People with disabilities often have to deal with ignorance, fear and stereotyping in the workplace.

It is therefore important that you respect the person and see them beyond their disability and to understand the following about them:

• People living with a disability are people like you and me that just happen to have a disability. Labels are for jars, not people

• People living with a disability should not be discriminated against. In fact, you should not discriminate against anyone.

• Disabilities are not the major barrier for people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives. You and I need to focus on the person’s ability and not their limitations. Disability does not equal handicap.

• People with disabilities do not want pity and do not need to be “saved from their disability or its effects”.

• Oppression experienced by individuals with disabilities often originates from the external or environmental barriers, including negative attitudes towards disabilities.

• Disability does not mean a poor quality of life.

• Often the negative attitudes of society and the lack of accessibility within the community and the workplace are more of a hindrance than the disability itself.

• People with disabilities are not unlike people without disabilities. People get sick on occasion or sometimes have pain. People with disabilities typically do not suffer or experience pain due to their condition.

• People with disabilities are best placed to identify their own needs, make decisions and evaluate services for their needs.

• People with disabilities are not brave, courageous and/or inspirational for living with their disability; the ability to cope with their disability makes them human, not superhuman!

• People with disabilities should not be relegated to passive roles or be expected to accept inferior service.

By Thandeka Phiri, National Training Manager: MISA

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