Disabled, Discouraged, and Disproportionately Discriminated Against
As my focus group for community observation, I chose to focus on the physically disabled community. I used the subreddit r/disability to conduct my observation. This community is unique because it consists of people who’s ailment can affect their physical ability to participate in society, rather than it being a consequence of societal prejudice or injustice. The reason this group intrigued me was because I didn’t know much about it, in contrast to some other common marginalized communities which I’ve had more contact with and conversation about. I rarely meet disabled people and I don’t have friends in this community, although they are visibly present in society. This community has been marginalized by American society due to societal expectation to be able to contribute in social and work life in some ways this group physically cannot, and they face a lot of healthcare discrimination, as well as having lacking legal rights in comparison to other groups. On top of that, they are at heightened risks to be victims of crime, as well as discrimination from other people due to their perceived disability, or even the lack of its perception. They are constantly overlooked, dismissed, and discouraged in our society, and I hoped to learn more about their experience and how to tackle the oppression they constantly and consistently face at the hands of an unjust society.
Present from the beginning of time, physically disabled people have been continuously neglected in the society around them. Though this differs in society to society, for example, Japan having extremely accessible train systems and streets, other societies falter in creating an equitable space for this community, as mentioned in the article Japan: Accessible travel guide overview, where the author states “I noticed a few distinct accessibility differences between Japan and the USA… For one, Japan is the originator of using tactile paving (truncated domes) on sidewalks and train stations to help the blind navigate. Often, these truncated domes led to an elevator, which is a handy tip for those with accessibility needs.” This leads to many disabled Americans actually moving out of the country to receive better care. They have been continuously neglected by the american medical services, as quoted in the article The Challenges of Living with a Disability in America, and How Serious Illness Can Add to Them, “A lot of the people I know have wheelchairs that are falling apart. Their chairs are literally being held together with duct tape and wire. These individuals have been denied approval for a new chair because of some arbitrary five-year magic window.” This neglect creates situations in which many physically disabled people are forced to use physical crutches beyond their expiration date. Sadly a consequence of being physically disabled also adds much risk to attain serious illnesses, where this neglect by the medical systems in the US create even more concerning and out-right inhumane conditions for these individuals. Disabilities are often expensive, and when you are in the intersection of poverty and disability, this creates situations in which disabled people are more likely to stay poor due to their disability. Disabled people also face a lot of discrimination from other people, being targets of crime and harassment. In a book titled Tackling Disability Discrimination and Disability Hate Crime : A Multidisciplinary Guide a disabled person tells his own experience, “When I get on the bus, I look out for groups of young people and if I think I can see a person who might protect me, I will get on the bus. If not, I will get on the next one.” This is due to years of abuse he experienced, including verbal abuse on the streets as well as getting eggs and tomatoes thrown at him. The extent at which humans can be cruel to those they deem inferior is truly shocking and heartbreaking.
I observed the community on and off for about a week, going on the subreddit at least once every two weeks and checking out posts and responses to them. The community is brought together by sharing the status of having a temporary or permanent physical disability. They interact with each other due to their shared experiences, struggles and discrimination, which brings them closer together because it is hard for the extent of their issues to be understood by people who don’t have a physical disability. They can also have community within their family, since disabilities can be hereditary. However the opposite can occur and they can encounter discrimination in their own homes, as seen from an example in my research where a person shares their experience being neglected by their primary caretaker, who is their mother. The person in question didn’t even have their own room for 6 months, and when they did, the room was inaccessible to their wheelchair. Even after months of pleading, their room was never rearranged to be a comfortable space for them to live in. I cannot imagine what it must be like to not be comfortable in the space you are permanently in for an extended period of time, when it isn’t too complex to rearrange to suit your needs. In another post regarding familial abuse a user posts about their mother continuously asking them to sit up straight or adjust their posture when their disability makes them physically unable to do so for extended periods of time. The impact it must have on someone’s mental health is unsurmountable. This provides some context to why some studies have shown disabled people to be 2 to 10 times more likely to be depressed. Their unique circumstances provide more difficulty navigating mental health, on top of their physical disability and increased risk for illness, as quoted in the article Depression and Disability; a Practical Guide. The community does not appear to have leaders, in relation to its very large member base (54k users) and the forum-style posting. Every post has different people interacting with it, although it maintains a largely sympathetic and positive environment throughout the user-base. The pinned posts seem to be more so directed at able-bodied people, instructing on accessibility, rather than being a guide or information base for disabled people. However, the rest of the forum is focused on individual experiences with disability, and all that is regarding it. For example, there is a section with resources for disabled people, ranging long and wide from medical resources to housing resources, as well as informational guides. Laws are also very regressive for people with disabilities, meaning that if they want to continue to have disability support they are only allowed a certain amount of money in assets, and earnings. One user quotes that he receives $1370 a month and is not allowed to have assets over $2000, and that his dreams of getting engaged to his girlfriend seem impossible because of that. Getting married may also mean that they lose their health insurance and support for many disabled people. This creates a truly saddening situation for them. People in this community address each other with kindness, offering advice or sympathies, and sharing similar experiences. The only rule for the subreddit is to show tolerance and avoid infighting, a term common on the website which means aggressive behavior towards other people in the community. There isn’t much insider language except for the general consideration that “disabled” isn’t a bad word and that alternative words like ‘differently-abled’, ‘special-needs’, and ‘handicapable’ are reductive, demeaning, and unacceptable terms coined by outsiders. General behavior in the community consists of rants, concerns, questions, and jokes.
One surprising aspect of the community is its resilience and support despite the challenges faced by its members. The sense of camaraderie and understanding among individuals who share similar physical disabilities is evident in their interactions. The positive and sympathetic environment within the community is noteworthy, considering the significant societal and healthcare challenges faced by disabled individuals. I was intrigued by the depth of the personal experiences shared within the community. The platform serves as a space where individuals can express their frustrations, seek advice, and share both the positive and negative aspects of living with a physical disability. The diversity of experiences within the community, including familial dynamics, healthcare struggles, and societal discrimination, adds a rich layer to the understanding of the challenges faced by disabled individuals. The disturbing aspect lies in the systemic neglect and discrimination faced by the physically disabled community. From inadequate healthcare services to regressive laws limiting financial independence, the community members confront numerous obstacles. The instances of familial neglect and abuse mentioned in the posts shed light on the challenges not only in broader society but also within the personal spheres of these individuals. The limitations imposed by societal expectations and legal frameworks contribute to a cycle of hardship that is disheartening. In conclusion, the observation of the physically disabled community on r/disability provides valuable insights into the lives of individuals facing unique challenges. The community serves as a vital support system, fostering understanding and connection among those who often feel marginalized in society. However, the observation also highlights the systemic issues and discrimination that persist, affecting the quality of life for disabled individuals. It underscores the need for broader societal changes, improved healthcare services, and more inclusive legal frameworks to ensure a better quality of life for the physically disabled.
Works Cited
Paul Giannasi, and Robina Shah. Tackling Disability Discrimination and Disability Hate Crime : A Multidisciplinary Guide. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2015. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=972500&site=ehost-live. (CUNY DATABASE)
Olson, A. L. (n.d.). Japan Travel + wheelchair accessible overview guide. wheelchairtraveling.com. https://wheelchairtraveling.com/travel-guide-japan-wheelchair-seniors-disabled-tips/#:~:text=I%20noticed%20a%20few%20distinct,for%20those%20with%20accessibility%20needs.
Seervai, S., Shah, A., & Shah, T. (2019, April 16). The challenges of living with a disability in America, and how serious illness can add to them. Commonwealth Fund. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2019/apr/challenges-living-disability-america-and-how-serious-illness-can
Thompson, K. (2000). Depression and disability: A practical guide. PsycEXTRA Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1037/e614852007-001
