Disabled Lives Matter

Don’t Count Them Out

Jack Stout

Spring 2019 ENGL 1050

Author’s Note
As I thought deeply about what my next topic might be, I pondered on a subject that has been
brought up to me several times recently. The topic was about disabled individuals and whether or
not their disability makes it harder for them to get jobs, complete school, and live normal lives
the way they want to. After pursuing this further, I have found that the issues surrounding
disabled individuals in the United States are real and effecting many individuals daily. My hope
is that learning more about this will help everyone be on the lookout to help those who are
disabled have a fair shot at the jobs they want, and the educations they deserve.

Diversity Essay #2

For most, the dream of getting through grade school, graduating, and getting their first

job is something that comes as more of just a second thought. You could say that it just comes

easily to most, or that they are favored when it comes to these types of things. What most don’t

understand, however, is that the position for someone who was born disabled is very different

from that. Often times these individuals are some of the most gifted individuals, but for some

reason or another they are forced lower in the ranks because of misconceptions about disabled

individuals. Some questions arise when exploring an issue like this. Why are they overlooked for

jobs that could potentially harness all of their extraordinary talents? Where did these

misconceptions stem from? How can we remedy these misconceptions and give disabled

individuals a better shot at getting the career they want?

Disabled people face so many cases of injustice and inequality everywhere throughout

the world. A common problem, which plagues nearly 600 Million Disabled individuals. (Peters,

2008) It starts early in their lives and as Founder of Project Ascent, a community and family
outreach program which specializes in helping families with disabled children states: “The

single greatest ideological threat to the disabled community is the perception that they are not of

value to society. People living with disabilities are fighting an insurmountable battle to etch a

place for themselves, within a society that perceives them as inferior.” (Ojewumi, 2012) From

early years of schooling they are separated and not given the same treatment as other children in

the school. For some students, mental disabilities are not the challenge, and yet they are

segregated from the other children where they receive other lessons, special attention, and are

treated differently.

For many students, separated from their should-be classmates they crave nothing more

than to be part of the normal crowd. Many school boards are taking the initiative to change this

segregation by removing the special education programs from many of the public schools. Their

findings are increasingly interesting because they are finding that many students, even those with

disabilities, are proving to be better students, and better behaved, when surrounded by other

students who were not part of the special education program initially. Mike Krings, a University

of Kansas Professor, who has made major headway with the issues facing disabled children in

Kansas Schools States “viewing special education as a way to examine the disabilities of an

individual student and react to them is an outdated idea.” (Kring, 2015)

With all of the issues facing the Disabled Students it is easy to see why the segregation

and mistreatment of our disabled students could cause them to drop out of school and not

continue pursuing an education. A recent study completed of the 2017-2018 school year was just

published late in January by the Disability Scoop News Team showing the graduation rate has

now risen to 67.1%. (Heansley, 2019) This statistic is much higher than the National Graduation

Average of just 38%. The dynamic changes, however, when disabled students move on to
college. Of the 67.1% that graduate High School only 80% enroll in College, and only 40% will

eventually graduate with a degree. (Resmovits, 2014)

After graduating college, or at the appropriate age, disabled individuals seem to have

difficulties being hired for jobs. The current unemployment rate for disabled individuals is

nearing the 50% mark, which “doesn’t reflect their desire to work.” (Maynard, 2011) Most

disabled individuals have a strong desire to work and give back to the world, but are often unable

to do so because of certain stigma’s that surround them.

An article worth sharing is the example of Mossharraf Hossein who was diagnosed with

Polio at the age of 3. An inspiring individual, he recounts the numerous times throughout his life

where he was looked down upon for his disability. From not being able to study his desired field

of study because people deemed him as unable to do the practical side of the job, to being able to

find a job he says that it is a struggle when the world looks down on you because of something

you cannot change. “I was forced to rely heavily on my childhood when my parents instilled in

us self-confidence and self-worth. It created an unshakeable knowledge within me that I had

something to offer the world.” He also states that “The participation of disabled people is

required. If they don't play a positive role, then people's perception doesn't change. They should

go to school, get a job, participate in politics – not sit idle. Disabled people have to have strong

advocates, that has a big impact.”

In an effort to remedy the misconceptions and current state of the employment and fair

treatment of disabled individuals many groups have sought out government action to advocate

for the fair treatment of disabled individuals. However, it can’t stop there. The very perception of

disabled people needs to change. They are gifted individuals who deserve the chance to shine.

We never know what they could be capable of until we give them a chance to prove themselves.
The equal treatment, opportunity, and involvement of disabled individuals within our schools

and workplaces will bring new ideas and opportunities to more than just the disabled individuals

themselves.

This subject is like many of the other subjects commonly discussed in the United States.

The equal treatment of all people of differing ethnic backgrounds is the keystone to continued

economical and peaceful progress within the United States. In a sense, it could be said that the

struggle for the equal treatment is similar to the struggle between the social classes within the

United States. There is always something there to divide us, if we let it. The United States

defines class as “The word "class" appended after terms such as "working," "ruling," "lower" and

"upper" is a shorthand way to describe these hierarchical steps, but with generally vague

conceptions of what those terms mean” (Newport, 2017) and the same goes with the treatment of

disabled individuals. A misconception based on our individual opinions creates a big problem for

someone else. The fact is, you can never tell if someone is really wealthy or what “class” they

should belong to, and you can never tell how capable or gifted someone with a disability may be

without really understanding their situation.

Although there have been more strides taking place in other areas, it is time to speak up

for those who everyone, especially those who are disabled. Improvements in public education

such as combining disabled individuals with regular classes will result in a higher priority being

placed on the education of disabled students. With the correct education, and environment

disabled individuals will aim higher for college education, and workplace placement. Let’s

harness all of the gifts and talents of every student, worker, and person regardless of our personal

thoughts on what they can accomplish.

 Works Cited

Gallup, Inc. “What Determines How Americans Perceive Their Social Class?” Gallup.com, 27
Feb. 2017, news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/204497/determines-americans-perceive-
social-class.aspx.

“Graduation Rate For Students With Disabilities Shows Improvement.” Disability Scoop, 30 Jan.
2019, www.disabilityscoop.com/2019/01/30/graduation-rate-shows-improvement/25962/.

Krings, Mike. “It's Time to End Segregation of Special Education Students, Professors Say.”
Phys.org, Phys.org, 11 Feb. 2015, phys.org/news/2015-02-segregation-special-students-
professors.html.

Maynard, Alice. “Disabled People's Ability to Work Isn't about Whether They Can Hold a Pen.”
The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 16 Feb. 2011,
www.theguardian.com/society/joepublic/2011/feb/16/welfare-reform-disabled-people-barriers-
to-work.

Ojewumi, Ola, and Ola Ojewumi. “Reigniting The Disabilities Rights Movement.” HuffPost,
HuffPost, 24 July 2012, www.huffpost.com/entry/disability-america_b_1542839.

Resmovits, Joy, and Joy Resmovits. “These Students Want College Degrees, But They're Getting
Left Behind.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 28 Feb. 2014, www.huffpost.com/entry/students-with-
disabilities-college_n_4869793.