Community Living Ontario

We all have labels.  I am an employee, a daughter, a driver, a friend, and a committee member – just to name a few!  I’m lucky; at this point in my life I have more positive labels than negative ones.  But negative labels were once very big in my life.  They still are for many people who have a disability. 

Many people have a picture in their mind about how other people should act and behave.  When someone doesn’t match that picture, they are made fun of, disrespected, and even bullied.  I know.  When I was in school, I was called names and was even beaten up a couple of times because I was different – at least to some kids.

People don’t realize how much damage their words and actions can cause.  They don’t realize how much it hurts. 

Is this right?  No!  Should we allow it to continue?  No! So what can we do about it?

First of all, we should start in the schools.  We should do away with segregated classes.  When people are labeled and put in these classes, they are looked at as different by the rest of the students and teachers.  Many people are capable of learning – it might take us longer or we might learn it differently, but we can do it! 

Second, we should begin educating students, teachers and principals.  We need to get people who have been in school to speak at assemblies to talk about what their experience was like, tell students why it was bad, and what they can do differently to make school life a better experience for everyone.
Third, parents can be the best advocates.  Sometimes I had problems on the bus.  I always asked my parents, especially my mom, “What can I do?”  My mom stood up for me, listened to what I went through, and battled the school bus lines to get help for me. She would call the principal and let him know what was going on too.  She always advocated for me. 
It doesn’t stop at school.  Children should have fun and play together.  Whether it is riding their bikes, playing hide and go seek, or swimming in a pool, children should see each other as playmates.  Now that’s a great label!   
Employers should hire people of all abilities.  Get rid of the negative label such as disabled, and use positive labels such “go-getter” or “positive role mode”. 

My advice is this:  Take the time to be a friend.  Get to know someone and understand their gifts.  We all have them.  Someone may not be able to write very well, but they might be really fast on the computer
 
We need to take this problem head-on.  Some people don’t like change but we need to challenge them to look at themselves and what they believe.  We must come up with ways to improve the lives of people so that they are welcomed and included in schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.  If we don’t, what label will we have?