Disability Awareness

Disability
Viewed
Negatively
Devalued Roles and Negative Images
(Wolfensberger, 1972)

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of pityWe
should feel bad for or
sorry for people with
disabilities.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of burden or
charityPeople with
disabilities are seen as
helpless or as someone
who needs our help.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of menace
People with disabilities
as something to be
feared; as scary.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of dreadPeople
with disabilities make us
anxious; we want to
avoid prolonged contact
with them.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Object of ridicule
People with disabilities
and their misfortunes or
defects as humorous,
silly or laughable.

Disability Viewed Negatively

SubhumanThose with
disabilities are less than
human; vegetables;
animal-like.

Disability Viewed Negatively

SickDisability as
disease; as
pathological;
something wrong.

Disability Viewed Negatively

ChildlikeThe view of
people with
disabilities as eternal
children.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Holy InnocentThe notion that

people with disabilities have
special status or special
protection from God, without
the capacity to understand or
commit evil.

Disability Viewed Negatively

Sexual DeviatePeople
with disabilities are
either sexual perverts
or asexual.

Disability
Viewed
Positively
Affirming Values and Positive Images
(Turnbull, 2007)

Disability Viewed Positively

Inherent StrengthsStudents
and families have many
natural capacities. They need
great opportunities for
educational programs to
identify, highlight, and build
upon their strengths.

Disability Viewed Positively

Great ExpectationsStudents have
many capabilities that have not been
tapped. We can develop new visions
of what is possible. These visions
can become realities. We need new
perspectives of what life can be as
well as support for fulfilling these
dreams.

Disability Viewed Positively

RelationshipsConnections
are crucial to quality of life.
Students and families need
to connect with each other,
educators, and friends in
the community.

Disability Viewed Positively

Positive Contributions
Individuals with disabilities
contribute positively to their
families, schools, friends, and
communities. We need to
develop greater opportunities
for these contributions.

Disability Viewed Positively

Full CitizenshipLess able does

not mean less worthy.
Students with exceptionalities
and their families are entitled
to full participation in
American life.

Disability Viewed Positively

ChoicesStudents and
families can direct their
own lives. Enabling them
to act on their own
preferences promotes their
self-determination.