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Info Bandung Raya – “Equality consist in the same treatment of similar person”, ”, this quote comes from Aristotle, which finally opened my awareness about what equality means. When we talk about equality, it means we are talking about justice. Fair for all of us and fair for all creatures on earth. But the problem is, how many people are willing to open themselves to that awareness?
Before we take action and advocacy, of course the main stage that we must do is “be aware”. Be aware of what we are experiencing, and be aware of what is happening in the context of humanity. Awareness will arise when we have empathy and care for others. That is what I want to convey that there is an interrelated bond between concern that ultimately gives rise to awareness, and awareness that can spark a sense of justice and equality. In this case, what I want to convey and focus on my issue is awareness of disability. So what is the concept of disability awareness? Consider the official
definition from Disabled World, which states: “Disability Awareness means educating people regarding disabilities and giving people the knowledge required to carry out a job or task thus separating good practice from poor.”
Whilst this is fundamental to the progression of society’s understanding and acceptance of disability,
this does only cover the basics; the bare bones. For so many of us living with disability or supporting people who live with disability, the concept of disability awareness is so much more than teaching ‘good practice’.
Consider of Human Right Watch, disability awareness helps us to see the effects of our words and actions, then learn new ways of approaching people with disabilities. Disabilities are, by definition, limiting. They make life more difficult in a variety of ways, yet they’re also just a part of who someone is. Even people with severe disabilities can thrive when they operate from a place of strength, with a focus on identifying and overcoming challenges, rather than only looking at their limitations.
So what can we do to spread awareness about disabilities and create an equal life for them? Accordimg of KAPOK article (2021), part of disability awareness involves thinking about the various challenges faced by people with disabilities, including the following.
1. Accessability
The physical environment presents many challenges, even for those of us with no disabilities. Many of these difficulties are amplified for people with disabilities. For example, uneven pavement is annoying for some, a trip hazard for others, and very difficult indeed for someone in a wheelchair. Similarly, houses and stores that only have steps in their entranceways rather than ramps can be challenging for many people who struggle with mobility. Other problems can be found too, like small entryways, stairs, and a lack of handrails.
2. Education
Education is a fundamental ideal, one that we often see as a right. In an ideal world, training would be free and accessible to everybody, as imagined by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore (2019).
Reality, of course, is a long way from that ideal. An enormous number of disabled children need to stay out of school, which gives them less education and fewer chances for social engagement. Online education can be powerful in this area, but it is a far cry from attending a regular school. Some educational establishments have been opened that focus on specific challenges, like schools that provide education in Braille. Similarly, regular schools are working towards being more inclusive and providing greater opportunities.
Similar challenges exist for adults with disabilities. Some can attend higher education campuses, while others need to rely on online approaches instead.
3. Medical Care
In a nation of 1.3 billion people, the medical care system now faces countless challenges. Accessing medical services can be difficult at the best of times, people with disabilities can find it more problematic still. For example, 1 in 3 adults with disabilities don’t have a regular healthcare provider, while 1 in 4 didn’t have a routine checkup in the previous year. These challenges often arise with seniors, who can face a variety of mobility issues and may not be able to safely drive themselves either. Even if a disability just makes it a little more difficult to visit the doctor’s office or go to the hospital, the effects can be dramatic over time. For example, a senior might put off going to the doctor’s office because doing so is difficult, so their medication may not be adjusted as often as needed and health problems may be missed.
There are also biases within the medical care field, which might affect the way a person is treated and the support that they receive. For example, some seniors find that doctors talk almost exclusively to their caregivers, even if the senior is perfectly capable of making their own healthcare decisions. Mindfulness and compassion can help in this area.
Caregivers can support disabled family members by providing transport and support when needed, but still promoting independence and allowing the disabled person to take charge when they wish to.
Disabled people often find that others see their disability first, rather than seeing them as a person. This can be frustrating and demeaning. After all, a person is much more than their strengths and weaknesses. The most powerful tool here is to stop focusing on the disability itself and engage with the person instead. Listening is important too. Don’t dismiss what someone says about their disability, even if their experience makes little sense to us. Always prioritizing empathy and caring for them is one form of and contribution to building justice and equality.
By : Aura Carissa Prawira – Miss Bintang Remaja Indonesia 2024 dan Miss Unity 2024