build upon their strengths.

Disability Viewed Positively

Great Expectations—Students have many capabilities that have not been tapped. We can develop new visions of what is possible. These visions can become realities. We need new perspectives of what life can be as well as support for fulfilling these dreams.

Disability Viewed Positively

Relationships—Connections are crucial to quality of life. Students and families need to connect with each other, educators, and friends in the community.

Disability Viewed Positively

Positive Contributions—Individuals with disabilities contribute positively to their families, schools, friends, and communities. We need to develop greater opportunities for these contributions.

Disability Viewed Positively

Full Citizenship—Less able does not mean less worthy. Students with exceptionalities and their families are entitled to full participation in American life.

Disability Viewed Positively

Choices—Students and families can direct their own lives. Enabling them to act on their own preferences promotes their self-determination.