Brandi Moeller

JINS 324-Contexts of Disability

Professor Martha Rose

May 9, 2003

Two Separate Worlds

A remarkable and unprecedented paradigm shift has recently occurred which represents a historic break with the traditional perception of disability as a sick, abnormal, and pathetic condition. This shift poses a fundamental challenge to the ideological oppression of people with disabilities. For it sees disability as normal, not inferior, and demands self-determination over the resources people with disabilities need. This new perspective unfolds out of a changing world in which a relatively few political activists with disabilities are challenging the old ways of thinking about and treating disability (Charlton 10).

The "old" way of looking at disability has finally begun to change. Society started to accept disability rather than fear it. This change in attitude is very recent and still has a long road ahead in the journey to complete acceptance of disabilities. Even so, society has made progress. In this journey to acceptance, a crucial step is moving from the personal to the political. A common practice of society is to pity people who are disabled. Society must advance from these personal feelings and start leading individuals in changing opportunities for the disabled. People with disabilities deserve to be treated equally and accommodated in every type of environment. This can only happen with the help of every individual, not merely the disabled.

It is important that society as a whole contributes its view of disability because each person provides a different perspective. Each individual has a unique mind and personality therefore can provide opinions and ideas that may be different than any other individual’s. This is when a disciplinarity is integrated in the lives of people with disabilities. Each discipline somehow deals with disability and may affect disability. The significance of different disciplines in the lives of people with disabilities is evident every day of their lives.

When discussing disability it is important to address a variety of impairments, diseases, and disabilities. This paper will address the following six: mental retardation, disabilities of hearing, mental health disabilities, autism, blindness, and mobility impairment. Each disability will be briefly defined and described along with a discussion of an autobiography from an individual who experiences each disability. Integrated in the paper are political and economic topics about people with disabilities, the role of family and friends, and how certain disciplines shed light on each disability.

Segregation of blacks and whites is no longer allowed in America. On May 17, 1954 the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision stating that it was a violation of the 14^th amendment to separate children in public schools for reasons of race or color. The civil rights movement followed this and created many more rights for American citizens whether black, white, women, etc. If the American society feels it is not right to segregate blacks and whites, why does it continue to be acceptable to segregate the disabled from the "normal"? The process is simple: society sees that there is something different about a child, that he/she is "abnormal" and then proceeds to place him/her in an institution with other "abnormal" children so that they can all receive "special treatment". We all know that in many cases, the "special treatment" these children receive is far from beneficial to their health. Without giving disabled people a chance, society automatically believes that they cannot function in a normal environment. This is especially the case for people who suffer from mental retardation. Roland Johnson, author of Lost in a Desert World, tells a first-hand account of the experiences in these institutions. As Johnson fights for independence, he demonstrates how a mentally retarded person can function normally in society, bring a variety of aspects to the world around him, and encounter different disciplines throughout his many endeavors.

Mental retardation is a disability characterized by a significantly below-average score on a test of mental ability or intelligence and by limitations in the ability to function in areas of daily life, such as communication, self-care, and getting along in social situations and social activities. Some symptoms include: finding it hard to remember things, having trouble speaking, have trouble problem solving and thinking logically and having trouble understanding social rules ("Developmental Disabilities"). These symptoms make it hard for the mentally retarded to function well in society, especially children in school environments. For example, Johnson often stole from stores. Johnson recalls how storeowners would talk to his mother. "You know that boy of yours, I keep my eyes on him. Every time he comes in, every time you send him to the store, he will be quick and fast, picking up things." (Johnson 10) Johnson did not do this because he was trying to cause trouble. He merely did not know any better. Because the mentally retarded have difficulties in understanding social rules, they are often perceived as troublemakers in school. The difference between these children and the troublemakers is yet again, the fact that they do not know any better. They do not understand that there are certain unspoken rules about how an individual is supposed to act.

In the past the answer to these problems was to eliminate the people who suffered from mental retardation. In ancient Sparta, infanticide was common practice. Any child that appeared to be defective was thrown from a cliff to die on the jagged rocks below ("Feeble mind"). Until 1905, girls were sterilized and boys were castrated because society felt the "morons," as they were then termed, were breeding at a faster rate than the general population. Society realized that these practices were inhumane and therefore came up with institutions. These institutions became overcrowded, holding over 1500 patients ("History of Mental Retardation"). Although society has progressed from there, institutions still have problems. Speaking for Ourselves, the organization of which Johnson was president spent a lot of its time trying to shut down institutions or improve them. For example, Johnson was sexually abused at the institution he lived in as a child. Sexual abuse was just one type of abuse he experienced. Another problem with institutions is lack of independence for patients. Patients need to be given the freedom to explore and discover the world on their own. They need to be given the chance to live that every individual deserves.

One issue that is being fought against is segregated vocational environments for the mentally retarded. In these environments, workshops were introduced as a way for those with mental retardation to integrate into supported employment programs, however this is not the case. Those who are in these environments do not move on. The environments do not help the mentally retarded to enter the working environment. Segregation of people with disabilities is generally done for the convenience and comfort of those without disabilities, not for the better of the disabled ("Vocational").

In Nothing About Us, Without Us, Charlton discusses the alienation disabled people experience. The evolution of consciousness, of the disabled, is informed by the lives of the economic and social deprivation in which they are told every day that they are pathetic, gross and most importantly, inferior. The message is reinforced by a variety of social institutions. Families hide them, sending the message that they will always be dependent (70). At the first sign that Johnson would be more of a commitment to take care of, his mother sends him to an institution. When he tells her he is being abused, her only solution is to call the institution. When they deny it, she trusts what they are saying. Education and the media are two other institutions that reinforce the stereotypes of the disabled. The disabled who are lucky enough to attend school are segregated and told they are "special," which translates as inferior. The media portrays the disabled as helpless, maladjusted cripples (Charlton 70). In the film The Other Sister, the main character’s biggest struggle is becoming independent. Her mother demonstrates more of the old perspective that the disabled are helpless. She does not think her daughter can take care of herself. The doctor finally tells her mother that independence can give her daughter something nobody else can every give her-dignity. The movie actually proves that those who suffer from mental retardation can survive in society. This is one sign of how society has progressed, however there is still progress to be made.

Society could help the disabled feel more comfortable in society. The disabled need to be involved in activities that help them to fit into the community better. For example, the mentally retarded support developing leisure services for them. Participating in activities such as this could make those with mental retardation feel more equal to their peers and give them the confidences to interact with their community ("Leisure").

This is where multiple disciplines encounter mental retardation. A social worker would be of importance. He/she may help a mentally retarded person get out of an unstable home and help him/her living conditions. Psychology plays an integrate role in the life of a mentally retarded person because that is how they are diagnosed. The diagnosis is very important in improving life for a disabled person. Communication disorders is a discipline that can greatly affect those with mental retardation. A therapist will help them in communication and social skills, in effect helping integrate them into society.

However, integrating the disabled into society can only happen with the help of more than merely a communication therapist. First of all, segregation must end. For those with mental retardation to begin to feel comfortable and have confidence, they need some help from society. ". . . It’ll be more that we are special people in some ways. But I don’t think that other name (mental retardation) should be called. We are special because we have a sense of our own; we know who we are; we know what we are doing; we got lots on the ball. You don’t treat us like animals; we should be treated like adults." (Johnson 70)

Everywhere in the world, people are segregated-segregated by race, religion, social class, income, and yes, even disability. No matter how much society claims it is not segregated, in reality it is. It is common human nature to flock to others who are similar to you, whether it is the color of your skin, how much money you make, what you believe in or the efficiency of your hearing. Within American society, there is disability culture, but even within disability culture there is "little d" deaf culture and "capital D" Deaf culture. The many types and levels of deafness each belong to one of these deaf cultures. While suffering from hearing loss, these people also suffer from discrimination. No matter what culture they belong to, they suffer from one type of hearing loss, experience discrimination, and try to survive in a world just recently adapting to them.

"Deafness is the partial or complete lack of the sense of hearing; the incapacity of perceiving sounds." ("Deaf") Pre-lingual deafness is deafness from birth ("Hearing"). Cole, the child in Mr. Holland’s Opus, experiences pre-lingual deafness; he depends on sign language, yet he can still lip-read. Post-lingual deafness is hearing loss that has been acquired after learning language ("Hearing"). People who have this use lip-reading and depend on spoken word. Henry Kisor has this type of deafness; he lip-reads only and does not even know sign language. Kisor developed his hearing loss from having meningitis as a child. Many different illnesses can cause hearing loss, illnesses such as meningitis, otosclerosis, a bone overgrowth, Usher Syndrome, a genetic condition causing hearing and sight impairment, and Waardenburg Syndrome, a genetic condition causing hearing impairment, different colored eyes, a small nose, etc. ("Causes").

Two types of hearing loss are sudden sensorineural hearing loss (sudden deafness) and noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Sudden deafness is a rapid loss of hearing. This can happen all at once or over a period of up to three days ("Sudden Deafness"). Noise induced hearing loss is an effect from impulse sound. This can be instantaneous and can result in an immediate hearing loss that may be permanent. The symptoms of NIHL that occur over a period of continuous exposure increase gradually ("Toxic Noise"). There are four levels of deafness, starting from the smallest hearing impairment progressing to the most severe. With mild hearing loss, one experiences difficulty in following speech in noisy situations. People who suffer from moderate hearing loss will only be able to use a telephone with amplification and will have difficulty following speech without a hearing aid. Severe hearing loss concerns difficulty in following speech with a hearing aid. Lip-reading is very important and written information is very important. Someone suffering from profound hearing loss has a heavy dependency upon lip-reading, some use sign language, and hearing aids are little or no help ("Hearing").

The type or level of hearing loss one experiences may determine what culture he/she belongs to. The Deaf culture believes in having its own distinct society. This culture consists mainly of people who suffer from complete hearing loss. People who belong to Deaf culture use sign language and fight for hearing-impaired opportunities. They do not believe in the use of lip-reading for main communication. Some even go as far as to desire hearing-impaired children. On the other hand, the deaf culture believes in trying to be a part of the "hearing world." This culture consists mainly of people who suffer from partial hearing loss or at least have post-lingual hearing loss. This is mainly because it is easier for them to lip-read, therefore easier for them to be a part of the hearing world. However, there are still many day-to-day tasks that are challenging to them. "Little d" deaf culture also fights for hearing-impaired opportunities, but has no interest in segregating themselves from the "hearing world. Henry Kisor is a perfect example of this. He is a part of the "hearing world." He lip-reads and does not know how to sign. He is a journalist and for many years he worked without special instruments for the hearing impaired because they did not exist at that time. He believes in using technology and instruments to make it easier to exist in the "hearing world" and to keep up with society.

However, when it came to the working force, if Kisor could manage without the expensive hearing-impaired equipment, he would. He did not want the newspaper to have to spend so much money on one of its employees. This is where Kisor and the Deaf culture disagree because the Deaf culture believes that money should not matter, a deaf employee should be accommodated. Another issue being fought for is discrimination against driving. At least 26 countries do not allow deaf citizens to hold a driver’s license. This does not make sense considering that "You will never see a deaf driver fumbling with a cell phone, or searching for a radio station . . . The accidents involving emergency vehicles at an intersection are caused by inattentive drivers, not just deaf drivers." ("Opinion"). Captioned media programming is another issue that the deaf fight for ("Opinion"). How do the deaf understand the news? When there is an emergency breakthrough the first thing heard is the television is reporters’ voices. How much crucial news and information do the deaf miss out on because captioning is not provided for them? Recently, a law was passed that all television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite television services that provide local emergency news have a duty to caption all essential emergencies or provide it visually ("Emergency warnings").

This addresses the topic of what disciplines might shed light on deafness. The broadcasting and film industries play a major role in the condition of deafness. These industries determine what the deaf know and perceive about the world that surrounds them. Even a lip-reader cannot understand movies or television screens. Kisor explains that he never understood a movie before captioning was provided because mouths are too small when on a screen. He would catch little excerpts, but would never catch the theme of a film. Communications also plays a role in deafness. Communication in itself is important to everyone. But, to a deaf person it is even more crucial. Since the deaf do not have a main tool of communication that everyone else has (hearing), the deaf must find other ways to communicate-with their hands, for example. How many times have you heard the quote, "actions speak louder than words"? Business is another discipline that deals with deafness. A good businessman will find a way to accommodate a deaf person. For example, a telephone company must come up with a similar way for deaf people to communicate in order to satisfy his customers.

A big issue for the deaf that has not been mentioned yet is employment discrimination, an issue that concerns every disability. James Charlton, when discussing this topic, uses the United States as a barometer because of the progress that has been made in disability employment. However, 66 percent of people who suffer from disabilities are unemployed. The mean income of people with disabilities was $7,812 in 1992 and 42.3 percent of people with disabilities are described as "very poor" which means they have incomes below 125 percent of the poverty line (Charlton 45). If the United States is used as a barometer, meaning the best situations probably exist in the United States, one cannot even imagine what it would be like to live in another country and suffer from a disability.

Along with suffering from a disability and fighting for issues the deaf worry about whether they fit into the "hearing world" or the "non-hearing world." Why does it matter what culture or society or world one fits into? Why is it human nature to flock to others who are similar? American society influences this type of segregation by the way children are segregated in schools and simply by the way in which Americans live life. Every time an application is made, a box to check for race and nationality and a section to describe what illness one suffers from are always included. So, while Americans strive to improve working environments and life for people who suffer from a disability, why do we not try to change our segregated society?

To be sick. To be well. To wish in a well. Please let me be courageous. Another quarter in the fountain. Please let me be like everybody else. The outcast. Loser. Pitiful. Hate that word. Fighter. Winner. Delusional. False beliefs. Who am I kidding? Daffy Duck? Looney Tunes. Deranged. Demented. Unbalanced. They’re manic. I’m crazy. I’m crazy. That’s insanity. (Schiller and Bennett 185)

In the autobiography The Quiet Room Lori Schiller shares thoughts that constantly tormented her before she gained control over her illness, schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is one of many mental illnesses that have evolved as doctors and scientists have researched and discovered more information on mental illness. The old perceptions and the new perceptions of mental illnesses differ greatly. This shows that society has progressed with science and as a result, patients and families have begun to learn how to deal with mental illness.

One of the issues prevalent in The Quiet Room was how Schiller’s family dealt with her illness. When thinking about illness one tends to forget the crucial role of friends and family to a mental patient. This is what makes "The Quiet Room" such a successful book; not only does it include personal accounts of the mental illness, schizophrenia, it also includes the perspective of Schiller’s family, friends and doctors. The reader is learning about schizophrenia while also learning about how one might deal with it as a friend or family member of a sufferer of a mental illness.

In the beginning, Schiller’s parents did not accept that she was sick. When she began seeing a psychiatrist, they dismissed her troubles as typical college problems. Years later when she first attempted suicide their first concern was Schiller’s reputation, not the well being of their daughter. Though this sounds very insensitive, one has to understand why they were concerned about Schiller’s reputation. Think about how our society looked at disability 20 years ago; it is only recently that society has begun to accept disability. For example, as soon as a disability is recognized in a student he/she is placed on a different track. Professionals label disabled students by their illness or disability or LD, ADHD, ED. All of these labels signify inferiority on their face and disabled students are constantly told what to do and what not to do (Charlton 32). This is merely a result of society’s views on disability mainstreaming into the schools, the work force, everywhere. It is for this reason that Schiller’s parents were worried about her reputation.

Schiller suffered from schizophrenia for many years before Schiller’s parents admitted that she was very sick and needed help. However, Schiller had yet to admit that to herself. This demonstrates how both the ill and the family members experience denial and the first step to progress is admittance. Part of the reason that Schiller or her parents did not accept her illness was because she was diagnosed and misdiagnosed, then diagnosed again. It was a vicious cycle.

Scientists knew little about the workings of the brain or the causes of mental illness, therefore diagnosing and treating these mental illnesses was difficult for doctors (Schiller and Bennett foreword). Treatment of mentally ill goes back to the Stone Age when early humans performed trephination. They would use a stone instrument to cut away a circular section of the skull. Then society progressed to the belief that mental illness was a symptom of a person’s body being possessed by demons. In the sixteenth century, doctors converted Bethlehem Hospital in London into an insane asylum. The asylum was over-crowded and patients were treated cruelly. The asylum was like a zoo; tourists could tour the asylum and see the patients. Finally, in the 19^th century Phillipe Pinel began to practice the moral treatment of his patients. This emphasized moral guidance and humane and respectful treatment of patients (Comer). These are just a few examples of how the treatment of mental illness has progressed.

Schizophrenia is only one type of mental illness. There are many others, such as dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and depression. Doctors continue to have problems diagnosing these illnesses because some of the symptoms are similar. For example, schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder are often confused because people who suffer from schizophrenia hear internal voices not heard by others and they believe that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts and plotting to harm them ("Schizophrenia"). Dissociative identity disorder is the lack of connection in a person’s thoughts, memories, feelings, actions or sense of identity. Other personalities are created in order to escape from a traumatic experience ("Dissociative"). These two diseases are similar because sometimes the voices are understood to be other identities. However, schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling brain disease ("Schizophrenia") as opposed to dissociative identity disorder, which is the result of a mental process. Another disease that often is confused with schizophrenia is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a neurobiological brain disorder involving extremes in mood. People experience mild manias or wild manias and then periods of depression ("Bipolar disorder"). A sufferer of schizophrenia seems to be bipolar because they swing from one extreme to another. For example, Schiller would go shopping and spend more money than she had. Once, she gambled an expensive diamond bracelet that her parents had bought her. She would then return home and shut herself in her room for days.

Effects such as the shopping sprees that Schiller experienced become quite expensive. Then, when a person finally admits he/she is sick the expense of hospitals and treatments is immense, especially if a patient wants quality treatment. This is why the mentally ill are fighting for "access to a full array of high quality, integrated mental health services, regardless of ability to pay," ("Insurance parity"). If these medical services are provided earlier, the larger expenses can be avoided. The mentally ill are also fighting for equitable employment and the Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2001. They are fighting against discrimination and abuse ("Discrimination") and they are trying to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness ("Amnesty") and negative media portrayals ("Mental health"). For example, in many films the mentally ill are portrayed as helpless individuals who must live in padded white cells. Contrary to popular belief, many can function "normally."

Many disciplines can shed light on mental illness. As mentioned before, education can play a large role in mental illness because a teacher may be the first to realize that something is wrong with a student. Another crucial discipline is nursing because nurses are responsible for taking care of patients and in order for them to take care of patients they must understand what the mentally ill are experiencing. Nurses are sometimes the people that make the difference in a patient’s recovery. An emergency room nurse can play a vital role also because he/she may encounter a mentally ill patient that has attempted suicide or a patient who is hallucinating. Psychology could deal with mental illness because psychologists and psychiatrists diagnose the illnesses. Businesses will have to deal with the illnesses when accommodating their customers and communication disorders can help patients to adapt to society and therefore live better.

Whether it is a nurse, a parent, a friend or another patient, other people are a crucial part of life for the mentally ill. As mental illness has progressed and scientists and doctors have learned more about it, society has become to accept it better. The stigmas that still exist in society are heard less frequently. Families have learned to accept mental illness and have learned how to help in the recovery. Like societies stigmas mainstreamed everywhere, acceptance has begun to spread through society. This has helped families to accept illness and deal with it better. It is these people who motivate the mentally ill to recover. Schiller’s dedication reads, "To my Mom and Dad. . . who never gave up hope" (Schiller and Bennett dedication).

At Randall Elementary it is 2:00 in the afternoon, every child’s favorite time of the day-recess. The children run out the doors of the school, find their friends and begin playing their respective games. For some, however it was not the best time of the day. Before starting to play their games, children migrate together and pick and choose who can be a part of their group. There is always someone left out because he/she is not cool enough, is not good enough and many times is "weird" or "crazy."

These children who are left out and called names are the ones who dread that recess period every day. People who suffer from autism often experience situations similar to this. Autism has different types and different degrees to it. What type or degree one has determines how well he/she will function in society. Another determiner of how well a person with autism will survive in society is society itself and how well it accepts people with this disability. Many different disciplines can shed light on the disability of autism and may affect the daily lives of people who suffer from autism. Other factors that play a crucial role in the life of an autistic person are: family, friends, and social environment.

In the autobiography, Nobody Nowhere, Donna Williams tells the story of her life as a high-functioning autistic. As a child, Williams did not know that she was autistic. In fact, she did not know until she was an adult that she suffered from the disability. She was one of the children who were called "crazy." She would make friends, but they would eventually decide that she was "weird" and stop hanging out with her. Then sometimes Williams would decide that she did not want to be friends anymore if her friend made another acquaintance. She had trouble communicating with people and sometimes would only repeat words that had been spoken to her. Williams lived life in her own world without the help of others because they did not understand her and because she did not understand herself.

Autism is defined as a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism affects the normal development of the brain in areas such as social interaction and communication skills ("Autism"). This is why Donna Williams had problems with communication. In addition to communication problems, people with autism also experience language problems, resist change, prefer to be alone (social problems) and often display tantrums. Autistics also are not responsive to verbal cues and sometimes are even thought to be deaf, have trouble making eye contact and also experience difficulties with fine motor skills ("Autism"). Williams, in her autobiography, included photos of herself at many different ages and her inability to make eye contact is evident. She also preferred to be alone or with only one person and would throw tantrums. Williams did not experience the symptoms to a great degree because she is a high-functioning autistic. Problems are experienced in a wide range, depending upon what degree one suffers from autism ("Autism").

There are three different types of autism; first there is autistic disorder, which is also referred to as early infantile autism or childhood autism. People who suffer from autistic disorder experience a moderate to severe range of communication, socialization, and behavior problems. Many children who have autism also experience mental retardation. Next, there is asperger’s disorder. This is a developmental disorder characterized by a lack of social skills, difficulty with social relationships, poor coordination, poor concentration, and a restricted range of interests. With asperger’s disorder, there is a later onset than autistic disorder, or at least it is recognized later. Another difference between asperger’s disorder and autism is that normal intelligence and adequate language skills in the areas of vocabulary and grammar are evident. People with asperger’s disorder have average to above average intelligence. Because of these symptoms, it is often incorrectly termed as high-functioning autism. Lastly, there is pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and people who suffer from this do not fully meet the criteria of symptoms clinicians use to diagnose any of the specific types of PDD and they do not have the degree of impairment described in any of the specific PDD types, therefore they are categorized with the term PDD ("Autism").

No matter what type of autism one suffers from or what degree he/she experiences, family plays a crucial role. Many times parents merely give up on their children, accepting the labels society has already given them. Parents do not understand what is happening with their child and do not work hard enough at trying to find the problem. This was the case for Williams. Her mother not only neglected her, she resented her and punished Williams with violence. Autism cannot be blamed on the upbringing of a child, but as a result of the neglect Williams experienced she had no chance for early intervention. According to the autism society, certain therapies are important, but first and foremost, early intervention is key ("Autism").

In order for early intervention to be possible, the people in a child’s social environment must be very conscious of what is going on in the child’s life. This is where the school plays an important role. A child’s educator is with him/her almost as much as the parent and therefore may be able to detect symptoms a child is showing. The education discipline definitely sheds light on autism because the school may be the first to detect a problem with a child. Psychology is also important in that people who are experiencing problems will go see a counselor or psychiatrist so that they can receive help. However, I believe the most important disciplines are communication and communication disorders because these people are the ones who develop therapies to help people with autism deal with their disability. They are the ones who teach them how to communicate better, how to make eye contact, to control their tantrums, etc. These two disciplines have a great impact on people with autism.

Another factor that has a great impact on autism, and disabilities in general, is the way in which our culture explains the causes of these disabilities (God’s will, reincarnation, witchcraft); the images disability evokes (the sick, deformed body); and how they are described (crippled, invalid). These elements combine to produce the ways in which society is socialized to perceive disability (Charlton 68). It is because of this that we have children on the playgrounds that call each other names and isolate the "crazy" or "weird" or "funny-looking" children. American culture has come a long way with disabilities, however society has been slow to accept autism, in particular, partly because of lack of understanding the disability and lack of research.

Until we change as a society and learn to better accept "the crazies," it will continue to be difficult for disabled people to live in "our world." The media does not help out society’s acceptance of people with autism. Melissa Bee points out in her article, "Living with Autism," that in many movies autistics are seen as mentally defective freaks who are rejected by society. They are then sent to institutions and lack the care, love, and respect that should be afforded to every human being. In each film, the individual is forced to fight for independence and establish some form of normal existence and acceptance from everyone around them (Bee). Williams’ biggest battle is exiting "her world" and entering "our world." Maybe it was not only her problem, but everyone’s problem-society as a whole. In order to help people who have disabilities in their journey into "the world," society must learn to better accept disability, particularly autism.

Blind

1. Sightless.
2. a. Performed without preparation, experience, or knowledge, made a blind stab at answering the question.

b. Performed by instruments and without the use of sight, blind navigation.

3. Unable or unwilling to perceive or understand, blind to a lover’s faults.
4. slang: drunk ("Blind").

The dictionary provides multiple meanings for blindness. The definitions are a representation of how many people look at blindness. It is a condition that is many times misconstrued or ignored. There are many degrees of blindness. Many people do not realize that there is a significant amount of people affected by the condition. They are blind to the experiences of the sight-impaired and what needs are required for them to live in society. This outlook has changed as people have grown to accept disability.

The first definition provided for blind, sightless, is a perfect example of what Stephen Kuusisto points out as a common misconception. In his book, Planet of the Blind: A Memoir, Kuusisto states that there is no in between with the condition of blindness, "one sees or one does not see" (Kuusisto 5). This is the way that many people perceive blindness. However, there are many different types of blindness and many different degrees of it. The National Association of the Blind provides seven causes of blindness. The first type is a cataract, which occurs when protein clumps together and blocks light from reaching the retina, thus affecting vision. The second type, glaucoma, is the deterioration of the optic nerve, which eventually leads to loss of peripheral vision. Retinal detachment is when the retina has been pulled away from its original position. One of the leading causes of blindness, diabetic retinopathy, is a result of complications from diabetes. Another leading cause of blindness is macular degeneration. It occurs when the macula, the portion of the retina responsible for clear sharp vision, deteriorates. Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive eye disease that leads to the loss of peripheral vision. Lastly, nystagmus is characterized by an involuntary movement of the eyes, which could cause a reduction of vision or be associated with other conditions that limit vision ("Types of Blindness").

Kuusisto is not completely blind; he is affected by nystagmus. Kuusisto uses the metaphor of a kaleidoscope when describing how he can see. He can see the array of colors, yet he cannot make out a picture. Also, he is able to read if he holds the book very near to his face. This is very different from someone who has lost all sight. Kuusisto is able to perceive objects and his surroundings better because he has a minimal amount of sight. Each individual’s experiences vary depending on how he/she is affected by the condition.

Many people are affected by blindness. For example, approximately 1.3 million Americans are legally blind (American Foundation of the Blind). Since the population of the United States is approximately 281 million, that is a significant amount. American citizens do not realize how much of our population is disabled. Disability in the United States is a taboo topic. Some would say that it is disregarded, but maybe the problem is mere ignorance as to how to treat the disabled population. A good example of this is how literally derogatory comments are accepted in our society.

The second definition provided for blind is "performed without preparation, experience or knowledge, made a blind stab at answering the question" ("Blind"). When comments like the example above are made are the blind being perceived as unprepared, inexperienced or unknowledgeable? The next definition provided for blind defines it as "unable or unwilling to perceive or understand, blind to a lover’s faults" ("Blind"). Are blind people incapable of understanding? Both of these definitions could be understood as portraying the blind as stupid. The effects of losing sight do not include brain loss or loss of the ability to understand.

Drunk is what is provided for the slang definition of blind ("Blind"). Yet again, we have a definition that does not relate to blindness whatsoever. It is merely a demonstration at how our society humiliates the disabled. Do blind people look drunk when they are walking? Is that why blind is used for drunk as slang? Although, it is outdated for this generation. Perhaps that is a sign that our society has changed its outlook on blindness.

Outlooks and attitudes are not the only aspects of society that have changed. Some cross walk signals have been changed so that they are not dependent upon sight. Some fair job opportunities are available now, and occasionally, words on signs have been enlarged for the sight-impaired and schools are more accessible to the blind (Americans with Disabilities). These may be minor changes that are not very common; still they are signs that the American society is progressing. Individuals in society have begun to recognize their role in the lives of the blind. Disciplines such as biological research, nursing and even business can be crucial to blindness. Scientists research for ways to cure blindness or at least improve the condition. Nurses are responsible for the care of blind people. Their job is to make sure that blind people may live their lives in the best way possible. Nurses have become more versatile and are prepared for a variety of patients. For example, many speak multiple languages including sign language. Then, there are businesses, which have begun to provide more accessible stores, restaurants and daily commodities. Disciplines such as these have progressed with society and realized that their jobs directly affect blind people on a daily basis.

When looking at the progress that America has made with blindness, one realizes how bad the country was before these opportunities arose. James Charlton put the status of the world into perspective, "I have seen and felt how disabilities are treated. In the most obvious and subtlest ways, these conditions cry out for attention and are, in themselves, a fundamental critique of the existing world order" (Charlton 5). The many that were affected by blindness at whatever degree suffered a great deal when there were no opportunities available for the disabled. Now that America is working toward equality, more and more opportunities present themselves for the blind. America still has many changes to make until society reaches equality, but it is on the right track.

These days, I "Tell all the Truth-," in accord with Emily Dickinson’s instruction, "but tell it Slant-" more literally than Emily ever envisioned. Unless you’ve got a bad back, you’re probably reading this sitting down. Look up from the page. Look around. Imagine that this is your angle of vision not just until you decide to get up and walk to the kitchen for a cup of coffee but forever. . . the world you see from it is definitely different from the one you see when you’re standing (Mairs 16).

Nancy Mairs tells how multiple sclerosis has changed her life in her autobiography, Waist-High in the World. Living in a wheelchair, Mairs has a different perspective of the world-one that is waist-high. She shares with the audience how this affects her life and how others treat her. Individual responses to Mairs’ condition are the typical comments that most who suffer from mobility impairment receive. These comments express sympathy and awe for her ability to live in a wheelchair. Mairs’ response, like any other’s would be, is that she does not have a choice-multiple sclerosis is her; she does not exist without it. Disability is never a choice; it is a part of life.

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the nerves of the eye, brain, and spinal cord. Mairs experiences the effects of her deteriorating nerves. She cannot perform the simple tasks that everyone else takes for granted. She cannot dress herself, give herself a shower, or even lift herself off the toilet. She can perform minor activities, such as feeding herself, however she knows the day will come when she cannot do that. Other types of mobility impairment include spinal cord injuries, which are usually caused by accidents, Epilepsy, a physical condition caused by a sudden change in how the brain works, Cerebral Palsy, which affects the muscles and the senses of the individual, and Arthritis, the inflammation of a joint ("Mobility").

Individuals who suffer from mobility impairment in the beginning experience a decrease in strength or endurance. Symptoms progress to the presence of pain or discomfort, the impaired ability to recognize familiar surroundings, nervous system problems, and problems with muscles or bones. Mairs recalls her younger years when she was not aware she had multiple sclerosis and now can see the first signs of the disease. She remembers not being able to swim or bike as far as the other girls at summer camp and through adolescence drug herself from class to class and then from work to the house. Mairs had a limp that she did not even notice she developed and an ankle that she turned and merely blamed it on bad shoes (Mairs 20).

As those who have mobility impairments experience these symptoms, they begin to encounter many professions in the medical field as well as other fields. Doctors play an important role in their lives as they diagnose patients’ impairment and prescribe them medicine, etc. Therapists participate in patients’ daily lives in that they provide physical therapy. The business discipline is very important to those with mobility impairment because it is business’ responsibility to accommodate for wheelchairs, canes, and other devices required for mobility impairments. Another significant discipline is justice systems because this is where the disabled can find out what rights they have and what they can do to fight for more rights. Individuals with mobility impairment may encounter the communications discipline, in that communication sometimes becomes a problem for them.

Many times those who are in a wheelchair feel neglected because individuals either speak to them from their "superior" level, or completely ignore them. Mairs gives personal accounts of times when her husband and she have been out and she feels like she has to yell at people to get them to look at her. People pass without acknowledging that she exists. After stating that people with disabilities are invisible and anonymous, Charlton uses Ralph Ellison’s famous passage from Invisible Man to express how the disabled feel. "I am an invisible man. No, I am not a spook. . . . I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids-and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me" (Ellison). This is an issue that individuals with mobility impairment fight for. They would like an increased knowledge about proper etiquette on meeting someone who has mobility impairment. Some aspects of this include: extend a hand to the person you are meeting, speaking directly to the person who is mobility impaired, consider sitting down while speaking to them, it is acceptable to use words like walk or run, do not speak in a loud voice, and do not give help unless it is asked of you. In Waist-High in the World, Mairs asks the reader to imagine staying in his/her sitting position forever. Being at half the level of a standing person when talking to them one begins to feel inferior. This is why sitting down would be a good suggestion. Many times when eating at a restaurant, waitresses will approach the table and say, "What does she want?" addressing the spouse, friend, child, anyone but the individual in the wheelchair. Contrary to popular belief, many individuals with mobility impairment can think for themselves and order a meal on their own. They simply want to be directly talked to, not ignored.

Along with better treatment in society, mobility impaired individuals would like better accessibility to public transportation, adaptive devices, and community volunteer and aids ("Easy riders"). In Nothing About Us Without Us, Charlton points out how sparse accommodations are for the disabled, "Appropriate support systems and technology such as brailling equipment and computers, wheelchairs and prosthetics, sign-language interpreters, and rehabilitation and psychiatric services exist but are available only to a small percentage of people with disabilities." (Charlton 87) Society has gone so far as to create the technology, machines, and devices necessary for the disabled-the next step is making them available for everyone no matter what income they make.

Individuals with disabilities are merely asking for society to squat, sit down, cover one eye, whatever it is that will allow it to see the world through the eyes of the disabled. Society needs to move beyond the sympathy and pity and start treating those with disabilities like any human being. Individuals with disabilities are asking for the treatment and opportunities that every person deserves. They want to be seen and heard-they are not invisible.

Whether the disability is mental retardation, hearing disabilities, mental illness, autism, sight disabilities, or mobility impairment, the situation is the same. We see throughout this paper many similarities in the way individuals with disabilities are treated in society and what is available to them. Society has recognized the mistreatment and has made progress toward equality for individuals with disabilities; however the American society still has progress to make. It takes each individual, each family member, and each discipline to participate in order to accomplish equality. It should not be a difficult task because what needs to be distinguished is already there. The term "people with disabilities" expresses exactly what they are-people, just like you and me. "We" are not so different from "them." So why are our worlds so different?

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