- Knowing correctly or properly how to work and interact with people with disabilities is understandably difficult if you have never experienced it before.
- But there are ways to create a more inclusive and tolerant space for them by empowering themselves with information.
- Some of the things you can do include focusing on these individuals’ strengths and abilities rather than their disabilities.
- Ask questions before helping someone, and use language that is neutral, respectful, and non-offensive.
People living with disabilities strive every day, sometimes against exceptional possibilities, to be seen as productive and worthy members of society.
“In general, however, people with disabilities are highly competent and able to perform most tasks given to them within reason. should be respected and appreciated for” healthcare company Novartis.
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According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, medical disparities among people with disabilities often lead to premature deaths, sometimes as long as 20 years.
Limiting factors listed include negative attitudes of healthcare workers, presentation of medical information that is difficult to understand, and difficulty in accessing healthcare providers.
Governments are responsible for making policy changes and ensuring implementation to improve the status of persons with disabilities. According to the African Journal of Disability, grassroots people are feeling the impact as policy decisions are not prioritized during development, implementation and monitoring.
“These include poor access to supportive services due to inefficient procurement systems, staff shortages, transportation challenges, and poor socioeconomic conditions of patients, as well as other factors that impact how people with disabilities access health care services. are evident in the barriers they experience in clinical practice, and these are widely documented,” reports the journal.
“More efforts need to be made to strengthen policy implementation, and this can be addressed by raising health care providers’ awareness of the policy and ensuring adequate resources to facilitate policy implementation. increase.”
Dube explains that medically speaking, disability by its very nature is a highly advanced health problem, and unfortunately people living with a disability are at a much higher risk of contracting other ailments. As such, they need frequent, personalized care from specialized health care providers.
“Change always starts with recognizing that problems exist. As a society, we raise awareness about the topic of disability, learn how to work correctly with people with disabilities, teach others, and make positive changes. It’s important to promote,” Duve says. Novartis is committed to raising awareness of disability and other public health issues and advocating for better healthcare globally, he added. It is also important, on a personal level, to participate in making the world more flexible.
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What is disability?
There are many different types, degrees and severities of disability, and each unique disability should be treated differently.
There are three main categories of disability. activity limitations, such as hearing or walking difficulties; participation limitations, such as the inability to participate in work or social or recreational activities.
Causes and risk factors for disability include diseases such as epilepsy, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. physical injuries; musculoskeletal disorders; poor overall health and weight problems; mental health problems and depression.
These can affect a person’s ability to see, hear, learn, remember, communicate, or think, and can lead to social stigma and discrimination.
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People with disabilities are also twice as likely to develop other conditions such as depression, asthma, diabetes, body aches and obesity.
proper etiquette
Dube says it’s naturally difficult to know how to work and interact correctly or appropriately with people with disabilities if you’ve never done it before. When it comes to health care workers, it is much more important to understand how to properly care for and support people with disabilities.
“It’s a delicate balance between treating these individuals the same way we treat other people, and including them in all aspects of society, paying special attention and consideration to their specific needs. One tip I usually give others is to focus on these individuals—strengths and abilities, not flaws.”
Other etiquette tips include:
- Please ask before helping someone.
- Use language that is neutral, respectful and non-aggressive.
- Find common ground and mutual interests and focus.
- Make natural eye contact at eye level.
- Don’t underestimate a person’s abilities.
- When necessary, explain complex concepts in simple terms.
- Always be patient.When
- Make facilities more accessible.
“And always remember to be respectful, treat others the way you want to be treated, and be yourself,” she adds.
Novartis’ purpose is to develop science-based innovations to create breakthrough medicines and products that deliver better patient outcomes.
Ongoing research, especially in the area of aging and regenerative medicine, aims to radically improve the health and lives of people with disabilities.
