People with disabilities, young, old and in between, all want the same thing: to feel included. A sense of belonging and inclusion is vital for all people around the world, especially those with disabilities. When that sense of belonging is missing in life, it can be very easy to fall into a dark hole and convince yourself that it doesn’t matter. Well, we all matter; regardless of our age, gender or disability.
Society has ingrained in our brains that if we are different, we don’t belong. Society rejects those who are different; they don’t fit the perfect “mold”, so to speak. It is estimated that 48.9 million people in the United States have some type of disability. There are almost 50 million people who deserve to be treated with the same love and support as the rest. Here are 6 ways you can support people with disabilities:
1) Set high and reasonable expectations
Society wants us to believe that people with disabilities need to be pampered continuously and require constant supervision. While all disabilities are different, that is generally not the case. Society continues to set low expectations for people with disabilities, and over time that way of thinking has been adopted by a large majority of people. This also transcends people with disabilities, and they also begin to set low expectations for themselves. One of the best ways to support people with disabilities is to set high, yet normal, expectations. Make them feel like your equal.
2) Get informed
It’s as easy as completing a Google search! You don’t need to take classes or go to the library; all you have to do is type a few words into Google and thousands of articles are at your fingertips. You don’t need to be an expert, just know the basics. Learn a little about the good, the bad, and the ugly about someone with a specific disability.
If you feel comfortable, ask them in person. The internet can only tell you so much. Each disability is unique to you, so if you think the time is right, ask them if they feel comfortable enough to talk about your disability. Ask them what they can and/or cannot do and what they would like to be able to do in the future.
3) Never assume
You know what they say about assuming things. If you think it’s appropriate to ask if someone has a disability, do so, but don’t assume they know. Many disabilities go unrecognized because they can easily fit into the “mold” of society. There is nothing more uncomfortable than assuming someone has a disability when they really don’t.
4) Be a good listener
This could apply to all stages of life, but being a good listener is vital to supporting people with disabilities. People with disabilities are often assumed to be unable or unwilling to interact with others, but this is not always the case (and usually is not). You may need to learn how they communicate and adapt from there, but listening is a very important trait and quality. When you really open up and listen to the other person, they will start to feel included and start to feel important; start feeling loved. These three things are vitally important to living a happy life.
5) Be inclusive and welcoming
Although this is related to the previous point, it is important to keep it in mind. You don’t have to be everyone’s friend and go out of your way to spend time with them. Being inclusive should not be associated with pity. We’re not forcing anyone to become friends, but make sure your friends and acquaintances with disabilities can participate in group activities. If you don’t know if they can do it or not, ask them! Just the simple act of asking questions can make them feel included.
6) Be a good support system
Everyone can thrive when they have a good support system to fall back on. People with disabilities may need support differently than you do, but they need the act of support anyway. Educate yourself and understand what a strong support system can be like. A good support system looks different for people with different disabilities.