May 5 marks the European Day against Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities. This is a good opportunity to think about what I can do to join the fight for equal rights for ALL – the rights to active participation in social, family and professional life.
Disability is a social problem. It is not limited to one person. Making facilities and reducing architectural and other barriers is everyone’s responsibility. The duty we have to those from whom ordinary everyday life requires more effort.
What is disability really?
What does disability mean in practice, in everyday life?
Have you ever thought about it?
Consideration of disability should go beyond dry definitions. Just start by imagining an ordinary day and realizing that for some people, everyday activities that some people perform automatically become a challenge that generates tremendous effort and means a daily struggle.
Perhaps you are a person who has no reason to worry about running out of, say, milk for your morning coffee or fresh bread. After all, you can always make a quick trip out to the nearby store, which is just down the block. Although such a trip will not consume much time and strength – you may still complain. Maybe it’s raining, it’s cold, or you just don’t want to.
Now think about what such situations look like in the life of a person with a disability.
Help. Don’t judge. Understand.
Disability is a social problem. It is not limited to one person. Making facilities and reducing architectural and other barriers is everyone’s responsibility. The duty we have to those from whom ordinary everyday life requires more effort.
What is disability really?
What does disability mean in practice, in everyday life?
Have you ever thought about it?
Consideration of disability should go beyond dry definitions. Just start by imagining an ordinary day and realizing that for some people, everyday activities that some people perform automatically become a challenge that generates tremendous effort and means a daily struggle.
Perhaps you are a person who has no reason to worry about running out of, say, milk for your morning coffee or fresh bread. After all, you can always make a quick trip out to the nearby store, which is just down the block. Although such a trip will not consume much time and strength – you may still complain. Maybe it’s raining, it’s cold, or you just don’t want to.
Now think about what such situations look like in the life of a person with a disability.
Help. Don’t judge. Understand.