by Sin Ying Currently in Taiwan, discrimination against people with disabilities (PWDs) is frowned upon and considered as socially unacceptable. However, it seems that many have failed to recognize that the seeds of prejudice may have been planted when they were young and have unknowingly flourished over the years Acknowledging the existence of discrimination
Discrimination can appear in many different forms apart from outright expressions of disdain and disrespect. For starters, discrimination can be manifest in the form of physical environment. Ideally speaking, everyone should have the right to have access to public transportation. What does it mean when only certain modes of transportation are wheelchair-friendly? For instance, the MRT stations in Taipei have facilities such as elevators and ramps to accommodate people with walking issues. However, it is puzzling that most public buses continue to remain inaccessible. This is a clear example of the privileges that able-bodied people possess and which are viewed as the norm. Yet to others, these are privileges that they will not be able to enjoy until a day comes when their needs are finally taken into account. Looking at NTU’s physical environment, some buildings are not equipped with ramps and elevators. What is the point of building a toilet meant for disabled people when they have to struggle just to get into the building? A change in perspective At first glance, it seems easy to identify the disability in a person. For instance, when people see a person with no legs, they immediately assume that that person’s disability lies in his lack of legs. It is clear that the person is unable to move around without a wheelchair or some other assistive devices. However, is it not contradictory when we say that a person who needs glasses for clear vision is not ‘disabled’? Why do we choose not to label a person with glasses disabled as well? A person who needs glasses to function properly in everyday life has a visual impairment and a medical condition called myopia, yet we choose to put him in a different category from persons with disabilities. This is where the social model of disability comes in. The social model focuses on how disability is viewed as a lack of accommodation to the needs of the minority who are disabled. This is seen by how buildings are designed to meet the needs of the majority of people who are not disabled. The only thing that is disabling is the environment and our social attitudes. Medically speaking, a short-sighted person is disabled, yet our environment allows him to be seen as normal. To a certain extent, every one of us has been disabled at least once in our lives, when we have hurt ourselves, fallen ill, or have lost certain motor and cognitive functions when our heads turn grey. So why do we label a person who needs assistive walking aids as ‘crippled’, even though a physical environment designed to be inclusive and accommodating to such disabilities could easily allow his wheelchair to take him wherever he wants to go? The definition of a ‘normal’ person is merely a social construct, a concept that is created by society. In a world where the majority were deaf and were speakers of sign language, a hearing-impaired person would be seen as normal rather than disabled. In the world we live in, the hearing community makes up the majority. Some people believe that sign language is not a proper language that possesses grammar and rules, but contrary to popular belief, sign language allows people to express abstract concepts as well. Fortunately, in recent years, there is a growing acceptance towards speakers of sign language. There is definitely a need for inclusion, as mere tolerance is inadequate. PWDs have the right to be treated as valued members of society, just like any of us. Physical environment plays a vital role in making PWDs feel more included. We can help to advocate for the reduction or elimination of physical barriers that PWDs experience on a day-to-day basis. If what you are thinking right now falls along the lines of ‘it doesn’t affect me anyway’, remember your privilege as an able-bodied person. Remember that at a certain point in life you, too, cannot escape having some form of disability. Remember that you have a voice, a voice to speak up for those who face discrimination every day of their lives. a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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