MISPERCEPTIONS ON DISABILITIES


85% percent of our population are ignorant when it comes to any knowledge regarding disabilities.

Visual Disability - Definitions and Terminology

The loss of sight may be total or partial. "Blind" refers to the total loss of eyesight. Blind persons might experience difficulty in moving around and knowing where things are, doing some activities of daily living, writing, reading and following visual signs or commands. The most important enabling mechanisms for people who are blind are (1) independence training (orientation and mobility skills training; (2) literacy training (learning to read and write using Braille), (3) assistive devices such as a white cane, Braille writing tools, specialised computers, (4) personal assistance in the form of guide dogs and/or personal assistants to assist with reading, driving etcetera, and (5) access to reading materials in Braille and/or audio-cassette. "Low vision" or "visual disability" is more accurate for people who have some degree of sight, but who have for example a limited range of sight and focus that cannot easily be corrected with spectacles, who are squint (their eyes do not focus together), who need special lighting to be able to see, who have blurred vision (e.g. as a result of cataracts or brain injury), or who have tunnel vision. They usually require very specialised spectacles, Braille or large print, and other equipment to assist them to compensate for their low vision. The above extract comes from the website of the DPSA (Disabled People of South Africa).


Here are a few general Questions and proposed answers to help clear myths and to give information:

Question:

So what exactly is a disability?

There are several definitions of Disability available. South Africa tends to use one that is very focused on employment, but this has little bearing on life in society as a whole.

An example of a definition would be:

"Disability: A restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner considered normal for a human being.”



Question:

What kinds of disabilities are there?

Disability is very broad with countless variations and conditions to take into account. One can try to break down disability into three principle groups:

1. Physical;

2. Mental (including Psychological) and;

3. Sensory.



Question:

What are physical Disabilities?

Loss or damage to bones, nerves muscle etc. Often leading to difficulties with mobility or performing daily functions due to paralysis, atrophy, amputation, spasms etc.

Examples include: Spinal cord damage, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, post Polio, cerebral Palsy, etc.

Note: Accessible environments allow persons with physical disabilities to more easily access and participate in all aspects of society, thus removing much of the disabling component of their condition.



Question:

What about mental Disabilities?

There is much confusion between Mental Disabilities and Mental illness. Managed mental illnesses either by therapy or medication need not be disabling. However severe head trauma, depression, undiagnosed or unmanaged conditions like Bipolar or Schizophrenia, can certainly be disabling. Congenital conditions such as Downs Syndrome, Autism and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are regarded as Intellectual disabilities.

Note: Like in all the other categories of PWD one can get highly skilled persons that could be a huge benefit for a company.



Question:

What are Sensory Disabilities?

This would include all visual and hearing disabilities or both combined.

Deafness and hearing impairments range from profound deafness to hearing difficulties. Speech difficulties can accompany hearing loss, particularly profoundly Deaf. Deafness is by right called the “silent disability” because it has major social impacts that is often overseen.

Note: Sign language, lip reading, hearing aids, 'SMS'ing, emailing and good signage all support communication and greater interaction with those with hearing difficulties and society.



Several myths also exist due to a lack of information.

Here is some myths and facts to consider:



Myth:

A deaf person does not have a “big” disability and they don’t need much” accommodation” or adjustments

Fact:

For many deaf people the inability to hear is the least handicap part of their deafness. This is not to minimize their hearing loss they experience but rather to put into perspective. The isolation they encounter from being cut off form the rest of the world is far more dibbling emotionally, socially physically and cognitively.



Myth:

A deaf person does not “understand” as fast, you have to explain a task very slower for them to understand

Fact:

It’s extremely important to determine between understanding a task and communication. If you don’t communicate a task to a hearing person NOBODY will understand the given task. In most cases it’s not about understanding a given task but the manor in witch it is explained.



Fear/Myth:

We would not know how to speak to a person that is deaf

Fact:

Good preparation and possible desensitization would prepare fellow workers and management on how to communicate with a deaf person.

Note: Sign language, lip reading, hearing aids, 'SMS'ing, emailing and good signage all support communication and greater interaction with those with hearing difficulties and society.

Remember many deaf people comes from families of normal hearing, they communicate with hearing people on a daily basis. They will make sure they understand you, and in the process you may also learn a few things!



Did you know? Hearing impaired persons could be excellent IT candidates? That they also have cell phones, watch TV and have a fun social life.



Blindness or visual impairments

Less than 10% of the Blind or visually impaired are completely sightless, the majority have some or partial vision. Computer programs are available that instruct voice synthesizers to read the computer screen in its entirety of just selected parts. Audio signals are included to indicate features such as capitalization and punctuation. There are also proofreading features that perform similarly functions. Graphic programs such as accounting programs are ale to use these systems.

Note: Braille, computer software and hardware, talking books etc, have reduced the barriers significantly in allowing visually impaired people to participate normally in society and the workplace in particular.



Myth:

People with a visual impairment can only work on a switchboard.

Fact:

Numerous of our current visually impaired candidates are in the IT field.



Myth:

Visually impaired candidates work speed is slow

Fact:

These candidates do not get distracted by visual “noise” like sighted people. They have excellent memories and could be highly productive.



Myth/Fear:

I wouldn’t know how to talk to them or orientate them? Will they fit in with our other colleagues?

Fact:

Good preparation and possible desensitization would prepare a fellow workers and management on how to for e.g. orientate a blind person.

Note: Our experience is that a blind person is witty, has a great sense of humor and confident people that likes to compete in the open labor market. They need a bit more time than a sighted person to orientate themselves in a visual world but that is where a companies “accommodation” plays a part. To employ a person with a disability does mean that a certain part of “accommodation / adaptation” is needed.

Note: Braille, computer software and hardware, talking books etc, have reduced the barriers significantly in allowing visually impaired people to participate normally in society and the workplace in particular.



Question:

What about other invisible disabilities?

Epilepsy is one of the largest invisible disabilities. Although it can be well controlled through medication, people with epilepsy still need to be careful of certain stimuli, such as excessive computer use, strip lighting, flashing light, and alcohol etc. Diabetes can also be controversial. If well managed it need not be disabling, however stress, poor diet, fatigue or more serious conditions can certainly lead to very serious problems such as amputation, blindness and worse.

You are welcome to visit our website regularly to get more information and the latest news on disability and employment.