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The True Capabilities of Disabled Persons

Do you ever wonder what that person you see with a disability is really capable of? Do
you just feel sorry for them because you feel that they are less privileged than you are? A lot of
people look down upon people with disabilities instead of actually wondering what they could
really do in their lives. Instead of helping the disabled persons around them, they leave them
handicapped. Even though some people believe that disabled people have a limited
amount of abilities , people with disabilities are just as capable as anyone else because they
are able to accomplish many things and achieve great success but do not have as many
opportunities, they do not have enough support from the people around them, and what
you might see as a persons disability could truly prove to be their strength.
There is an act that was passed called The Americans with Disabilities Act. This act
prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public
accommodation, communications, and governmental activities (dol.gov). Even though this act is
in place, the very things that are prohibited, are still being abused today. Disabled persons still
face discrimination. One of the worst places they face it is in the work force which is indeed
holding them back in their lives. Also the people around them do not always provide them with
what they need to be successful so they fall behind.
Currently people with disabilities do not earn as much as persons who are fully capable
when it comes to employment. They are also less likely to be employed than Americans without
disabilities. The unemployment rate for people in America with disabilities is almost double the
rate of Americans without disabilities. The unemployment rate for people in America without

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disabilities is 7.7 % while the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 14.7%.

The graph shows the percentages of disabled people in North Carolina and its
neighboring states. This graph shows how there are still a significant amount of disabled persons
who struggle to find jobs. The data shows that it is hardest for disabled persons to find work in
Georgia.

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Most employed Americans with disabilities earn a salary of under $25,000 per year. It is
said that workers with disabilities earn $0.75 for every $1 earned by workers without disabilities
(aapd.com). This data proves that when it comes to the workforce, disabled people are not
prioritized and are last resorts. It also proves that disabled people are not given the same
opportunities. Since disabled persons are not given the same opportunities when it comes to
employment, it makes it harder for them to succeed and achieve success in their lives.
Part of the problem is discrimination, and part recent court rulings favoring employers in
ADA lawsuits. Discrimination against people with disabilities is, unfortunately, alive and well,
despite the legal prohibitions against discrimination in hiring people with disabilities. Seventynine percent of disabled people who are unemployed cite discrimination in the workplace and
lack of transportation as major factors that prevent them from working (accessiblesociety.org).
Discrimination also is a major factor in limiting the opportunities of disabled persons. The
Americans With Disabilities Act is supposed to protect disabled persons from discrimination, but
even so, it is still prevalent. When disabled people are discriminated against, they can lose their
employment to other more capable workers. They can also have trouble with getting to and
from a job. This proves that disabled persons are faced with limit opportunities.
Most Americans who require long-term services and supports, they have to rely on
Medicaid to meet their support needs(LTSS) Even if disabled persons are able to find
employment, they can face the risk of losing their long term health care. Disabled persons
usually are faced with more hospital visits and medical needs than others which can prove to be
very expensive. If they were to lose their health care, the hospital bills they face can end up being
more than the patient can actually afford. This also limits their opportunities because disabled

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persons would only be able to search for certain jobs at certain pay because if the pay they would
receive is too much, they are at risk of losing their free health care.
Disabled children are also facing challenges when it comes to opportunities. Disabled
children do not have an option to dictate what goes on around them and what kind of care they
receive. This affects their opportunities because they are just going along in their lives, but
really they are not able to express how they feel about things and can not say what they feel may
be able to better themselves. Rebecca, a young disabled VIPER researcher, said: 'If more
services took account of young disabled peoples views in decision making, we would have
better and more effective services. Currently young disabled people are not having the
opportunity to have their say and this needs to change.'(qtd. childrenssociety.org.uk)
Disabled persons tend to not get enough government support, even though they tend to
need it more than others. When trying to get support, it can take a long time because disabled
persons apply for services, they can be put on a waiting list (dspd.utah.gov). Services should be
offered immediately to disabled persons because since they make frequent visits to the doctor, or
they may need in home help from certain agents, they need extra funding. If they do not have
that extra funding they want be able to obtain the services they need.
People with disabilities can do more than you think. Their disability may actually prove
to be their strength. Since they have to work harder to accomplish certain things, characteristics
that are more prevalent in them are things such as determination and perseverance. People with
disabilities are also independent, creative, problem solvers, kind, caring, loving, inventive,
outgoing, shy, knowledgeable, and intelligent (victimsofcrime.org).
There are also many successful people who have disabilities, but it did not handicap
them, it helped them push forward and work harder to accomplish their goals. Actor RJ Mitt has

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a condition called cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscle
coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain
before or at birth. Noting this, many people who suffer from this disease would probably have
extra trouble doing the "normal" things people do daily. Some would maybe even give up and
not try certain things. RJ Mitt says, "I have cerebral palsy (CP) but I've never let it hold me back.
Thinking back maybe this was a lesson I learnt from my granddad, who was a Marine. When I
was growing up, I was never allowed to say the words "no", "can't", "won't" - it was always yes,
yes sir! (RJ Mitt)" He also said that when people said he would not be able to things, he always
remembered what his grandfather told him and kept pushing. This shows that he had
perseverance and motivation. RJ Mitt was also able to get acting roles in movies and shows due
to his disability. "I wouldn't be in the position I am in today without my disability and be able to
utilise what I know about living with CP for my role in Breaking Bad. My disability may have
helped me get the part of Walt Junior, but it wasn't a free ride. I still had to work for it and it was
tough - I auditioned five times! (RJ Mitt)" This shows that his disability was actually able to help
him gain a successful career.
There is also a woman by the name of Marianne Hche. She is a 50 year old operations
manager in a Danish design company. She was in a car accident during a military affair and
became paralyzed on the left side of her body due to a spinal cord injury. After her injury, she
began to pity herself and overeat which led to her gaining a lot of weight and just sitting at home
suffering. When she got support from her friend and doctor she made a change in her lost and
lost the weight she gained. Then she went on to become a triathlon runner and one of the top
paratriathletes in the world. My sports mean everything to me both physically and mentally.
Ive gone from feeling like the poor disabled obese failure of a human being to the the person I

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see in the mirror now who is a strong athlete that is an inspiration for many people. My disability
has suddenly become my strength and the foundation for my new identity - instead of an obstacle
and an excuse for a bad lifestyle. (Marianne Hche) This also shows how even though people
have disabilities, they can change them into strengths and accomplish things.
Some sources argue that disabled people only have limited abilities. Lorie Block argues
that some people think, People with disabilities are different from fully human people; they are
partial or limited people, in an "other" and lesser category. As easily identifiable "others" they
become metaphors for the experience of alienation. (Lorie Block) This argument fails to cover
how much disabled people are able to accomplish. It also fails to cover how disabled people are
equal to everyone else and technically are given the same rights as others, even though their
rights are not always fairly exercised.
People with disabilities are just as capable as anyone else because they are able to
accomplish many things and achieve great success but do not have as many opportunities, they
do not have enough support from the people around them, and what you might see as a persons
disability could truly prove to be their strength. In the past, disabled people have not had much
help and have had many negative stereotypes. Today people need to open their eyes and realize
that disabled persons are very capable and really no different than normal people. In the future
society must accept disabled people and give them the equal rights that they are entitled to.

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Works Cited
"The Americans with Disabilities Act." The Americans with Disabilities Act. Web. 3 May 2016.
"Americans with Disabilities Act." United States Department of Labor. 09 Dec. 2015. Web. 3
May 2016.
Block, Laurie. "Education: Essay." Disability History Museum--: Disability History Museum.
Web. 3 May 2016.
GIVING HARDWORKING AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES A CHANCE AT A MIDDLE
CLASS LIFE. Aapd.com. Web. 5 May 2016. <www.aapd.com>.
Hche, Marianne. "My Disability Became My Strength." Invictus Games Foundation. Web.
2 May 2016.
Mitte, RJ. "Disability Isn't a Weakness - It Should Be Seen as a Strength." The Huffington
Post UK. 04 Dec. 2014. Web. 3 May 2016.
"Research Exposes Lack of Chances for Disabled Young People to Participate." The Children's
Society. 04 Feb. 2013. Web. 4 May 2016.
"Services for People with Disabilities." Services for People with Disabilities. Web. 6 May 2016.

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