Disability Rights! Are they enough?

First, I’d like to say that I appreciate what the disability laws have achieved for those who are differently abled or as it has been stated to me, differabled.

I have recently graduated from an accredited university with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services with a concentration in addiction studies and exceptional persons studies. I had the concentration stated this way because I did not like the ‘disability’ label on my degree plan. I had a deep desire to assist those with hearing loss. I have taken 3 courses in American Sign Language (ASL) and 1 course in Deaf culture, plus the Deaf culture I had learned in my ASL classes. I have also learned ASL on and off since the age of nine. I loved to help others who were accepted less than I was because I knew what it was like. I was not accepted in elementary school because I was attending a Catholic school and not Catholic, was hyperactive, and was easily influenced. I had no friends in school until I was in high school, and the school was accepting those with disabilities. My first true friend was in a wheelchair, and we met because she was trying to get to her class, and the kids wouldn’t help her with her backpack and calling her names. I went up to her and asked if there was anything I could do to help and got her to her next class since I knew my teacher would understand why I was late. We were friends for five years, three of which were after I had graduated. The fact that she was in our school was a great success story for those with disabilities in the late 1980s and early 1990s. So much was happening all at once in those days, but I only saw that there was someone I could relate to.

Yet, what has changed for those with differabilities? I still see people going out of their way to be rude and obnoxious to those with differabilities. I had a class project on my first ASL course. We had to go to the store and buy at least five different items from five different departments and had to ask for help at least once and check out all while ‘Deaf.’ While most of the representatives from each department were very respectful, when I was checking out in the check-out line, I heard customers saying they wished I’d taken the self-check-out and asked why I had to hold them up with these hand gestures. I was angry with these ignorant customers and tried hard not to say something to them while in the store. I put the packages in my car once I was out of the store, then I went to the door and waited for the customer who was particularly abusive and said to him that he needs to be educated on what it means to be Deaf. His jaw dropped to the ground in shock that I had heard his comments, and while most Deaf individuals wouldn’t have heard what was happening, I told him that his comments were heard by at least three other customers and could influence them to disrespect the next Deaf individual. Also, during the same class, the professor was out of town during the class and asked a Deaf individual to substitute the class. I was mortified when students would laugh at her accent when she spoke. Yes, she spoke, and I informed the regular instructor what had happened. (I wasn’t the only student to let them know) The professor spoke to the class the following week (it was a once-a-week class), and those who were hurtful to the substitute hung their heads during the professor’s speech.

While it is shameful when people are caught disrespectful towards those with differabilities, the perception is still the same: those who are differabled are less than normal and, therefore, are not worth the time to learn about. I find this disgusting and feel frustrated and angry with this reality. And, yes, it IS reality! I have either seen it, heard it, or experienced it!