Social changes in disability community

Many social changes are occurring within the disability community in the United States. People with disabilities are being empowered to live their own life to its fullest, full of their own choices and use of their civil rights.

People First is a social movement within the disability community. While it may simply be a change in wording, it places the emphasis on a person instead of using their disability as their label. The movement helps place humanity back into the disability community, and focuses more on the people’s abilities, skills, and interests. The movement coincides with a push for education leading people with disabilities towards self advocacy and self determination.

Many people with disabilities are unaware of their rights, and simply live life based on their caregivers’ desires. However, there is a movement towards self advocacy. People are voicing the importance of “speaking up for themselves, making decisions about what they want to do with their lives, and taking chances while learning from any mistakes.” They seek not only for a change in language from “autistic kid” to “kid with autism,” but a chance in perceptions.

References

Missouri people first. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.missouripeoplefirst.org/

People first language. December 2009. Retrieved from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/

Brief History of Disability Rights Movement. 2010. Retrieved from http://www.disabilitylawcenter.org/about/a_brief_history_of_dr_movement.html