Blogging Against Disablism Day post 2 - the importance of communication in fighting discrimination

I don't think people with disabilities communicate enough with the non disabled.  I'm talking about meaningful conversation that increases understanding on both sides.  I believe strongly that communication is one of the best ways to fight all kinds of prejudice its hard for people to discriminate against someone they know and understand that's why it is important for people with disabilities to be open and honest about their disabilities when people have questions.  It's the only way to increase understanding And I think it definitely decreases  prejudice

Comments

[Mary]

A very good point. We cannot expect people to read our minds.

Although, I do think there is a difference between answering someone's reasonable and sincere questions about disability... and being expected to divulge medical details that, really, are between you and your doctor.

[Ruth]

Communication is a tool- and a skill - that really can be (and I think is) developed by many with disabilities.

One caveat though -none of us can be "on" all the time, however, and I always honor that because, like able bodied folks, we have other things going on in our lives besides dealing with their reactions to our disabilities on any given day.

Happy BADD 2008!

[rudy]

hello Mary
thank you for your comment I really appreciate it

I definitely agree that should be reasonable limits on what people with disabilities are expected to share. I should have pointed that out in the post. Sometimes people will ask really personal questions and while I don't mind answering most personal questions there are reasonable limits of course

[Ann Logsdon]

Excellent point. So many times, parents, teachers, and service providers (me included) focus so much on the disability that we forget about the person. I don't think we intentionally do this, but you've raised important points we all need to keep in mind.