Do you consider yourself to be disabled?
This phrase appears on many job application forms, usually as part of an equal opportunities form. Questions cover things like nationality, gender and sexual orientation.
I wonder about this question. What does this mean? In this context what does the word disabled mean? What does the word 'consider' mean?
I am visually impaired, I know that I can't see as well as most other people, I know that, for example, I'll never be able to get a driving licence. I know that I probably won't recognise a close friend, my wife or one of my children if they approach me in the street unless they call out “Hi Mark, it's X". I know that I need my computer screen to be very close to me and even as I write this I have the font size set to 24.
How to respond?
So, back to the question - “Do I consider myself to be disabled?”, how should I respond? I recognise that I have limitations and face challenges that many don't. I know that I can't really do many of the things that fully sighted people can do easily. But, do I feel disabled? I don't really know what it is to consider myself disabled. I lead a pretty full life complete with all the joys and frustrations that other people face but, what does it actually mean when it says “do you consider yourself to be disabled?”
Do I face challenges? Do I find some things difficult? Would I prefer to be able to see better? Well, yes, to all of the above. But, do I consider myself to be disabled...
About Mark
Mark was born with an eye condition and so has never known full sight.
Read Mark's full profile |
List all Mark's posts
Mark's RSS feed |
Comments
-
Disabled or a disabled person. There is much in the question and I doubt that many in HR (Human Resources) would have a clue about how we perceive ourselves. I lost my sight 11 years ago and face this internal challenge every day. On a busy tube train I accept a seat if offered but would refuse if at say a social gathering. Horses for courses and while I may reflect on being disabled there is too much to enjoy.
Posted by Prof Whitestick , 30 May 2012 (12 months ago)
-
I love the article. I like hearing other peoples opinions on disabilities.
When you look at it, everyone is disabled in 1 way or another. For example, my brother cannot build a jet airplane. If I ask my sister to rebuild a carburetor in a car she can't do that. So, I believe disabilities are actually limitations that must be overcome.
My vision is extremely low. Through training and just plain determination I have overcome most of those limitations. I have accepted the ones that I cannot. The ones that I cannot overcome, are ones that involve the safety of others. Like driving. I could get behind the wheel and move that car! But I would probably hurt someone. So there I have a limitation that I do not choose to explore or over come at this point because I don't want to hurt anyone.
I constantly explore new technologies to overcome other limitations. 1 year ago, I was not online, I did not have a computer! Now I am all over the web! My android, with all of this speech to text and text to speech features ok, wow!
I think when you said, you lead a full life. That's it! My life is more full, than most people who think they don't have disabilities! Because I have to recognize my disabilities! I have to find ways to overcome them! They think it is normal to be disabled. They think it is normal not to know how to build a jet airplane. They think it is normal to not know how to rebuild a carburetor. I think it is normal to have extremely low vision! It is just 1 of the curves in my road, hard road of life. Everybody has to negotiate that road! I want to negotiate it with compassion and understanding. I don't want to take anything for granted.
Thank you, for your wonderful article! :-) Thank you, for giving me a chance to think! :-) And another chance to be thankful for what I do have! :-)Posted by K e n, 30 May 2012 (12 months ago)
-
Hi folks
Thanks for your comments, encouragement, wisdom and good old common sense! It's great to read them. Thank you.
All the best.
MarkPosted by Mark Kendal, 30 May 2012 (12 months ago)
-
Hi, I've just lost the sight in my left eye thru a thrombosis. I'm new to all this stuff but interested how people are feeling and coping. I'm on medication to save my right eye. I'm a bit worried about that but trying to make sense of whats going on now. I'm struggling with spatial skills. I'm a foster carer and I'll work as long as I can. I'm a bit nervous near roads and bumping into people. I'm going a bit slower these days. I'm a usually active 54 year old.
Posted by Tina, 31 May 2012 (12 months ago)
-
Hi Tina,
Thanks for your comment. You don't say where you live, but have you been in touch with your nearest Action team? All contact details are on this site. Let us know how you are getting on.Posted by Action for Blind People , 31 May 2012 (12 months ago)
-
I recently lost the sight in one eye and have severe floaters in the other. At present I struggle with day to day tasks as I'm regularly dizzy and have problems with bright light. Compared to my life prior to my visual problems I would say yes, I do feel disabled. But then when I think about what I can still do (albeit at a slower speed or taking up more inner strength and resolve) I'd have to say no I'm not disabled - just struggling to cope with a change in circumstances.
Posted by Emma , 6 June 2012 (12 months ago)
-
ther's one thing for sure, this government will not consider you of limitted capability when they get rid of DLA & judge that in some way blindness is just a state of mind that in time will be something to overcome.
Posted by derrick, 6 June 2012 (12 months ago)
-
Hello, I agree with everything you said, and it sounds like we have about the same level of sight. I always wonder on app forms what to tick, but these days I do actually tick it. But that's partly to do with a disclosure thing because I hate employers second guessing but not directing the obvious, sometimes thinking I just need glasses, which can be infuriating when you're wearing contact lenses.
Posted by L, 6 June 2012 (12 months ago)
-
I suppose each of us in a different place and I think we find ourselves in diferent places at different times in our lives. If I suddenly lost the sight that I do have in one or both of my eyes I'm sure I would feel disabled, at least for a time. However, I was born with the eyesight that I have and although it has deteriorated a little over the years it's essentially the same. So, I've always felt like this. I still marvel at how much sighted people can see though. Soneone looks over my shoulder as I use a Pc and can read more from the other side of the room than I can from 15cms!
Sometimes I feel strong and don't feel like anything can stand in the way of my hopes and aspirations. At other times I get frustrated and disappointed over the smallest set back. That's just being human!
I agree about ticking the box though. In practice I do too but it's still an interesting question.
I really feel for folks who face uncertainty and a fear of losing more sight. I think other of the bloggers on this site have faced that and can share that experience.Posted by Mark Kendal, 10 June 2012 (12 months ago)
-
No I don't consider myself as a "disabled" person but I am a person with an impairment. Hence having pressed the bell for my bus stop and the driver goes past he is told in no uncertain terms to stop the bus. As to accepting seats there is nothing wrong with my legs - people usually laugh when I say that.
Posted by Eddie, 10 December 2012 (6 months ago)
