Attitudes towards people with disabilities have transformed over time, with each generation gradually becoming better than the one before. Positive attitudes towards disability is now a common theme among the general public, with disabilities not seen to differentiate individuals from their peers. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of positive attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.
Why positive attitudes towards disability are important
It’s vital to remember that not all disabilities are visible, so the first step to having a positive attitude towards disability is not to judge. In order to advance our communities and society as a whole, we must all have a more accepting outlook towards one another, especially when it comes to disability.
If everyone is as considerate as possible to everyone around them, the chances are you’ll positively impact their life in some way. Disabilities have been known to make people feel outcast or isolated from wider society – especially if the disability can be visually seen. This is why it’s imperative to remain positive towards anybody we come into contact with, especially those with a disability.
Of course, disability is not only physical and visible. A disability can also affect someone’s mental capacity. Displaying empathy, patience and positivity towards disability of any form promotes inclusion and openness for the affected individual.
How attitude has changed over the years
Attitudes have gradually changed over the years towards disability, both physical and mental. The latter is becoming more prominent in today’s society, with people being encouraged to speak up about their personal struggles.
After the First World War, there was a dramatic shift in attitudes towards disability, as almost two million soldiers returned home with life-changing injuries. Following their return, there was an advancement in prosthetics, new housing was built for ex-servicemen and sport and fitness was used as a treatment for both physical and mental illnesses.
In the UK at least, it feels as if a huge improvement in attitudes towards disability picked up around 2012 with the Olympic games being held in London. There was a great sense of inclusion and equality around the games, as competing Paralympic athletes were displayed across television and advertising billboards for months and years afterwards.
In day to day life, disabled access to local amenities, such as shops, office buildings and sporting arenas has improved. However, there is still a lot to be done. There is still ignorance over parking spaces at retail parks and shopping centres, with people willing to occupy a space with complete disregard for anyone else. By being empathetic and promoting more positive attitudes toward individuals with a disability, you can pass that attitude onto others and build a better world.
Ensuring positive attitudes with Seashell
At Seashell Trust, we focus on wellbeing, sport and recreation and forming bonds within our local communities. We do this by placing inclusive wellbeing at the very heart of our work. As part of our charity values, we know it’s important to deliver the very best education, care and support today, but we also need to plan for the medium term and long term future. We are an employer of choice at Seashell, meaning we engage with and value our team. We also forge strong links with partners and sector leaders to develop a range of specialist services, provisions and training facilities.
We pride ourselves on developing strong partnerships with children, young people and families to provide the best support and life outcomes. Honesty, trust and commitment are essential to everything we do, as we pride ourselves on ethical working and strong leadership. If you’d like to know more about what we do here at Seashell, do not hesitate to get in touch.
