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Staff Editorial: People with disabilities same as everyone else; show some respect
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Opinions
In this day and age, our current generation is more understanding than our parents' and grandparents'. Many groups like black people, women and other minorities have fought for their civil rights during the politically active 1960s.
One of those groups was people with physical, mental and learning disabilities. Members in this subgroup of society were not treated with dignity.
Often, people with disabilities were discouraged from getting jobs, going far in school, doing things for themselves and were not treated as full citizens.
People with disabilities were given new opportunities with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These acts made it more possible for employment, public services, public accommodations, and miscellaneous rights for those with special needs.
This act was amended in 1990 and 2008 and disabled people have been making strides in American public life.
Today, Eastern will join forces with Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education and Lake Land College in hosting an all-day credit seminar for Disability Awareness Day.
The seminar is for people interested in helping students with disabilities transition to college or the real world.
Kathy Waggoner said there are 300 students with either a learning disability, ADHD, or traumatic brain injury. Also, she said there is an increase in chronic health issues and Asperger's Syndrome students.
Throughout this process, Eastern's student body must realize that students with disabilities are not any different than anyone else. They breathe, go to class, eat, have their own hopes and dreams, have the same stresses.
When you see them, you should not look at them like they are weird. They deserve the same dignity as anyone else does, being equal as human beings.
Some of these students suffered severe burning or paralysis from car accidents or were injured by a physical assault. Remember, tragic accidents can happen to anyone.
One of those groups was people with physical, mental and learning disabilities. Members in this subgroup of society were not treated with dignity.
Often, people with disabilities were discouraged from getting jobs, going far in school, doing things for themselves and were not treated as full citizens.
People with disabilities were given new opportunities with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These acts made it more possible for employment, public services, public accommodations, and miscellaneous rights for those with special needs.
This act was amended in 1990 and 2008 and disabled people have been making strides in American public life.
Today, Eastern will join forces with Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education and Lake Land College in hosting an all-day credit seminar for Disability Awareness Day.
The seminar is for people interested in helping students with disabilities transition to college or the real world.
Kathy Waggoner said there are 300 students with either a learning disability, ADHD, or traumatic brain injury. Also, she said there is an increase in chronic health issues and Asperger's Syndrome students.
Throughout this process, Eastern's student body must realize that students with disabilities are not any different than anyone else. They breathe, go to class, eat, have their own hopes and dreams, have the same stresses.
When you see them, you should not look at them like they are weird. They deserve the same dignity as anyone else does, being equal as human beings.
Some of these students suffered severe burning or paralysis from car accidents or were injured by a physical assault. Remember, tragic accidents can happen to anyone.
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Charles Ackerson
posted 11/06/09 @ 7:29 AM CST
Many groups like black people, women and other minorities, [?] for their civil rights during the politically active 1960s. People with disabilities were given new opportunities with the Americans with Disabilities Act?and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Continued…)
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