The Forgotten Minority
Catherine Jacobson - March 20th, 2017
The Problem
When you think about marginalized groups of people, what comes to mind? Race, gender, and sexual orientation seem to be the hot topics in America’s new enlightenment in social justice. Throughout my time studying social justice and diversity issues, I have continuously noticed that disability is neglected in these conversations.
I’m not the only one noticing this. In The Invisible People, Tonette Rocco states, “Persons with disabilities are marginalized, the intent of reasonable accommodation is misunderstood, and the existence of the minority group—people with disabilities—... is barely acknowledged. Disability is often forgotten, overlooked, or dismissed”. Similarly, Shona Louise, a disability advocate, writes a blog post pointing out existing diversity panels and boards, that do not include a person with a disability, or bring up disability at all. Even in the most recent gatherings for justice, disability is excluded. Cathy Chester wrote an article regarding the Women’s March. “As I began reading posts on several social media platforms about making plans for the march, I began feeling invisible. When I thought about it I realized, once again, something was missing. I read through the Unity Principles of the Women’s March and noticed an absence of inclusion of the disability community. I was disheartened”.
The question explored below is, why is disability often left out in conversations around diversity. I provide a variety of possible explanations for why people with disabilities are often overlooked.
When you think about marginalized groups of people, what comes to mind? Race, gender, and sexual orientation seem to be the hot topics in America’s new enlightenment in social justice. Throughout my time studying social justice and diversity issues, I have continuously noticed that disability is neglected in these conversations.
I’m not the only one noticing this. In The Invisible People, Tonette Rocco states, “Persons with disabilities are marginalized, the intent of reasonable accommodation is misunderstood, and the existence of the minority group—people with disabilities—... is barely acknowledged. Disability is often forgotten, overlooked, or dismissed”. Similarly, Shona Louise, a disability advocate, writes a blog post pointing out existing diversity panels and boards, that do not include a person with a disability, or bring up disability at all. Even in the most recent gatherings for justice, disability is excluded. Cathy Chester wrote an article regarding the Women’s March. “As I began reading posts on several social media platforms about making plans for the march, I began feeling invisible. When I thought about it I realized, once again, something was missing. I read through the Unity Principles of the Women’s March and noticed an absence of inclusion of the disability community. I was disheartened”.
The question explored below is, why is disability often left out in conversations around diversity. I provide a variety of possible explanations for why people with disabilities are often overlooked.
Ambiguous Definition
Disability is very loosely defined to the general public; therefore it may be left out in conversations about diversity because it’s unclear in what terms it can be discussed. Does disability incorporate physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities? Sight and hearing can be measured, but how can a mental disability?
Disability is not always permanent either. Sure some are born with a disability, but many will become disabled in their life. Some will return back to their able-bodied selves. A term given for this is temporarily-able-bodied. People struggle with defining disability because it’s unclear at what point a condition becomes a disability. Who defines disability: individuals or society?
There are already different lenses that disability is comprehended by. The medical model of disability is the notion that disability can often be fixed or cured, versus the social model of disability says that the way society is organized, rather than by a person's impairment, creates disability. Due to all of these unanswered questions, people might not know in what regards they can talk about disability. Therefore it is not talked about
Disability is very loosely defined to the general public; therefore it may be left out in conversations about diversity because it’s unclear in what terms it can be discussed. Does disability incorporate physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities? Sight and hearing can be measured, but how can a mental disability?
Disability is not always permanent either. Sure some are born with a disability, but many will become disabled in their life. Some will return back to their able-bodied selves. A term given for this is temporarily-able-bodied. People struggle with defining disability because it’s unclear at what point a condition becomes a disability. Who defines disability: individuals or society?
There are already different lenses that disability is comprehended by. The medical model of disability is the notion that disability can often be fixed or cured, versus the social model of disability says that the way society is organized, rather than by a person's impairment, creates disability. Due to all of these unanswered questions, people might not know in what regards they can talk about disability. Therefore it is not talked about
Media Representation
Media representation of people with disabilities is very limited. Disability media representation is a part of the forgotten minority problem because media influences social norms and the general public’s way of thinking about disability. Existing representation perpetuates negative stereotypes the disability rights movement has been fighting against. Paul Hunt’s study identified 10 stereotypes that the media uses to portray people with disabilities. Some include that they are pitiful, pathetic, evil, laughable, non-sexual, and a burden.
Media representation of people with disabilities is very limited. Disability media representation is a part of the forgotten minority problem because media influences social norms and the general public’s way of thinking about disability. Existing representation perpetuates negative stereotypes the disability rights movement has been fighting against. Paul Hunt’s study identified 10 stereotypes that the media uses to portray people with disabilities. Some include that they are pitiful, pathetic, evil, laughable, non-sexual, and a burden.
A recent example of this is the Warner Brother’s Me Before You summer 2016 romance. This movie’s plot (originally a novel) centers around a quadriplegic character who wants to end his life. There was quite a bit of backlash on this disability snuff film including that it encourages the notion that if you’re a person with a disability, you’re better off dead. That love might be the only strong enough force to want to make a person with a disability live. The idea is harmful because the viewers will not understand that with the proper training and confidence people with disabilities can live happy productive independent lives.
Invisible Disabilities
Invisible disabilities account for much of the disabled population. People with invisible disabilities can pass as able-bodied. If someone does not need to disclose their disability to get accommodations, then their disability is not brought up in conversations. From my experiences, people with invisible disabilities may not identify themselves as a person with a disability. If they do, it can take much longer to come to terms with it.
Invisible disabilities account for much of the disabled population. People with invisible disabilities can pass as able-bodied. If someone does not need to disclose their disability to get accommodations, then their disability is not brought up in conversations. From my experiences, people with invisible disabilities may not identify themselves as a person with a disability. If they do, it can take much longer to come to terms with it.
People with invisible disabilities are not always encouraged, or forced to, disclose by society. This perpetuates the tabooness and stigma of disability. Disability might not be forgotten about. People might just not want to talk about it because they are still ashamed to disclose their disability and don’t see it as an important part of their identity.
Not Seen as a Form of Oppression
My final explanation for disability being the forgotten minority is that people still might not see disability as a form of oppression. This generally comes into play when people compare the historical experiences and treatments of different oppressed groups. No form of oppression should be put in competition with one another, but people with disabilities have been discriminated against throughout history everywhere.
Somehow, there are still individuals who do not believe society is oppressing disability. Hugh Gallagher ignorantly states in his 2001 research article conclusion, “American disabled citizens today are oppressed only so far as they allow themselves to be oppressed”. Gallagher is suggesting that disability oppression today is an individual problem, not a societal one.
Disability is recognized as a form of oppression by many. Meaning that people with disabilities face discrimination every day. That they lack opportunities and resources to reach their full potential. That they are made to feel inferior, exploited, and ignored. People with disabilities are seen as vulnerable and less powerful. This all sets disability into power-based socially accepted mistreatment.
If the general public doesn’t see disability as a form of oppression, or chooses to ignore it, then disability will continuously be left out of diversity conversations. Disability desperately needs to be talked about in conversation on diversity, minorities, equity, oppression, politics, and media. This is important not only because disability is a huge minority group, but also because an unacknowledged problem can only get worse.
My final explanation for disability being the forgotten minority is that people still might not see disability as a form of oppression. This generally comes into play when people compare the historical experiences and treatments of different oppressed groups. No form of oppression should be put in competition with one another, but people with disabilities have been discriminated against throughout history everywhere.
Somehow, there are still individuals who do not believe society is oppressing disability. Hugh Gallagher ignorantly states in his 2001 research article conclusion, “American disabled citizens today are oppressed only so far as they allow themselves to be oppressed”. Gallagher is suggesting that disability oppression today is an individual problem, not a societal one.
Disability is recognized as a form of oppression by many. Meaning that people with disabilities face discrimination every day. That they lack opportunities and resources to reach their full potential. That they are made to feel inferior, exploited, and ignored. People with disabilities are seen as vulnerable and less powerful. This all sets disability into power-based socially accepted mistreatment.
If the general public doesn’t see disability as a form of oppression, or chooses to ignore it, then disability will continuously be left out of diversity conversations. Disability desperately needs to be talked about in conversation on diversity, minorities, equity, oppression, politics, and media. This is important not only because disability is a huge minority group, but also because an unacknowledged problem can only get worse.
Addressing The Issue
In reality this problem is probably due to the combination of all the possibilities listed above, and then some. Disability, as the forgotten minority, can be addressed by you and me in our everyday lives. I suggest talking more about disability. Bring disability up in your conversations about diversity; combat the stigma that still surrounds disability disclosure.
Make sure disability is included when talking about intersecting identities. If you are uneasy talking about disability, or maybe even your own disability, explore why this may be. Reach out to disability organizations and see what they are doing in terms of advocacy and/or representation. Use less ableist language, such as crazy, lame, and retarded. Try replacing them with these suggestions, and even call your friends out on them.
Don’t let disability be forgotten or separated in conversations. Make sure that disabled voices are being heard. Make sure that able-bodied individuals feel comfortable talking about disability. People who are able-bodied need to know that it is okay to ask questions about disability. Disability is often misunderstood; to make people understand we must start talking!
In reality this problem is probably due to the combination of all the possibilities listed above, and then some. Disability, as the forgotten minority, can be addressed by you and me in our everyday lives. I suggest talking more about disability. Bring disability up in your conversations about diversity; combat the stigma that still surrounds disability disclosure.
Make sure disability is included when talking about intersecting identities. If you are uneasy talking about disability, or maybe even your own disability, explore why this may be. Reach out to disability organizations and see what they are doing in terms of advocacy and/or representation. Use less ableist language, such as crazy, lame, and retarded. Try replacing them with these suggestions, and even call your friends out on them.
Don’t let disability be forgotten or separated in conversations. Make sure that disabled voices are being heard. Make sure that able-bodied individuals feel comfortable talking about disability. People who are able-bodied need to know that it is okay to ask questions about disability. Disability is often misunderstood; to make people understand we must start talking!