Closing the Gap between Disabled and Nondisabled
The democratic ideals that the United States were built upon are freedom and equality; it is in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and used as a defense when a person can think of nothing snappy to say (i.e. "It's a free country!"). However, while American culture is based on the notion that you have the power and ability to become anyone or achieve anything, it is painfully obvious to people with disabilities that government and the mainstream public has forgotten about their needs. While most nondisabled people do not need to depend on family or government for financial or medical assistance, people with disabilities are often denied jobs and opportunities, forcing them to become dependent on a family member or government assistance. It may be an unconscious factor for those who do not have a disability, to forget that others may need a special menu, table, or space. Simple things like a special bathroom stall or books on tape are on par with a more inclusive American culture, one that can help people with disabilities become more independent and free.
Most of the problems people with disabilities face today stems from language and how they are considered to be separate from those who are able. Not only does this create the basis for oppression and discrimination for those who used to be considered ‘cripples,’ or ‘retards,’ but it also creates can create a confusion over a person’s identity as a person with disabilities. While legislation, corporate policies, and public places may be slowly changing to become more inclusive to those with disabilities, there are still certain aspects of the mainstream US culture that can mean nothing to a member of the...
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...who are able. As the language evolves and the activism becomes more developed and evident in mainstream culture and media, then there will be more and more advances in the future. The days in which Siamese Twins, the Elephant Man, and other people with disabilities who would be considered ‘freaks,’ ‘retarded,’ or ‘crippled’ and be immediately institutionalized or ostracized from people have mostly disappeared, leaving other battles, like the fight for an accessible urban environment, to be fought and won in later years.
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The purpose of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was to protect the civil rights of disabled Americans, as well as put an end to discrimination, and to make adjustments to better accommodate the disabled. When presented to Congress, the Act surpassed party lines and gained support and popularity very quickly. While in theory the ADA seems revolutionary and helpful; in practice it presents the disabled with numerous problems, most of these arise in the form of red tape.
Being a leader you need to be in tune with your talents, strength’s, and weaknesses. Personally I feel I have many skills and talents. I am a great friend, I’m trustworthy and dependable. I can step up to the plate if needed and I can take control of certain situations without being told to. I love writing and being able to express my feelings or thoughts through writing and poetry. Along with my talents and skills I also have weaknesses. Knowing your weaknesses is twice as important as knowing your strengths in my opinion. One weakness of mine is being motivated. Once I start a task I will finish it and put 150% effort into it, but actually starting the task is my problem. Another weakness of mine is change. I have a problem with drastic change; I have a comfort with familiarity. With every leader there is going to be strengths and weaknesses and I think it’s very
The history of the disabled has had treatment that have been unreasonable . In the 1800’s, People with disabilities were forced to enter asylums or institution for their entire lives.
Europe has seen many wars over its vast and broad history, some of which being quite immense and destructive. One such war would undoubtedly be World War One. A war powered by the brainwashing ways of militarism and the stubborn pride of nationalism. Once engaged in a war a country’s militarism will produce fine soldier ready to drop like dominos on the battlefield, while the nationalism works as fuel providing the naive determination to fight the war. This naïve determination and soldier production is why World War One, like every other war, continued with such persistency. But what started World War One? Was it militarism that trained young men since they were kids to become soldiers, nationalism propelling a nations pride forward or was it neither? While both of those aspects could be potential reasons their still not the main pillars of cause. The true reason’s that made World War One inevitable were the intimidating alliances, avaricious imperialism, and tedious tensions.
World War 1 (better known as The Great War), was caused by a great many elements, some long-term, some short-term and the spark. Together these reasons created a brutal war involving many countries across the globe and also killing a vast number of the world’s population. In this essay, I will thoroughly explain what started this war and which reasons made it start sooner.
In the essay “Disability,” Nancy Mairs discusses the lack of media attention for the disabled, writing: “To depict disabled people in the ordinary activities of life is to admit that there is something ordinary about disability itself, that it may enter anyone’s life.” An ordinary person has very little exposure to the disabled, and therefore can only draw conclusions from what is seen in the media. As soon as people can picture the disabled as regular people with a debilitating condition, they can begin to respect them and see to their needs without it seeming like an afterthought or a burden. As Mairs wrote: “The fact is that ours is the only minority you can join involuntarily, without warning, at any time.” Looking at the issue from this angle, it is easy to see that many disabled people were ordinary people prior to some sort of accident. Mairs develops this po...
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