Supporting Disability Support Workers - Workbook - IDEASWA

People have a range of perceptions or assumptions about people with adisability. These perceptions are a result of the values of a society. Formost of society the values have developed over many years, the last150 years in fact. Some of the values are based on untrue beliefs aboutpeople with a disability. Some beliefs about people with a disabilityinclude; People with a disability are children (and will always be children) People with a disability cannot learn new things People with a disability cannot make their own decisions People with a disability need help from other people People with a disability cannot live independentlyPeople should feel sorry for people with a disabilityPeople should donate to charities to ease the suffering of people witha disabilityEach one of these beliefs is prevalent within Australian society and arealso the myths about people with a disability, that is, they are oftenuntrue. Myths create stereotypes that become self-perpetuating. Ifsomeone believes that all people with a disability are children, they willtreat them as children and they may never be given the opportunity togrow and develop and live as an adult. To treat an adult as a child canmean that they are not perceived to have rights, that they are notresponsible for their actions, that they do not understand, they aretalked down to and that they do not have the ability to make decisions.Imagine how it would feel to have everyone believe this about you.The reality is much different. The following statements are in responseto the above myths. Some people with a disability are children, but others are teenagers,young adults and adults and should be treated as such People with a disability can learn new things given the rightinformation, education and support People with a disability can make their own decisions; they can rangefrom what to wear to where to live. They should be given all of therelevant information to be able to make an informed decision People with a disability may need support from other people toenable them to accomplish what they wish. The support they requirewill vary from person to person Many people with a disability live independently within thecommunity and with the right support to make it successful People should not feel sorry for people with a disability, they are justlike everyone else People with a disability do not suffer from their disability, they livewith their disability. Their disability is part of who they are.Supporting Disability Support Workers 14