Social Justice
DISABILITIES
What does being 'disabled' mean?
Being disabled means not being able to do things that other people of the same age can do.
In these examples, although they are each disabled, their disabilities have very different effects on their lives.
Most people who have a disability will be able to do lots of normal things, and have lots of fun and enjoyable times. But some of the time, life can be difficult and unhappy for them.
Some people with severe disabilities, who need other people to look after them all the time, may not be able to show when they are feeling happy.
When there is a child in the family who has a disability it can be challenging for all of the family - including the child who has the disability - and other children in the family.
When people are unkind
Sometimes people are unkind when they are faced by something or someone different. You may need to help a person with a disability to cope with this.
Sometimes people are unkind when they are faced by something or someone different. You may need to help a person with a disability to cope with this.
- Find out how to cope with teasing about your friend with a disability and help them and yourself deal with it. People often tease or don't know what to say when they meet up with a disabled person.
- Tell people when you think they are unkind, then tell your teacher about it.
- Talk with your class and decide together how you will deal with people staring or making remarks about someone with a disability . Think about what you could say, and how to say it without getting angry or upset, eg. "David has a disability and sometimes he shouts when he gets excited. He is not being badly behaved."