New Attitudes: A Human Right

[SARN Memo for February 4, 2009]

In many places, people with disabilities are hurt by stereotypes. In the U.S., we’re often treated as helpless, or babied as though we’re special.

But we have rights. In 2007, the United Nations passed a new law. It says people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. It says we are regular people. It says we have the right to be treated as any other person.

1. The Problem: Harmful Labels
2. What Does the New UN Law Say?
3. Group Activity: At the Movies
4. Resource

• Respond to this memo!

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1. The Problem: Harmful Labels

Sound familiar? Have you ever heard these bad ideas?

• Disability is a medical “problem” to be fixed by experts.
• We are helpless.
• We are innocent children.
• People label us as “special.”
• We are objects of fear.
• Stories and movies are full of villains who have disabilities.

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2. What Does the New UN Law Say?

Here are some of what the new law says about public attitudes (paraphrased):

• Our country must work to spread the word.
• We are regular people.
• We are not a problem. Society has a problem.
• The problem is we are treated badly and denied rights.
• We don’t need to be fixed. Society needs to be fixed.
• We are not broken. Society is broken.
• We must be included in decisions about our lives.
• We are in charge of our lives—not some experts.

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3. Group Activity: At the Movies

In your group, talk about how books and movies show disability. Ask: “Do you see people with disabilities in movies?” “Are they regular people? Heroes? Bad guys?” “What do books and movies teach people about disability?” “What can we do about it?”

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4. Resource

We Have Human Rights
(28 pp, full color)
Today’s memo is based on a dynamite new book for people with developmental disabilities. You can use it to learn about your rights. You can also use it to talk with others about your rights. It even has great exercises for your group. It’s written for self-advocates around the world.

1. Free download. Get a free download copy of the book from the publisher, Harvard Project on Disability.
2. Order a hard copy. Order hard copies of the book in volume discounts from ACT’s online catalog.

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