Good Example Of Disabilities Essay

Disability remains one of the most pertinent topics that have generated varied interpretations across various settings all around the globe. While much has been hypothesized regarding disability, it is of the essence to note that disability exists in different forms. The documentary film that I watched in class was such a crucial eye opener for me and the whole class on the issue of disability. Precisely, the documentary shed light on a wider array of matters aligned with disability. More importantly, the documentary led me to realize that disability is not only a concern for the United States citizens, but it affects various populations all around the globe. As such, disability is a cross-cutting issue that affects almost all the nations. Disability occurs in various forms, whereby physical disability exists in cases whereby an individual may experience troubles moving, getting dressed, hearing, seeing, and carrying out daily activities. On another note, disability may be psychological whereby an individual may experience learning disabilities such as the case of dyslexia.
The current documentary film showcases the manner in which persons with disabilities are faced with a number of challenges that make their life unbearable. In some cases, especially in the less developed countries where there are minimal resources, persons with disabilities are treated as outcasts; hence, lack access to basic amenities that would make their life easier. According to persons and organizations advocating for the needs of the disabled persons, labelling disabled people as “disabled” or “handicapped” stigmatizes them; thus, causing further injury to their lives. While it is true that persons with disabilities are disabled, there is a need to use terms that are friendly and do not stigmatize them. As an example, disabled persons may be referred and “differently-abled.” Such a term does not discriminate or stigmatise such persons.
Apart from the challenges caused by their disability, the documentary film that was showcased in class focuses on other challenges that the disabled people face. One of the pertinent challenges experienced by the disabled persons is the lack of equal employment opportunities. A significant proportion of employers are often reluctant in employing persons with disabilities. This poses more jeopardy on the disabled persons in that it makes it hard for them to earn livelihood sustaining jobs. In fact, this often forces the disabled persons to become solely dependent on their care givers. Another crucial concept that the current documentary film focuses on is the fact that most of the disabled persons are the elderly. However, there are cases of children and young persons who are disabled.
A reflection on the course reading in the field of communication indicates that communicating with disabled persons calls for a differential approach. Communication is an important aspect when dealing with disabled persons. Similar to “normal” individuals, disabled persons need access to information. Communicating with disabled person’s calls for adequate and appropriate means of communication. As shown in the documentary film, disability is not only limited to persons on wheelchairs. Instead, disability includes the deaf, those who cannot speak, as well as the blind. Therefore, different communications skills are needed when dealing with individuals with varying communication skills. On another note, persons with disabilities are often given various interventions aimed at teaching them on how to cope with their disabilities. Teaching of such interventions does not occur in isolation nor spontaneously but calls for the use of specific communication skills. This analysis depicts the essence of communication in the context of disability.