Disability Myths and Facts

Myth: People with disabilities are handicapped.

Fact: The terms "disabled" and handicapped" are often used interchangeably.  In fact, the latter term carries negative connotations, indicating that a disability prevents someone from being a full functioning member of society. A disability does not always present a handicap; rather it often means that a person with a disability may do something a little differently from a nondisabled person, but with the same result and with equal participation.

Myth: Individuals with disabilities need to be protected from failing

 Fact: People with disabilities have a right to participate in the full range of human experiences-- including success and failure.  Employers and educators hould have the same expectations of, and work requirements for, all employees and students.

Myth: Disability is a constantly frustrating tragedy. People with disabilities are courageous, brave, and inspirational by being able to overcome their disabilities.

Fact: Disability is an inconvenience. Most people with disabilities do not sit around and ponder their disability all the time.  They simply carry on their lives as normally as they can.  Individuals with disabilities cannot be stereotyped any more than can other minority groups.  Each person is an individual personality and, as such, each person with a disability will deal with his or her disability differently.

Myth: Nondisabled people are disgusted by disability.

Fact: Because our society places such importance on youth and beauty, many nondisabled people have mixed emotions when they meet someone who is "different."  What may be interpreted as disgust may actually be feelings of guilt, curiosity, fear, or sympathy.  A nondisabled person who fears saying the "wrong" thing to a person with a disability may avoid communication.  A person with a disability may think he/she is being shunned because of his or her appearance.  This discomfort can be helped if persons with disabilities and nondisabled people see and interact with each other more often in work and social settings.

Myth: Individuals who experience disabilities lead totally different lives than others.

Fact: Disability cuts through all segments of society. People with disabilities come from backgrounds. It is impossible to neatly seperate the two groups.  People with disabilities go to work, pay taxes, go out to dinner, go shopping, raise families, etc.