Breaking Down Barriers: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities Through Positive Social Change

When considering how to impact positive social change, it can seem overwhelming if one wants to change the world.  According to Walden University(2023), "That does not mean we cannot improve our local communities." (Pg. 1, Para 1).  Focusing on our communities can seem overwhelming as well.  With that in mind, one must determine how to influence positive social change in their community by choosing a cause.

As a special education teacher, it is only natural to make things more equitable for individuals with disabilities.  During thirty years of teaching, advocating for the rights of students has been crucial.  Also,  teaching students skills in self-advocacy helps develop a student's voice and makes things more equitable for them.  Guiding parents in advocating for their children has also been an essential part of this mission of improving the lives of people in the community.  

One may ask why individuals with disabilities need to be a focus of a social change project when the Americans with Disability Act protects their rights.  According to research (Esteban et al., 2021), "People with intellectual disability (ID) and extensive support needs experience poorer quality of life than their peers whose disability is not as severe." (Pg 1, para 1) Most students who attend school will live with their families or care facilities their entire lives due to the extensive care they require.  

  In order to improve the quality of individuals with severe to profound disabilities, focus on the following areas.  First, the students must learn skills to help them communicate with others.  Communication may look different for each individual.  Next, helping each person become as independent as possible creates a happier person.  However, due to significant global delays, many individuals with severe to profound disabilities may not ever achieve total independence.  Finally, the general public must learn to be empathetic and genuinely see the person first, not the disability.  The battle will continue to fight for students to be treated kindly and with dignity.

References

Esteban, L., Navas, P., Verdugo, M. Á., & Arias, V. B. (2021). Community Living, Intellectual Disability and Extensive Support Needs: A Rights-Based Approach to Assessment and Intervention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 3175. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063175

Walden University. (2023). five-things-that-everyone-should-know-about-social-change. Www.waldenu.edu. https://www.waldenu.edu/why-walden/social-change/resource/five-things-that-everyone-should-know-about-social-change