Prejudice and the Disabled Person
By Alberto E. Castillo Moreno, OP In our society, many types of prejudice exist. The Larousse
Dictionary includes various definitions: "To judge things before
knowing them or without having all the necessary facts; opinion or
judgment on something before having a true knowledge of it;
prejudice that manifests itself in the form of antipathy toward
individuals, groups, races, nationalities, ideologies, etc."
We generally think of prejudice as being against a specific race
or culture, and that the effects of this harmful custom involve not
only the group, but also injure any individual belonging to this
group.
Even when our society has overcome some prejudices against
classes and races, we are unable to avoid the tendency which still
exists to feel prejudice toward certain groupsspecifically, toward
persons with different abilities. Many people do not like to deal
with disabled persons and often treat them as though they don't
exist. But perhaps the worst insult of all is to refer to them as
"special people." It is a fact that persons who have suffered the
loss of a limb or have a problem with mobility are not
"special"they are just human beings who have suffered a
neuromuscular or skeletal problem.
The way this prejudice can be overcome is by means of effective
communication. Many persons are afraid to enter into conversation
with disabled individuals, perhaps because it makes them think
about their own vulnerability.
As with any group against which there is prejudice, there are
many erroneous ideas about disabled persons. For example, there is
the idea that most persons with neuromuscular problems are also
mentally deficient or that persons with physical disabilities are
incapable of leading a normal lifemarrying, having children, and
maintaining a home. It is as ridiculous to maintain that all
physically disabled persons are mentally deficient as it is to say
that all Mexicans are mariachis.
Unfortunately, this tendency toward prejudice also impedes the
disabled person from having free access to employment. It is
believed that amputees or others with a disability are unable to
work adequately. This idea has had a very negative impact on
offering employment to the disabled.
We are dismayed to observe that many employers have reservations
about hiring persons with a disability, despite the fact that many
of them have had previous training related to the type of work
required.
As is the case with any group, it is obvious that that there are
some disabled persons who prefer not to work. Because of this,
though, much stereotyped thinking has arisen. Nevertheless, as with
any minority group, the best cure for prejudice is to develop
positive communication.
In basing our opinion about disabled persons, it is best if we
take into consideration only their merits as individual human
beings. Alberto E. Castillo Moreno, OP, has served as president, secretary, and information officer for the Mexican Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists (SMOPAC) and has taught many continuing education courses presented by SMOPAC. He also is moderator for the Spanish-language Internet-based O&P forum, “Correos en Español.” 
Table Of Contents - December 2002
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