Reading Response
The article “Disability Etiquette: Beyond Wheelchairs” clearly points out at critical issues that arise when living with people with disabilities. It is a clear introduction that provides an insight into the social life of the handicapped. This article is an overview of how to interact with disabled people, learn their feelings, and thus find possible methods of avoiding conflicts with them. Apart from summarizing the different types of disabilities, it also presents some of the ways of coping with them. Also, it suggests additional sources that one can look at to have a wider understanding.
There are various issues affecting people with disabilities that are discussed in this article and that I would not have known if I did not read it; for example, the issue of asking people with disabilities whether they need help (News & Resources – 1800wheelchair). I have always thought that whenever a disabled person seems to be struggling with something, I should go straight and help them. The article, however, clarifies that people with disabilities feel the same way as people without disabilities; therefore, they demand equal respect (News & Resources – 1800wheelchair). There was also something that I already know such as the use of sign language when communicating with deaf people. I completely agree with the facts provided in this article, for example, concerning blind people. When one is with a blind person, he/she can assume that they are ignorant (Elinson and Yogi 12). However, most of them are highly talented with high intelligence and can master many things on their own.
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One confusing issue concerns cognitive verse developmental disabilities and the impacts of multiethnicity on the disabled (Steinberg 134). It is a bit confusing to differentiate the two, and the article does not clarify the difference between them. I think that the article should have given examples concerning these disabilities so that they can be easily identified. According to this article, it is hard to identify the mentioned disabilities. As a result, I suggest that the author would have given examples as a way of clarification. The issues addressed have been a part of my life experiences, and they ran throughout my mind as I read the article. The concept of mental disabilities is a critical issue today. Most people take too long to realize that someone has such a condition. Some parents are unable to understand whatever is wrong with their children until they reach their adolescent age. There are also some stereotypes concerning the disabilities. Sometimes, developmental disability can be confused with deafness or some mental illness. Due to this, the concept requires more investigation and education concerning possible symptoms of the special need at an early age.
There are some questions arising from the reading, for example, concerning the deaf: how is it possible to communicate with a person with a hearing impairment when there is no interpreter? If there is an interpreter, how does one communicate directly to the visually impaired person without seeming to be communicating to the interpreter? Sometimes, one may hurt the feelings of a visually impaired or deaf person, for instance, when they raise their voices for no apparent reason (Pollock 12). Another important question is the effective techniques to predict the feelings of persons with disability so as to have a better understanding. Lastly, are there major differences between mental disability and mental illness?
In conclusion, this article is very helpful for anyone seeking knowledge about disabilities. The author has effectively addressed the topic in an ethical way that promotes etiquette. It is very efficient as even a disabled person can read it. Everything is written in an understandable and polite language. Despite the new things, the general information in the paper is very educative and precise.