|
| Myth |
People with disabilities are fragile and
unhealthy. |
| Fact |
They must maintain a high level of
health like everyone else. Their real concern relates to citizenship
responsibility and the dignity that comes from exercising their
rights. |
|
|
| Myth |
Persons with disabilities are
emotionally fragile and need protection from the harsh realities of
life. |
| Fact |
Persons with disabilities are constantly
adjusting, on a daily basis to difficulties that most people face
only in a crisis. The point is - they make the adjustments. |
|
|
| Myth |
People with disabilities are
intrinsically different from the ‘normal’ population. |
| Fact |
What is normal? People with disabilities
think, feel, and act along the same lines as other people. |
|
|
| Myth |
Persons with disabilities are exemplary
human beings who always show marvellous strength of character. They
are heroic and paragons of virtue. |
| Fact |
Maybe so, but generalisations are
dangerous. They are not all Beethovens, Rick Hansens or Stephen
Hawkings. They’re just people. |
|
|
| Myth |
Persons with disabilities are taken care
of quite comfortably by government social services. |
| Fact |
The majority of people with disabilities
live on fixed incomes that are well below poverty lines. Their
lifestyles are minimalistic, defined by a constant struggle to just
make ends meet. The idea of being cared for adds insult to injury. |
|
|
| Myth |
People with disabilities have acquired
the same access to the job market as every one else. |
| Fact |
Employment equity programs have been
successful for only a fraction of people with disabilities. The
majority is still under unemployed, under-employed and almost
invariably under paid. |
|
|
| Myth |
People with disabilities are all well
educated. |
| Fact |
People with disabilities experience a
shortfall in education. In fact, literacy is still a critical issue
to employability. |
|
|
