Approximately 56 million (19%-20%) of the United States population have some kind of disability – learning, behavioral, developmental, or physical.  This constitutes the largest minority group in the country.  Disabilities have no boundaries; they cross the lines of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. 

 

A multitude  of studies demonstrate  that people with disabilities  have  the highest  rates of  unemployment and poverty and the lowest level of education  of  any  minority  group; are twice as likely as the general population to be the victims  of  violent  sexual  assault  and  other violent crimes; are  far  more likely than people  without disabilities  to be excluded from social and professional opportunities; and are teased, bullied, and harassed at work and in school.  Moreover, students with disabilities drop out of school at an alarmingly high rate, exhibiting very early the three markers of  drop outs (absenteeism, failure in English and math, and serious behavioral issues).  And the exclusion of young people with disabilities from social activities can lead to potentially irreversible psychological damage. 

 

In all, a disability has a widespread short- and long-term impact on a person’s level of achievement and safety, treatment, acceptance, and economic well-being.  It has been demonstrated that these problems can be mitigated by disabilities awareness training that changes attitudes and brings respect, understanding, acceptance, and opportunity to people with all kinds of disabilities.  Treatment of people with disabilities is a civil rights issue, and awareness is just a start.  

 

 top