Lesson 3 Homework activity handout
Myths and reality
Use this table as a questionnaire. Ask your friends and family whether they agree with the statements that appear in the myths column. Record if they agree or disagree with the myth in the tally columns.
Myths / Agree / Disagree / Reality – the truthAll disabilities are obvious / Not all disabilities are obvious, and many disabilities cannot be seen. There are many people that you would come into contact with that have a disability that you would not know about.
Everybody who uses a wheelchair uses it because they cannot walk. / Many people who use a wheelchair do so for many reasons not only because they cannot walk. For example, some people with cerebral palsy who can walk use the wheelchair sometimes because they have trouble with their balance.
People with a disability only want to hang out with each other. / The reason most of us make friends with particular people is because we get along well with each other and have common interests. People with disabilities are no different. Most like to have a range of friends including those with and without a disability.
Most people with a disability have special gifts or abilities. / The range of abilities is the same as in the general population.
People with disability have trouble hearing. / Some people yell or raise their voices when talking to someone who is blind, in a wheelchair or have some other sort of physical disability. When communicating with someone with a disability speak in a normal tone of voice unless they ask you to speak louder.
People with a disability lead vastly different lives than people who do not have a disability. / People with a disability go to school, get jobs, get married, have families, pay taxes, and do the same things that are important in all other people’s lives.
People with disability are sick. / A disability is not necessarily a sickness. Many people with disabilities are healthy and free of disease.
People with disability need sympathy. / People with disability do not need sympathy or pity. They also don't need to be told that they are brave or courageous for living with a disability. Some young people with disabilities are brave, some are not, just like everyone else. People with disability do not need to be treated as children, they need opportunities to maximise their independence.
- Which myths were considered true most often? Which myths were clearly considered not true most often?
- What can you tell me about the attitudes of the people you questioned from this activity?