Page 9 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine Volume 5, April 2024

OUT AND ABOUT: INCLUSIVENESS
Dismantling the Labyrinth: Towards a Society Inclusive

of People with Disabilities

Aziz
Ahmad Shariff

ndividuals with disabilities (PWDs) embody invisible barriers that exclude PWDs from
resilience, determination, and often everyday activities and essential services. Picture
Iunrecognised potential. However, their paths a wheelchair user unable to enter a government
are frequently obstructed by the barbed wire of building due to the unavailability of a ramp.
prejudice and misconceptions, forming a labyrinth This exclusion impedes their mobility and
of barriers that restrict their full integration into independence and sends a stark message that
society. This article examines the challenges faced their presence and needs are neglected. Similarly,
by PWDs, analyses the detrimental narratives the lack of sign language interpreters or accessible
that perpetuate exclusion, and explores avenues technologies in educational and professional
towards a more inclusive and empowering future. settings creates significant communication
hurdles, impeding their involvement in these

Shattering the Mirrors of Stereotypes areas. Consider a hearing-impaired student who
struggles to follow lectures in the absence of a sign
The maze of stereotypes creates a significant language interpreter. This affects their educational
impediment for PWDs. These preconceived performance and future opportunities. These
notions, often based on misinformation or limited examples highlight how inaccessible environments
exposure, skew perceptions of their abilities can severely disadvantage PWDs and restrict their
and experiences. For example, individuals with full participation in society.
intellectual disabilities are mischaracterised as
childlike or incapable of independent thought,
while those with physical disabilities are seen only
in terms of their limitations. Such stereotypes “
not only strip PWDs of their humanity, but also Consider a talented artist with
perpetuate a self-fulfilling cycle that curtails a physical disability who is
opportunities and reinforces negative biases. consistently denied employment
Consider a young girl with autism who aspires to
be a scientist. Constant exposure to the stereotype opportunities because of his or her
that individuals with autism lack intellectual condition, despite possessing the
capacity can undermine her confidence and necessary skills and qualifications.
discourage her from pursuing her aspirations. This
illustrates how stereotypes can profoundly and This limits their potential and robs
negatively affect the lives of PWDs. the art community and society of
their unique creative expressions.”

Beyond Physical Barriers: Dismantling the Walls of
Inaccessibility Moving Beyond Paternalism: Empowering Choices and
The physical environment often reflects Self-Determination
the convoluted nature of societal attitudes. Paternalism, which often stems from well-
Inaccessible infrastructure, such as buildings, intentioned but misguided assumptions, can be
public transportation, and websites, constructs just as detrimental to individuals with disabilities

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