In the community, many people do not know much about disability and have a misunderstanding of what it is like to live with a disability. Some common myths about disability are given below, together with the actual facts so that you can help to challenge these myths.

Common myths about disability

Myth 1: People with disabilities are brave and courageous.

  • Fact: Adjusting to impairment requires adapting to particular circumstances and lifestyle, not bravery and courage.

Myth 2: Wheelchair use is confining; people who use wheelchairs are 'wheelchair-bound'.

  • Fact: A wheelchair, like a bicycle or an automobile, is a personal mobility assistive device that enables someone to move around.

Myth 3: All persons with hearing disabilities can read lips.

  • Fact: Lip-reading skills vary among people and are never entirely reliable.

Myth 4: People who are blind acquire a 'sixth sense'.

  • Fact: Although most people who are blind develop their remaining senses more fully, they do not have a 'sixth sense'.

Myth 5: Most people with disabilities cannot have sexual relationships.

  • Fact: Anyone can have a sexual relationship by adapting the sexual activity. People with disabilities can have children naturally or through adoption. People with disabilities, like other people, are sexual beings.

As a health professional, you can help remove barriers by encouraging participation of people with disabilities in your community through:

  • using accessible sites for meetings and events
  • advocating for a barrier-free environment
  • speaking up when negative words or phrases are used about persons with disabilities
  • accepting persons with disabilities as individuals with the same needs, feelings and rights as yourself.
Last modified: Thursday, 17 July 2014, 1:17 AM