Presenter(s): Di Li
Oral Session 4 M
How does disabled life differ in other countries? Disabled people who are living in China are unfortunately not supported by the government, communities or organizations. Even in daily life, they are facing social discrimination, poor accessibility and public inconveniences. The majority of disabled people in China are unemployed and have an average annual income of just 655 USD. They are not considered part of society and simple things like access to a handicap bathroom or equal educational opportunities are unfortunately not always enforced. Ableism is when you discriminate against people with physical or mental handicaps and show a preference for able bodied individuals. In this poster, I will evaluate the current situation of ableism in China. As an educator, I want to actively change my students’ perception about disabled individuals. I believe educating people on the realities of living with disabilities can positively affect and change the current situation. For example, in China the disabled are referred to as “残废”. “残” means disabled, “废” means rubbish or garbage. I will address this hurtful terminology and also other ways educators should challenge ableism concepts and teach their students to embrace diversity. Society should not be evaluated by its wealth, but instead how it treats its citizens. Sympathy cannot change the fundamental concepts of ableism. True change is needed to create a healthier environment for disabled individuals to improve their daily life and sense of independence.