Blogging against disablism

My good friend Sally who writes the fantastic Sally's World blog has alerted me that today is blogging against disablism today.

Discrimination is the practice of treating people differently on the basis of distinctions made without regard to individual merit. Examples of categories on which social discrimination is seen include race, religion, gender, weight, disability, ethnicity, height, employment circumstances, sexual orientation and age.

Discrimination towards disabled/special needs people occurs everyday through our actions, assumptions we make and through our systems within our society.

• How often has you looked at that naughty child that a parent couldnt control and needed discipline? Did you consider that the child may have had autism or behaviour problems?
• How often has you caught yourself staring or aviod eye contact withsome who has a serve disability?How do you feel this made that person feel?
• Have you ever confused disability with intelligence?
• Do you feel that people who have disabilities contribute to our society?

I have the pleasure while being education of reading two great blogs that talk about the issues people face when living with special needs/ disabilities. I have realised that I in the past has been ignorant of the issues they face on daily basis. Our society as a whole seems to view people who fall into these groups of having a lesser life than the rest of us.

The blog sphere has provided a voice to people who live in this world. It provides a channel to educate and change the mindsets of people who do not life with disabilities, up close and personal.

Discrimination will always exist where there is ignorance and education is the key to fight the battle. Listening and reading peoples experience who life live with disabilities can help us better under what we can do to reduce discriminatory behaviour.

Please check out tow great blogs that I have been reading :

Sally's World - Talks about the daily life as a mother raising three children, one being special needs.

The gentle giant - Erin's story raising her autistic daughter Abby.

In the future I hope to continue to work along side Sally with her charity to bring greater awareness to a wider audience the issues of disability in the family and the wider society.

We will welcome your support and any suggestions.