Myths vs. Realities: What People Often Get Wrong About Disabilities

When people hear the word disability, they often picture one specific image. But disability is not one size fits all, and neither is inclusion. There are a lot of assumptions about what disability means, who benefits from inclusive programs, and how it all impacts a community. The truth is many of those assumptions don’t hold up. Let’s take a closer look at a few common myths and the realities behind them.

Myth 1: Inclusive programs lower quality for others.

Reality: Research shows the opposite. Inclusive programs are not only good for people with disabilities but are beneficial for people without disabilities as well. According to a report from Abt Associates, 81 percent of students experienced a positive effect or no effect on their education when in a classroom alongside students with disabilities. Studies even showed that in subjects like math, inclusive schools often scored higher on standardized exams.

Inclusion can also have a positive impact on social and emotional skills. Being in an inclusive environment helped people lessen their fears about differences, increased their tolerance for others, increased their sense of belonging, were less prejudiced, and responded more to the needs of others.

This is all preparation for the real world where people of different ability levels and different experiences work together. Being in an inclusive environment is an opportunity for connection and understanding that leads to a more empathetic community overall.

Myth 2: Disability programs only benefit the person receiving them.

Reality: Programs for people with disabilities strengthen families, businesses, and the local economy. While Hand in Hand participants are enjoying a night of connection and fun activities during our evening and weekend recreation programs, parents and caregivers get to take a break from their caregiving duties and have time for themselves, run errands, or spend time with other family members.

Our childcare programs allow parents to work knowing that their child is in a safe, welcoming environment. There are limited options for a childcare program that can truly offer the individualized care that many of our kids need. According to the Iowa Women’s Foundation, one fourth of Iowans live in an area undersupplied with licensed or registered childcare options. Bettendorf is considered one of those undersupplied areas. There are even fewer options for parents with children with disabilities.

The Iowa Women’s Foundation research also stated that 17,916 parents quit a job, didn’t take a job, or made a big change in a job due to childcare issues and an astounding 12,778 women said they couldn’t take full-time work because of childcare issues. Childcare isn’t just a family issue; it’s an economic issue. When there aren’t childcare slots, people can’t work.

Myth 3: Disability is a bad word.

Reality: It’s ok to say the word disability. Words matter and the words we choose to use to describe a disability are important. While often well meaning, phrases and words like “special needs”, “differently abled”, or “handi-capable” can be considered condescending or reinforcing the notion that having a disability is a bad thing. We also advise people not to refer to people without disabilities as “normal”. This implies that people with disabilities aren’t normal. If you’re comparing the two groups of people, use people with disabilities and people without disabilities.

We think Laura-Lee Minutello with Disability Right’s Florida explains the reasoning for using the word disabled best. “Members of the disability community preferring disability-affirming language is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it is a large part of the reason that laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) contain these specific terms. These laws expelled outdated and harmful language, such as the R word, and put disabled and disability in place to usher in a new era of disability rights and respect. The case for using the term ‘disability’ isn’t and shouldn’t be seen as merely a matter of preference. The words we use have the capability to shape society, laws, and inclusion, and therefore deserve careful consideration.”

Read her full blog Disability is Not a Bad Word: Why ‘Unique Abilities’ Isn’t as Nice as it Sounds.

Myth 4: All disabilities are visible.

Reality: It is estimated that 70-80% of disabilities are invisible. Autism, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, brain injuries, and Lupus are just a few of the many invisible disabilities.  You can’t see them but they’re just as real as physical disabilities.

When a disability isn’t visible, people often assume it doesn’t exist. A child who struggles with sensory overload may be labeled as “misbehaving.” An adult with a brain injury may be seen as unfocused. Someone with a chronic illness may look “fine” one day and be completely drained the next. Because there are no visible cues, others may question their needs, minimize their experiences, or expect them to “push through.” When we broaden our understanding of what disability looks like, we create space for more people to feel seen and respected and that’s what inclusion is all about.