Disability: the inability to see ability

Yoishtaa Umriger

FYBA

We are born as humans but are judged by our appearances, status, caste, religion, gender and abilities.  For instance, if we lack sight, we may have difficulty imagining or visualising things; if we are unable to hear, we may struggle to communicate effectively, and our sign language may appear comical; if we are confined to a wheelchair, we may be deemed incapable of caring for ourselves; if we are without hands, we may find it challenging to earn a livelihood. Able bodied individuals are considered as the standard, and people with impairments are constantly marginalised and treated as the Other. All these seemingly abnormal ways of life are put into a single word "disability". Individuals are impaired if they experience, or are perceived to experience, physiological or behavioural states that are socially considered to be problems, illnesses, biomedical conditions, or just similarly unfavourable circumstances. “Disability” arises when one is subject to discrimination based on these perceived impairments. The term "disability" encompasses various conditions that are considered ‘abnormal’ in society. It is worth noting that it is, at the end of the day, those who hold political and institutional power who get to decide on an acceptable definition of disability. However, there can be no fixed definition of what constitutes ‘disability’, or who is disabled. 

This notion of 'normal' and 'abnormal' has led to the idealisation of the human body, which is associated with the absence of physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities. There are also cultural narratives that patronise people with disabilities in a way that reinforces ableist assumptions. People with disabilities may be portrayed as inspirational figures who display exceptional courage or resilience, and achieve goals that able-bodied people do, or as innocent figures who show pure and authentic forms of human experience. This is how the media is. When the disabled share their progress and achievements, for example being able to walk or talk after a lot of therapy and hard work, it is considered that the disabled person has achieved something that abled people take for granted. This portrays that disabled people are meant to overcome their disability or their limitations to attain standards associated with the ideal body,  and thus become inspirational. This can create unrealistic expectations for people with disabilities, who are expected to be exceptional in order to be valued. Moreover, patronising disability in this way can also lead to the appropriation of disability culture and identity by non-disabled people, who may adopt disability as a form of cultural capital or as a way of performing authenticity or uniqueness. This can further marginalise people with disabilities by erasing their lived experiences and commodifying their identities. 

Emotions, attitudes and cultural narratives associated with the idea of “disability”, or being ‘disabled’ are so negative that people with disabilities actually feel uncomfortable and embarrassed to talk about their experiences. It is not the physical or mental disorder they have which makes them “disabled”, but the difficulty of simply being heard, understood, and respected which makes them so. In sociology, disability is studied as a social issue that is shaped by cultural, historical, and political factors. The social model of disability argues that disability is not a personal medical issue but rather a result of societal barriers and discrimination. This model asserts that individuals with disabilities are excluded from full participation in society due to inaccessible environments,  physical, attitudinal, and institutional barriers. Research in sociology has shown that people with disabilities are often subjected to prejudice and discrimination, which can result in reduced opportunities for education, employment, and social interaction. The intersection of disability with other forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism, can further exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

The world is built, and functions with able-bodied people at the centre, while people with disabilities are constantly marginalised and pushed to the periphery. Physical spaces are often constructed as if everybody can do what the “normal”, able-bodied person can do. In most places, there are no ramps or elevators, accessible washrooms, or parking spaces. Theatres lack closed captioning specs for the deaf and hard of hearing. Most web content is inaccessible, and written materials are not available in braille or audio formats. A lot of people hold negative attitudes or stereotypes toward people with disabilities, which can result in discrimination, exclusion, and limited opportunities, as well as assumptions such as people with disabilities are unable to participate in certain activities or that they need to be cared for rather than treated as equals. Capitalist ideals with able bodied people at the centre add to the discrimination experienced by people with disabilities. Transportation barriers exist due to inaccessible public transportation or lack of affordable as well as accessible transportation options. People with disabilities are also often excluded from social events or activities due to lack of accommodations, lack of accessible seating or restrooms at public events, or playgrounds without accessible equipment. Inaccessibility and barriers for people with disabilities can have a wide range of consequences, both for individuals and society as a whole. The entire physical and social arrangement of life, including architecture, presupposes that we are either completely physically fit, or totally incapacitated and unable to engage in life. When people with disabilities are unable to access buildings, public spaces, and transportation systems, they can become socially excluded from their communities. This can lead to lower income and reduced quality of life. 

Many people make false and damaging assumptions about people with disabilities, such as that their disability defines their identity, they are always in pain, are lazy, and need to be treated differently. It is also wrong to assume that all ‘disabled’ people are the same, cannot make their own decisions, cannot lead a full life, and deserve pity. In reality, these assumptions are unfounded and prejudiced. People with disabilities are constantly stereotyped as less capable or less intelligent, leading to discrimination or being underestimated: facing bullying, harassment, or even violence from others who perceive them as weak or vulnerable. We are treated with excessive pity or overprotection instead of consideration, which can be limiting and disempowering. As a result of such discrimination, people with disabilities might devalue their rights and worth and believe themselves incapable of accomplishing anything. The disabled can also do a lot of things that others cannot. They just need accessibility and it is time we realise that and make a change. Yes, they can roll in their wheelchair independently, they can pick up after themselves, they can take care of themselves, they can own businesses and houses, they can paint amazingly with their mouth, they can drive cars perfectly with their legs, yes, they can! 

As a rubella baby, my physical condition is characterised by a range of disabilities. I was born with cataracts in both my eyes, deafness in both my ears, a cleft palate and PDA (Post Ductus Arteriosus). From the age of two and a half months till 2 years I underwent surgeries for the same, also undergoing different therapies like OT (Occupational Therapy), speech therapy etc. As I stand before you today, I have profound deafness in my left ear, minimal loss in my right ear in which I wear a hearing aid. My speech is unclear. I am totally blind in my right eye due to glaucoma and my left eye has very poor vision and I am still waiting to undergo surgery for high pressure in my right eye. Unfortunately, I have been subjected to teasing on account of my disabilities, particularly due to my blue-blind eye and distorted speech. While I do not attribute blame to the children who teased me, it is essential to acknowledge the role that societal perceptions of disability and a lack of education can play in perpetuating such discrimination. I believe that nobody should have to endure discrimination or unequal treatment, regardless of their circumstances. It is vital to educate individuals about disability, starting at the earliest stages of formal education, to foster awareness and develop a compassionate approach towards those living with disabilities.

We should learn that we are all unique in our own ways. Disabilities are just abilities that give you different opportunities, different perspectives, different experiences, a different way of life that should be experienced and lived to the fullest. This shows us how important it is to have our own right and positive thoughts and perspectives because if we don't we will drown in the negative thoughts and ways coming from everywhere in life. We should think beyond what we see and hear around us. The only disability that we can have in life is a narrow-minded mentality that destroys us and refrains us from doing anything or having any bright visions in life.

References

Bolt, D. (2005). From blindness to visual impairment: Terminological typology and the social model of disability. Disability & Society, 20(5), 539–552. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687590500156246 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, September 16). Disability and health disability barriers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-barriers.html#:~:text=Stigma%2C%20prejudice%2C%20and%20discrimination%3A,to%20behave%20as%20expected%20in 

Clifford, E. (2021, November 18). Disability politics are Anticapitalist Politics. Novara Media. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://novaramedia.com/2021/11/18/disability-politics-are-anticapitalist-politics/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20social%20model,our%20lives%20as%20worth%20less 

Wendell, S. (1989). Toward a feminist theory of disability. Hypatia, 4(2), 104–124. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1527-2001.1989.tb00576.x 

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Disability. World Health Organization. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health#:~:text=Health%20inequities%20arise%20from%20unfair,in%20the%20health%20system%20itself