Politics And Disability Issues
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Every so often, disability issues come to the forefront in politics; at other times, though, this type of issue is definitely on the back burner as other supposedly more pressing issues become apparent.
Education
It is during the times that disability issues have been most visible that great strides have been made. For example, it wasn't too many years ago that children who were disabled physically but could go to school perfectly well were nonetheless deprived of a fair and equal education as compared to their more physically able peers.
Legislation in the 70s and early 80s made that a significant issue, so that today, children with disabilities now are guaranteed a "fair and equal" education no matter their physical disability, up through the age of 21.
Research into cure
At other times, it's taken a celebrity to experience a significant disability and therefore bring issues to the forefront so that research gets done in the field.
For example, when actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident in 1995, he became the face of quadriplegia and spinal cord injury; ultimately, his injury and his subsequent work in the field of spinal cord injury has led to great strides in ultimately improving and maybe even curing the sometimes significant disability that comes about because of spinal cord injury.
Equipment helps, too
Politics isn't just about visibility and cure in regard to disability, though. It's also about making sure that those who are disabled have everything possible they need to function just as they are until a cure comes along.
That means, new and better equipment is needed so that functioning in daily life is as easy as possible, whether or not a cure is found in someone's lifetime. That means that equipment and other developments are as necessary as the drive for a "cure."
What does this all mean, though?
Unfortunately, visibility in politics translates into funds for these types of things to happen. Across the board, money is needed for everything in this area, from newer and better equipment, to public education, to making sure that a proper education is provided to every child who needs it, to management or even cure for the diseases and accidents that cause disability.
That means that when this is not a huge issue in politics, funding, in general, is cut. When it becomes more visible, funding, in general, is expanded. And of course, it's generally cyclic in nature, with one Presidential administration versus another taking a greater or lesser interest in disabled rights and issues, so that the change happens from one administration to the next.
Of course, though, politics can also happen on a much more local issue, and that's where you come in.
If you're someone who thinks these issues are important, you can be an activist at your level, locally, to make sure that the funding is provided for those things that are needed.
Less prejudice, too?
Another, perhaps less thought of benefit to greater visibility is that in fact when this happens, prejudice and other less than stellar behaviors from the public based upon misinformation tend to go down. So staying involved in politics to make sure that disabled issues stay in the forefront is good for everyone.
Every so often, disability issues come to the forefront in politics; at other times, though, this type of issue is definitely on the back burner as other supposedly more pressing issues become apparent.
Education
It is during the times that disability issues have been most visible that great strides have been made. For example, it wasn't too many years ago that children who were disabled physically but could go to school perfectly well were nonetheless deprived of a fair and equal education as compared to their more physically able peers.
Legislation in the 70s and early 80s made that a significant issue, so that today, children with disabilities now are guaranteed a "fair and equal" education no matter their physical disability, up through the age of 21.
Research into cure
At other times, it's taken a celebrity to experience a significant disability and therefore bring issues to the forefront so that research gets done in the field.
For example, when actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident in 1995, he became the face of quadriplegia and spinal cord injury; ultimately, his injury and his subsequent work in the field of spinal cord injury has led to great strides in ultimately improving and maybe even curing the sometimes significant disability that comes about because of spinal cord injury.
Equipment helps, too
Politics isn't just about visibility and cure in regard to disability, though. It's also about making sure that those who are disabled have everything possible they need to function just as they are until a cure comes along.
That means, new and better equipment is needed so that functioning in daily life is as easy as possible, whether or not a cure is found in someone's lifetime. That means that equipment and other developments are as necessary as the drive for a "cure."
What does this all mean, though?
Unfortunately, visibility in politics translates into funds for these types of things to happen. Across the board, money is needed for everything in this area, from newer and better equipment, to public education, to making sure that a proper education is provided to every child who needs it, to management or even cure for the diseases and accidents that cause disability.
That means that when this is not a huge issue in politics, funding, in general, is cut. When it becomes more visible, funding, in general, is expanded. And of course, it's generally cyclic in nature, with one Presidential administration versus another taking a greater or lesser interest in disabled rights and issues, so that the change happens from one administration to the next.
Of course, though, politics can also happen on a much more local issue, and that's where you come in.
If you're someone who thinks these issues are important, you can be an activist at your level, locally, to make sure that the funding is provided for those things that are needed.
Less prejudice, too?
Another, perhaps less thought of benefit to greater visibility is that in fact when this happens, prejudice and other less than stellar behaviors from the public based upon misinformation tend to go down. So staying involved in politics to make sure that disabled issues stay in the forefront is good for everyone.