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JuIia �traaass Third �'l�ee RAMS — Grade S Ms. Simmons Human Righ�s Essay Although stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimir�ation can be discussed in rnany areas, suc1� as race, religic�n, or economic sta�us, I am choosing to concentra�e my essay on haw these negative atti�udes ar�d actions occur irt relation to disabilities. I made this decision because T har�e a physical disability (spinal muscular atrophy, a neuromuscular disease) ar�d feel that I have tF�e most �o say about �his par�icular area. Because I use a wheelchair, I am going to base mast of my examples on my own obser�ations of how mar�y ab[e-bodied people react when they see someone �sing a wheelchair. One cammon gerteral stereotype is that peaple tf�ink those who use a wheelchair are som�how very different fram other peopfe, so much so �hat t�ey cauldn't possibly have the same interests or needs as themselves. Mare specifically, I think stereotypes such as "people ir� whee[chairs must ha�e incredibly boring and limited lives," or "they all need a great deal af help" are pretty common. Howe�er, the or�e that bathers me the most is "tY�ey're all mentally chaElenged as we11 as physically challenged." Prejudices that relate to these s��r�atypes are feelings such as "I feel sorry for thos� people," "I'm uncomfo�-tab[e around them," or "It would E�e a lot of work to be friends wi�h someone iik� fha�--I'd probably have to Ytelp �hem afl the time." The discrimir�a�ior� I ha�e noticed is not the kind that might spring to mind at first--�hings (ike� beir�g denied employment or refu�al to rent an apar�ment. i'm thir�king of acfians that are more subtl�, bu� s�ifl hurtful. Be�avior like staring at a person in a wheelchair, min�mizi�g what they say as somel�ow less important, ar not including them �ave the e�'�Fec� of saying tY�at �hey are less valuable t�an other people.