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Disability Awareness

October is Disability and Down syndrome Awareness Month. It’s not about celebrating disabilities, it’s about celebrating abilities. We can all learn from each other! The aim of spreading awareness is simple; education. People who don’t have a disability or know anyone who is disabled might not be aware of what it is like to live with a disability or the challenges that can be encountered on a daily basis. By educating people on these challenges it is hoped that positive changes are made.

There are many misconceptions surrounding disabilities. For example, some assume that all disabilities are visible, but that couldn’t be more incorrect. When someone has a disability, it means that a person has a mental or physical impairment that can restrict the ability to participate in everyday activities. Never make assumptions based on those internalized stereotypes or misconceptions. Through disability awareness, the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding those with disabilities can be brought to the forefront. When these are gone, attitudes and behaviors become more positive and impactful.

Sport can help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with disability because it can transforms community attitudes about persons with disabilities by highlighting their skills and reducing the tendency to see the disability instead of the person. Through sport, persons without disabilities interact with persons with disabilities in a positive context forcing them to reshape assumptions about what persons with disabilities can and cannot do.

Sport changes the person with disability in an equally profound way by empowering persons with disabilities to realize their full potential and advocate for changes in society. Through sport, persons with disabilities acquire vital social skills, develop independence, and become empowered to act as agents of change. Sport teaches individuals how to communicate effectively as well as the significance of teamwork and cooperation and respect for others. Sport is also well-suited to reducing dependence and developing greater independence by helping persons with disabilities to become physically and mentally stronger.

5 FACTS ABOUT DISABILITIES

Over 1 billion people have some form of disability.
Over 100 million disabled persons are children.
Only about 9% of disabilities are caused by accidents and 91% of disabilities are caused by illnesses.
1 in 3 disabled people feel there’s a lot of disability prejudice
People with disabilities can live and participate in the community. But more than 40% disabled people do not have assistance for their every day activities