In the US, 61 million adults live with disabilities. That makes 26 percent of adults or 1 in 4. Despite the number of people who live with a disability, there are still lots of myths out there about disabilities in general.
What do you know about people with disabilities? Are you sure you have not fallen prey to a misconception? Let us look closer at some common disability myths that need debunking.
Disability Myths: All Wheelchair Users Are Sick
People use wheelchairs for many reasons. A wheelchair does not mean that the person is sick or that they cannot move or even stand. After medical procedures, people may require the use of a wheelchair while they recover, while others may have used their wheelchairs from birth.
A wheelchair does not mean a chronic illness and it also does not mean the person is bound to their wheelchair. Like a bicycle or a car, a wheelchair is a device that lets someone move around. The best wheelchairs offer the kind of freedom someone with a disability needs.
Parking in Handicap Spaces Is Fine for Everyone
Handicap spaces are designed to make it easier for people with disabilities to go where they need to. If you do not have a disability, you must avoid parking in handicap spaces.
Most of these parking spaces have easy access to ramps made for wheelchairs and parking there if you do not have a handicap can make someone who does have to travel farther. Businesses spend a lot of money on making their locations accessible, so you do not want to thwart their efforts.
You can read about the average wheelchair ramp cost and the process of installing one to get a sense of the work it takes to make a location accessible for everyone.
Disabilities Make Normal Life Impossible
This is a pervasive myth. People with disabilities lead the same lives anyone else does. They go to school, get married, have children, and have successful careers.
The way they may do these things can look different to an able-bodied person, but it does not mean it is not normal or that it is not a happy one.
With all of the advances in technology and the progress we have made on social issues, people with disabilities are leading a fuller life than ever before.
Disabled People Always Need Monitoring
People with disabilities love their independence, just like everyone else. Able-bodied people can offer assistance, but in most cases, constant monitoring is not required.
With wheelchair ramps, devices for the hearing impaired, and a myriad of other tools available, someone with a disability can have the same freedom anyone has.
Debunk Prejudices
By knowing more about what someone with a disability goes through, you can become an ally in ensuring their voices are heard.
To learn more about disabilities myths or about the medical industry, turn to our Health section!
