Ableism
Ableism:
The sources of ableism have lived throughout a long misunderstanding of the body and it's functions. When humans did not have a formal understanding of medical knowlegde many religious groups assigned others reasons, but it's vital that we understand and take time to learn about these medical conditions. This has caused the murder, abuse, and torment of people with disabilities over the course of human existance. There has never been humanity without the disabled existing with in our community, yet they are often silenced in our history. The pharmaceutical world also is known for being based on profit and exploiting money from people with chronic illness or disabilities.
Ableism can also go unseen in our daily interactions with others. You may never even notice someone's disability or difference until they allow you the knowledge. Thats why when we approach accessibility the idea is that it serves all the people to make life easier. Making a place or work area accessible serves the entire group not just those who are differently abled. Ableism is another social system that has allowed power to be taken from people with disabilites and discriminate against them.
No one is responsible for explaining to you or anyone else as to why or how they are disabled. Respectfully asking about accessibility you can attempt to provide is completely appreciated, but no one is obligated to accept. There are plenty of people who suffer from physical disabilities that may or may not use assistive devices and other ways of managing their own differences.
Age of a person is never a source of expected or inability to be disabled. We know that any person, at any age can become disabled. We also know that we can't see or notice a larger portion of people with disabilities. Plenty of people face chronic illness or disability when they are younger, this affects them and their friends/family life-long. Maintaining a daily lifestyle while facing chronic illness or disability is difficult and people of all ages face this issue.
Different ways Disabilities or Differences can be experienced:
Please note that these types of disabilities can be experienced together, at the different times, or even be sourced form the same condition.
Learning Differences/ Disabilities
Learning Differences refers to the ways that the brain can function differently during childhood and adulthood due to the surroundings our society provides. These differences can be neurological conditions, language barriers (ASL, Braille, etc.), and other differences. It is vital that we remain aware of the ability these individuals have, and the accessibility we don't provide to allow them to do so. Many differences or disabilities have been referred to in the past in degrading and horrendous ways.
This makes it our responsibility to allow these individuals an accessible environment to thrive in when it comes to work, social places, etc.
Mobile Disabilities
Mobile disabilities are a likely more noticable to people who are able-bodied. However, mobile disabilities can be contracted at any age for a long list of reasons. All of us at any time may face a disability, in which we would face inaccessibility due to the constriction of disabilities out of the public in the past.
A majority of our cities and public areas are still not updated to be accessible for all.
It is never our place to judge or discuss someone elses modes of assistance, as daily needs may change.
Age is never a constraint on the physical disabilities someone may have.
Functional Disabilities
This refers to a type of disability that affect a person in such a way that functioning in their daily life has become hindered in any way. Many times this can occur from a life event; where one type of lifestyle was accessible at some point, and now that accessibility has changed. This can be caused by a disease, physical accident, mental health, or condition worsening over time. This kind of disability is often overlooked, due to the ways that loss of lifestyle and daily actions can be overlooked by medical staff.
Functional disabilities can affect anyone in anyway and it's never our place to intervene unless someone is seeking help or you ask to help first and they agree.
Assistive Devices and who uses them?
Not everyone chooses to use assistive devices, but when they do they often cost a lot of money even with medical insurance. It's important that we keep our minds open to other's experiences instead of assuming what we would do given the situation.
Non-Ambulatory users
Ambulatory is a word we use to distinguish the ways in which you may see or experience others using an assistive device like a wheelchair or walking assistive device.
Non-Ambulatory individuals are those who may use these methods of assistive movement for the inability to walk and move on their own (without such devices).
This also means that when non-ambulatory people are in a position where their assistive device may be damaged, they are put into a position where they could lose their freedom and safety. We should always use our voices to stand up for those around us who are treated with carelessness when in need of assistance.
Everyone's experience is going to be different and the kinds of devices they choose to help may vary. None of these decisions change the ways in which our world is inaccessible and dangerous for those who are not able-bodied.
Ambulatory users
Ambulatory means that someone is physically able, during certain times, to walk and be mobile on their own; however, their need for wheelchairs or assistive devices is not affected by this fact.
When we see ambulatory individuals who also use assistive devices, it's important to act the same way you would someone who needs their assistive device to function at all. This means that recognizing the need for keeping the assistive device safe from damage.
Many ambulatory assistive device users are those who are trying to avoid serious injury, further worsening of their condition, or to provide intermitant support during times of need. It is not our place to question or degrade someone on their use of both ambulatory walking or movement and movement assisted by a device.
Everyone's use of their assistive devices may be different, and its okay that this occurs.
Certified Service Animals
Service animals come in all shapes and sizes.
When present with someone who has a Service Animal, it is Not Appropriate to:
Ask them why they have a service animal?
Talk about need or requirements for service animals.
Touch their service animal without their distinct permission or request.
Engage their animal in anyway, even if this means redirecting children.
When present with someone who has a Servce Animal, it is Appropriate to:
Explain to younger children (if they are with you) as to why that animal's job is important and we have to give them the space to do their job. (Make it an awesome learning moment!)
Stand up and Speak up if service animal (and their owner's) rights are being violated by others.
Ask the service animal's name if you have been given the opportunity to interact with the owner.
When you believe or know there is any emergency due to an Alert from a Service Dog:
(At any point you are no longer needed, remove yourself and don't openly discuss about the event. Call 911 immediately or ask for assistance from bystanders to call 911.)
Immediately assess the owner for injury, unconsciousness, seizure, pulse, breath sounds.
Alert management of the establishment.
Politely ask the people near by to clear the area for some more personal space.
If the owner is unconscious or unable, find the name of the service animal and talk to them about how things are okay.
You can reassure the service animal and assist professionals as needed.
(If you are in a place where help is taking a little more time) Stay with the person and Service Animal, until help arrives, & ask if anyone around you can provide professional medical help.
If a person is unconscious please elevate their head/chest and make sure their air way is open.
Remind yourself that this may seem traumatic or sudden to you, but their service animal may be providing them with this support regularly. It is not our place to make more or less out of a situation that is not ours.
Sensory Assistive Devices:
Choosing the proper treatment is a very personal decision when it comes to the senses. We know that some of these assistive devices can be expensive and unattainable.
Hearing Assistive Devices
ASL & _SL, Hearing Aids, Interpreters, Cochlear Implants, etc.
Not all people will choose the same thing for their experience with hearing loss.
Making sure you are always speaking at a easily listening tone, while intentinally making your point. If you are able to learn ASL from people who are deaf or CODAs then you should do so!
CODA: Child of a Deaf Person
Sight Assistive
Devices
Glasses, Virtual Reading-Assistance, Canes, etc.
Sight can be affected in several different ways. Whether you are effected partially or fully you may choose any type of treatment that best works for you.
There are work environment changes that can make sight impairment a core accessibility goal of the workplace.