The Straits Times, April Fool's Day
"I marvel sometimes when I visit families with a son and daughter who has a severe handicap. The parents are living each day, and sometimes the whole day, with little help or times of rest. They are not admired or honoured for what they are doing... And yet, isn't it those families who are living love and truth and humility in a special way?"
- Jean Vanier
This article is a reflection by the author on how our society is becoming more inclusive of disabled people. There are more and more individuals and organizations doing their part by employing those with disabilities. Schools now welcome and work to integrate students with disabilities, and public transport agencies are removing barriers to make it easier for disabled people to move around. As a society, we have been gradually been more accepting of people with disabilities, such that they have more opportunities in life.
I agree with the writer and feel too that the change in the society is very assuring and promises a brighter future. Being more accepting of disabled people is the first step to embracing differences and becoming a less judgmental society. I have noticed how bus drivers leap down from their seats to help disabled people get onto the bus. I have also observed that more parents are bringing their intellectually-disabled children outside despite the risk of being stared at. People are actually trying to involve the handicapped more into our lives, and we have gradually been accepting that. In the past, the handicapped were outcasts, and were ruthlessly mocked at and disparaged. Though there are some people who still have these old-fashioned ideas, however, the tide has been slowly but surely changing. We must abort these ideas that the handicapped are helpless, because they aren't; there are numerous videos on the Internet of handicapped people who can take care of themselves. There was even a girl who had no hands and yet could skilfully sew with her feet. Perhaps in the future, people can treat the disabled as their equals.
I agree with you that the disabled should be embraced by the society, it is not their fault to be disabled and I am sure they wouldn't want to be disabled if they were given a choice. I hope that more people think of them as normal healthy people and not different " freaks ".
ReplyDeleteI am heartened by the fact that disabled people are given more opportunities and prejudice against these disabled people is getting less common in the present society. We should indeed set aside their differences and treat them as equals. It is important for our society as a whole to step up, accept and embrace the disabled. Even though many in the society are starting to include the disabled people, I do believe in the past, many are not naturally inclined to embrace the intellectual-disabled and have the perception that the disabled are incompetent. However, if each individual of us do not continue to marginalize and discriminate the disabled people, and truly embrace them into our society, I believe the society will become a better place.
ReplyDeleteIndeed the disabled are not unable. If we make our society more inclusive, they will be enabled to do more and live a fuller life. It is not easy for many of them to get around certain places without the disabled-friendly amenities. It is good to see that in recent years, there is a greater awareness of these people among us and making provisions for them to participate in the same civic life as the rest of us. Of course, there are still deficiencies and people who are biased against them but we have made some progress in the public sphere to cater to their special needs.
ReplyDeleteIndeed the disabled are not unable. If we make our society more inclusive, they will be enabled to do more and live a fuller life. It is not easy for many of them to get around certain places without the disabled-friendly amenities. It is good to see that in recent years, there is a greater awareness of these people among us and making provisions for them to participate in the same civic life as the rest of us. Of course, there are still deficiencies and people who are biased against them but we have made some progress in the public sphere to cater to their special needs.
ReplyDelete