Disability Advocate Lisa Cox Busts Five Myths

Lisa Cox spent the first 24 years of her life without disabilities; she understands it can be difficult when you genuinely want to do or say the ‘right’ thing to someone with a disability but just don’t know what that is.  

There are a few myths she wants to straighten out around disabilities.

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to engaging with a person with disability; every individual has their own strengths and weaknesses, just like in the rest of the community.

Myth 1: It’s easy to identify someone with a disability

As many as around 90% of disabilities are not easily identified when you look at the person. It’s true that some mental disabilities are easy to recognise, but conditions like ADHD, autism, a number of brain injuries and acquired disabilities are impossible to spot straight away. They might become apparent over time as you get to know a person, or, they may just tell you straight away – everyone is different. The important thing is not to make assumptions after you find out someone has a disability.

Lisa has both invisible and visible disabilities but for her, it’s what you can’t see that is far more challenging than what you can see.

Myth 2: Accessible restroom facilities are exclusively for individuals in wheelchairs

Yes, these restrooms are designed with more space to enable the wheelchair user to access them. But they’re not exclusively for this purpose. Others who have a disability and benefit from more space and additional privacy include those with a colostomy bag, which may require cleaning and running water in privacy. Adults with autism that still require assistance to use the restroom, also, benefit from some additional space and privacy. You don’t need to understand someone’s disability to empathise with their need for disabled restrooms, dignity and privacy.

Needing extra room to park your shopping trolley, trying on your latest purchases, having sex and ‘stinking up’ the accessible toilet instead of your usual restroom are all situations she’s encountered while busting to pee!

Myth 3:  Workers with a disability are less reliable

Workers with a disability sometimes have additional commitments outside of the workplace. Kidney disease patients require regular visits to their dialysis clinics, those with autism might require additional downtime to rest, and a number of other conditions require people to check in with their medical caregivers regularly for treatment and assessment. This does not make them less reliable as employees. These individuals are often more tenacious, determined, and dedicated to their roles in the workplace. Employers that afford these employees some flexibility are likely to enjoy unprecedented loyalty and dedication in return.

Myth 4: People with disabilities dislike children asking questions about their disability

This is often untrue, but not always. Some people prefer not to discuss their disability while others are very happy to educate others on the way in which they live. Children that are innocently curious don’t personally cause me offence. It’s quite natural for youngsters to question everything and be non-judgemental. Adults that want to respect the disabled person’s preferences is welcome to ask if the recipient is comfortable with the questions before telling a child to stop asking questions. Hushing a curious child in public is unnecessary and does not convey respect, contrary to popular belief.

If in doubt, simply ask yourself, “would I say this to a non-disabled person?” For example, you’re unlikely to approach a stranger and ask them directly about a personal and private matter. So please pay people with disabilities the same courtesy and respect. It’s common sense and good manners.

Myth 5: Disabilities are acquired at birth

Not all disabilities are acquired at birth. Injuries caused by car accidents, illnesses and other mishaps account for a fair number of disabilities as well. One type of disability is not really ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than another and no two people with the same sort of disability will necessarily have a lot in common other than their medical diagnosis. All disabled people have unique backgrounds, interests and  stories, whether they were born with a disability or acquired it later on.

Lisa doesn’t blame people for being a bit confused sometimes. As a disability advocate. sometimes she’s not sure of the right or wrong way.

As a communications professional, she know an abusive Twitter rant wouldn’t have helped her to better understand disability when she was able-bodied and it won’t help you now. Please feel free to contact her with your thoughts and by all means, disagree with her if you’ve has a different lived-experience. We all learn by respectfully sharing.

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