Showing Respect
Over the last two years I have spent hundreds of hours volunteering with several organizations whose primary function is providing resources for the intellectually disabled. I have observed much passion, kindness, and care.
During outings the response of the general public has been very interesting. Sometimes they respond as they would to anybody: they will acknowledge with a smile or they will ignore us. Other times the individual will say hello and continue walking. Many times they want to engage but do not know how--they just stand there with a goofy smile and start talking to the "normal" one accompanying the group.
The responses I find most troubling are from those who should know better because they are parents of a disabled individual or are trained staff members. In situations where participants or clients are being transported, I have observed all the staff sitting together in the front with the disabled ones in the back. Another thing is staff members talking among themselves instead of engaging with the clients. I have been troubled too many times by staff behaving like fools trying to get a response from a disabled person they encounter in public, or parents speaking to their adult children like they were a three year old.
Last year at one organization, I asked for a name badge so that I could be recognized as a staff member when we were on outings. After wearing the id badge a few times, I quit wearing it. I realized that the real reason that I wanted the badge wasn't just to inform the public that I was a caring individual that gave of my time to help the less fortunate, but to make sure that they did not think I was one of "them."
If I really believe that the intellectually disabled are 'just people" like I have said on so many occasions, then I should be pleased and proud to be counted among them.
During outings the response of the general public has been very interesting. Sometimes they respond as they would to anybody: they will acknowledge with a smile or they will ignore us. Other times the individual will say hello and continue walking. Many times they want to engage but do not know how--they just stand there with a goofy smile and start talking to the "normal" one accompanying the group.
The responses I find most troubling are from those who should know better because they are parents of a disabled individual or are trained staff members. In situations where participants or clients are being transported, I have observed all the staff sitting together in the front with the disabled ones in the back. Another thing is staff members talking among themselves instead of engaging with the clients. I have been troubled too many times by staff behaving like fools trying to get a response from a disabled person they encounter in public, or parents speaking to their adult children like they were a three year old.
Last year at one organization, I asked for a name badge so that I could be recognized as a staff member when we were on outings. After wearing the id badge a few times, I quit wearing it. I realized that the real reason that I wanted the badge wasn't just to inform the public that I was a caring individual that gave of my time to help the less fortunate, but to make sure that they did not think I was one of "them."
If I really believe that the intellectually disabled are 'just people" like I have said on so many occasions, then I should be pleased and proud to be counted among them.
posted by Arthur Seale at 9:32 PM
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