We Need To Start Talking About Disability Rights | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

We Need To Make Disability Rights The Next Trending Topic

There's a huge group of people who need us to be more aware.

842
We Need To Make Disability Rights The Next Trending Topic

In an age of technology, information is shared in an instant. Being ignorant or just not knowing isn't an excuse anymore — we have access to everything at our fingertips. With the surge of social media and an increased moral conscience, we have all witnessed these tools being used to fuel worldwide social movements.

So many great things have come out of this cultural shift — the spike in awareness of women and gender rights, environmental sustainability, and humongous initiatives such as the Me Too and Black Lives Matter movements.

There has been a focus on education and equality, which is great, but one key issue is missing from this conversation.

Disability rights are often overlooked when it comes to "trendy issues."

No one wants to talk about it and it is never in the headlines or in the forefront of the conversation. This could be due to the nature of this issue making people uncomfortable, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be discussed. 15 percent of the entire world has some sort of disability, which frankly is a lot of people. That said, it isn't nearly enough compared to how many women or people of color are in the world, so that may be another reason why it isn't talked about.

However, this brings up the point—even though the disability community is a small community, it doesn't mean it should be ignored. Just because you gave us the Americans With Disability Act doesn't mean everything's just okay now. Though the ADA marked a huge win for the disability community, it is only a piece of paper. Job discrimination, access denial, social tensions, and negative stereotypes still plague most disabled people to this day. Unfortunately, it is still widely perceived that disabled people are less capable than normal people and are viewed as less than human.

With this trend of being hyper-aware and educated, can we all take a moment and educate ourselves about the world of people with disabilities?

Can you imagine going to a job interview, being triple as qualified than all the other candidates, but not getting the job because you are disabled? What about walking into a store with your service dog and being asked to leave because dogs aren't allowed on the premises? Or what about the strain and exhaustion that is felt every day to prove yourself to the world and show them you are worthy? It is not easy and people need to start to push it to the forefront.

Report this Content
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179288
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6447
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451949
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22983
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments