Disability Rights! We are people to!

 When you say the word “equality” what comes to your mind? If you are like most people, you would probably think about the racism issue in the United States, especially during the 40’s and 50’s. Maybe in the word you think of the Women’s rights, how they had to go from complete indifference in society to voting, and finally to being accepted as an equal member of the world, like any other man. Or you maybe think about religion? How the fact that you have different beliefs means that you are treated differently, than everyone else. But what about those can’t see one’s race? Those who can’t understand a woman’s protest for equality? Or maybe the few people who can’t hear the beliefs of others? What about the people with disabilities? Many times, these often peaceful group of people do nothing wrong in their whole lives, just to suffer the pains of people who do not sympathize with them. And by this I mean not helping them in making their lives any easier. That means, no ramps for the people in wheelchairs, no schools for deaf people, and no facilities for those mentally sick. But thankfully, there are many people who stand up for their rights and demand that they should have the facilities in their area in order for them to live their lives as best as they can.

  

  Now when one thinks of the origins of the disability rights movement, many people think around the 1960’s when the protest actually began. There were many forces that tried to change some of the ways building were build, and some of the thing that schools should add to make students with hearing aid easier to study, but it was around the 1960’s that many organizations and campaigns were made. Inspired by the efforts given by the equality for women and African Americans, disabled people were banning together to fight for a common cause. This is where the Independent Living Movement was created. Formed in California, Edward Roberts and more wheelchair using people proposed ideas in ways that they could improve their ways of life and get more rights. Roberts stated that people with these disabilities are the experts in what they want to make their life easier, so they should take initiative in knowing what they want, and demanding for it. This in my opinion, was what sparked many people to demand for their rights. For you see, I believe that many of these handicapped were depressed and thought themselves as weak or useless, so they probably thought that there was no point in making their lives easier if they see no point in having one. And the average citizen did not really help neither. No ramps on the entrance of buildings, no ways to communicate with the deaf in a supermarket, no facilities to treated a child with a mental sickness; this was something they had to face every day of their lives. So who would not be depressed? But I am glad that there were some handicapped people who believed in themselves and demanded for those people to have their rights. Another important protest that helped shaped the right that disabled people have today is the Deaf President Now campaign. This was a student protest in which the liberal arts study of the deaf people established a congress in which to help the rights of the deaf people, but the person to represent them, their president, was a hearing person.  So the student quickly formed a rally and protest when they were aware of the fact that the university has announced another hearing person as their president. The protest was peaceful and in the end King Jordan, a deaf man became president, influencing many disabled people to stand up for what they believed.

  In conclusion, it was these strong willed, brave people that made these rights and privileges for the handicap a reality for everyone of their condition. If it were not for their determination for a better life, and the knowing in the heart that there IS a better life for them, many would still have trouble getting to their banks or going to school. One must salute these people and know that they are the examples for not only the handicap but for everyone.