5 Ways to Empower People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Perhaps you don’t have any idea how to do it, perhaps you have a few ideas but you’re not sure how to implement them, perhaps you feel guilty about it–but, hey, in a society where all sorts of disabilities are stigmatized, it’s not so much your fault. You can always learn how to be more sensitive to the real needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and even become that person who inspires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build confidence and foster talents. It’s a learning process and we’re so glad you’re here. The following list is all about the basics to help you get started.
Explore Disabilities to be More Responsive to Individual Needs
Not all disabilities come with the same context, the levels of independence or the levels of demands can vastly vary. With some effort, you can learn about specific disabilities and become supportive of a person in your environment who deals with a specific disability. It’s a way to empower yourself and empower that person at the same time. You’re empowering them by showing a genuine understanding of their needs. You’re empowering them by showing genuine interest. You’re empowering them by caring!
Make a Checklist of Inclusive Points
Say you are hosting your birthday party, and let’s say one of your friends has difficulties walking or is in a wheelchair. How accessible is the party venue for your friend? Not just the entrance, but also the restroom, and the food and drinks stand? Or, say that one of your guests is blind and has trouble finding their way through new venues. Have you considered finding someone to navigate them through the place? Or let’s say one of your dear guests has an intellectual disability and has a strong reaction to loud music. How will you solve this? Have you thought about having a silent disco party? The techniques you use to make an activity inclusive all will emerge from your knowledge of people’s needs. Thoughtful inclusiveness empowers people as it shows them your respect for their needs and boundaries.
Support, Don’t Take Over Control
Possibly the worst thing you can do, that can crush empowerment in a second, is trying to do things for people with disabilities when they’re capable of doing it themselves. Don’t impose your assistance if you are not asked to assist–it’s as simple as that. Otherwise, you could be interfering with the person’s autonomy. Respecting people’s efforts to do things on their own and trusting one’s capabilities is what helps. And, you’re still there if things get rough.
Bear in Mind that Disabilities Don’t Define a Person
Imagine if people saw you just through one lens. Say if people judged you by, for instance, your hair color or your feet size. Sucks, right? Same as with everyone else, people with disabilities are complex beings with their dreams and fears, with their likes and dislikes, with their jokes and their stories. When talking to a person with any sort of disability, give them space to highlight things that do not relate only to their health problems.
Join People with Disabilities in their Fight Against Discrimination
Sometimes people shy away from engaging in struggles against the discrimination of people with disabilities because they fear that others would say: But you‘re not disabled, what the heck are you doing here? You‘re trying to make the world a better place, that‘s what you are doing. It‘s everyone‘s duty to stand against discrimination. Whenever you hear someone making an insensitive or otherwise inappropriate comment, react. When you see that there‘s a protest against this sort of discrimination, join it or even offer your help with the logistics. Knowing that they have honest allies can make people with disabilities more powerful.
To wrap it up, you’ll empower people with disabilities if you boost your knowledge, become more sensitive to their needs, support them without trying to control them, remember that everyone is a complex human regardless of their disability, and be vocal against the discrimination of people with disabilities.
The list doesn‘t end here, but it’s a good start.
About Stephen’s Place
Stephen’s Place is an independent apartment community for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, located in Vancouver, WA (7 minutes from Portland, OR).
If you have a loved one with developmental or intellectual disabilities, who is looking for a community to live in, please contact us for more information.
Stephen’s Place is a private-pay apartment community due to our state-of-the-art amenities and programs. We are a nonprofit and do not profit from our community. We are private pay because we spend more than some housing communities to ensure that our residents are comfortable and can safely live their lives with independence and dignity.