Challenges Faced by People with Learning Disabilities - Term Paper Example

Challenges Faced by People with Learning Disabilities In recent months, the headlines have been full of hate crimes against people with learning disability, whose population is 1.5 million in United Kingdom (Williams 2010). In autumn of 2009, for example, news spread about how Fiona Pilkington killed her teenage daughter, who had a mental problem, before committing suicide as reported by Walker (2009). The situation and recent events hints to the fact that misconceptions about and discrimination against people with learning disabilities is quite rampant in the United Kingdom. This is the situation in spite of the fact that the country has witnessed a series of high profile cases against hate crimes and discrimination. A recent poll revealed that one third of Britons have the notion that people with learning disabilities have no capacity to live independent lives or work. Nearly a quarter of the population has the imagination that such people stay in care homes. About eight percent of the population imagines that they should be receiving care in secure healthcare centre situated far away (Williams 2010). While this is the case, there seems to be a high level of awareness among people with learning disabilities in relation to the challenges they face. A study conducted recently by Turning Point, one of the leading health and social care service providers in the U.K., revealed that ninety percent of those with learning disabilities noted that they were have experienced some form of discrimination at one time or another (Williams 2010). More than half (51%) were convinced that they were the most discriminated against in the society. This percentage is evidently higher than other discriminated groups, such as gays who are at (44%), the overweight (43%), and ethnic minorities (40%) (Williams 2010). A recent survey conducted in the U.K. revealed that many adults lack knowledge on what really constitutes learning disability (Williams 2010). About thirty three percent of those surveyed thought that mental illness some kind of learning disability, while a quarter put dementia under the group (Williams 2010). These misconceptions have led to widespread discrimination against persons with learning disabilities as noted by Adam Penwarden. Some people hold the notion that those with learning disabilities are different from those who are normal, which has led to discrimination. Penwarden further notes that given the right support, people with learning disabilities can make enormous contribution in society. Some areas he points out in this respect include living independently, working, and actively participating in local community programs. Rose Monckton who has a daughter with Down’s syndrome notes that people with learning disabilities experience inaccurate and negative stereotyping. Monckton’s view is well reinforced by findings of a recent study. The survey revealed that when individuals were asked to state the characteristics of people with learning disabilities, most of them leaned towards negative characteristics such as inconfidence, poor social skills, shouting, slow speech, and aggressiveness (Williams 2010). Rarely did respondents assign desirable traits such as being warm, funny or extroverted to individuals with learning disabilities. This proves that people already have at the back of their minds how people with learning disabilities should act and behave (Williams 2010). Challenges Faced By Persons with Learning Disabilities People with learning disabilities just like those with other disabilities, face a number of challenges, one of them being discrimination (Advice Guide 2014). The discrimination that they face can be classified into two main categories; direct and indirect discrimination. Direct discrimination is a situation where a person with disability is treated less favorably as compared to someone without the disability in the same situation (Thomas & Woods 2003, p. 56). For instance in a bar, a family with a child who has Down’s syndrome may not be allowed to drink in the family room and may instead be taken to the beer garden. This shows that the family with the disabled child has not as much choice as the one without such a child. Areas in which direct discrimination is experienced are; education and training; employment; and provision of goods, to name but a few (Advice Guide 2014). Indirect discrimination, on the other hand, involve laws, rules, and regulations that put everyone at the same level and yet put disabled people in an unfair position as compared to those without disability. Discrimination does not always imply that someone or an organization has deliberately put measures to cause harassment or exclusion on someone with disability (Kasdorf, 2011). Indirect discrimination happens in situations where there is no consideration for needs of people with disability due to lack of knowledge or little knowledge in regards to those needs. An example would be if a local authority puts information on leaflets concerning its services to the local people and yet it does not publish a version that is easy to read as it tries to save money. This makes it more difficult for the individual with learning disability to enjoy services, which can amount to discrimination. Some times, disabled persons are treated in an unfavorable manner due to something that is related to their disability, without reasonable justification (Gates & Atherton 2007, p. 55).. Other forms of discrimination include harassment, victimization, and discrimination by association. An example of discrimination by association is when an employee takes disciplinary actions towards someone who takes some time off to take care of their disabled relative, yet other employees had the same amount of time off but were not disciplined. If someone is harassed because of their disability, they are justified to take legal action against the person that is harassing them. Harassment occurs when someone’s behavior towards the disabled is offensive, frightening, degrading, humiliating or distressing (Advice Guide 2014). Victimization as a type of discrimination comes about when one raises a complaint against the discrimination (Advice Guide 2014). One should not be victimized because of the complaints they make. An example of victimization is when a shop owner is sued by a customer with dyslexia, for constantly making distressful remarks about the customer’s condition in the presence of other customers. Due to this, the customer is barred from entering the shop by the owner. People with learning disabilities experience discrimination in accessing goods and services such as in public transport, banks, building societies, and hotels, among numerous other areas. An example of such treatments include when a hotel refuses to book someone with dyslexia citing the hotel’s unsuitability for such people. Discrimination in education against people with learning disabilities occurs when such individuals experience less favorable treatment. Some learning institutions refuse to give chances to disabled people due to their disability while some offer them chances but have terms that are less favorable to them as compared to normal students. Some treat disable people with less favorable approach towards other aspects of education life such as exclusion in trips and extra-curricular activities (Gates & Atherton 2007, p. 67). Other people with learning disabilities have faced total exclusion from schools (Advice Guide 2014). Employers have not been left behind in so far as discriminating against people with learning disabilities is concerned. Many employers discriminate against such people in such areas as recruitment, retention, training and promotion as noted by the Dyslexia Association (2010). Another form of discrimination faced by people with learning disabilities is dehumanization. This occurs when a person or a group holds the belief that an individual or group of people with learning disabilities is inferior, leading to their discrimination (Metta Center for Nonviolence 2014). In some cases, people with learning disabilities are treated violently (Simanowitz 1995, p. 68). Some people equate disability to extreme pain and suffering to the extent that they feel that they would rather die than live with it. This some times leads to terrible comparison as some consider helping a disabled person die an act of kindness. Due to this notion, people with disability face harm as they are dehumanized. Examples of these actions include being kept in seclusion for days and at times being strapped on stretchers. Sometimes they are treated as if disability is something to be ashamed of. This leads to dehumanization and discrimination against those with learning disabilities (Spirit of Our Time 2010). In some cases it is valid to justify the policies, regulations, and practices that lead to disabled people being disadvantaged, such as health, safety and business reasons that are unavoidable. In such cases, it does not amount to discrimination. Such areas include competitive sporting activities and employment situations in which the individual cannot meet the employment requirements (Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania 2012). Contribution of Social Work in Ameliorating the Impact of Discrimination and Disadvantage That People with Learning Disabilities Experience The main work of a social worker is to improve people’s living conditions as they assist them in getting basic needs. They work tirelessly towards ending injustices such as discriminations, oppression and poverty through such activities as education, advocacy, social and political action, and policy development and implementation (International Federation of Social Workers 2014). As previously noted, social workers play a role in helping members of society through different avenues including advocacy and person-centered care. Social workers are concerned not just about the welfare of the individual but broader issues related to social justice as noted b y Reamer (2012). In this regard, they pay close attention to the environmental factors that lead or contribute to life problems and seek to address them. Social workers contribute toward addressing issues related to social justice against persons with learning disabilities by working as community organizers, political leaders, policy analysts and social activists (Chamberlin 1990, p. 327). Social workers often focus on providing person-centered care to those under their care. What this means is that they place the service user at the center of their care. They ensure that they know the service user well so as to understand their specific needs which translates to better care (Victorian Government Health Information 2014). As they promote and facilitate patient responsibility, service users more probably will appreciate the support that they are receiving and overcome the effects of discrimination that may be directed against them. Social workers face ethical dilemmas often whenever they are dealing with service users. Simply put, an ethical dilemma is a situation where someone has to choose between two viable solutions to a problem that seem to lead to a similar ethical value (Peate & Fearns 2006, p. 87). Ethical dilemmas occur in situations where social workers have to take a course of action that is moral yet depends on two moral philosophies that are different and conflict with each other. In order to make an impact in someone’s life, social workers assess needs that are to be met, and decide how to manage risks for themselves and others. This is to be done in a manner that will balance rights and responsibilities that are in conflict. Through the relationships they build, social worker help people in evaluating where they are and work out where they ought to be. This makes them great catalysts of change. In certain situations, social workers face some of the most challenging dilemmas. For instance, an action must be taken on whether someone will be detained in a mental hospital because of their safety vis-a-vis the safety of others. In every situation, the social worker is accountable to the person, the person’s family, the community, and the legal system they are working in. Furthermore, they are accountable to their employer, as well as to themselves (International Federation of Social Workers 2014). One of the dilemmas faced by social workers is the service user’s right to self determination as noted by Corbett (2006, p. 46). A social worker needs to respect the service user’s right to determination as a guiding principle (Reaume 2002, p. 413). This simply means that the service user is in charge of their own decisions and is in a way able to find solutions whether or not the social worker agrees. The social worker may provide guidance as they help the service user learn their options, but should not let their personal opinion to influence the service user’s choices. The dilemma comes into effect when the social worker needs to act based on the service user’s best interest and at the same time needs to uphold service user’s rights to make their own choices. Confidentiality is another area of dilemma. The conflict arises between confidentiality and right to self determination, mostly when dealing with service users who are suicidal. Social workers must uphold confidentiality of a service user and must not disclose their information without consent (Corbett 2006, p. 75). They are also to respect the service user’s right to self determination. In a situation where the service user is suicidal and displays threats against harm of other people the social worker has the obligation to break confidentiality in an aim of protecting the service user and others. Every social worker has their own set of values and morals (Corbett 2006, p. 57). Though they put their best effort to keep down their feelings as they respect differences, they are always met with situations where their moral values are in conflict with those of their service users. For instance, a social worker may face a situation where they believe that people with disability should not be hidden from the public, but a mother with a child who has a learning disability would want to keep hiding the child (Miller 2014). Protection of people with disability is essential in keeping them from harm and discrimination. This calls for laws, policies and legislation that help people with disabilities such as learning disabilities. One such legislation is the Equality Act 2010; this is a means of protecting people in their places of work and the wider society (Council of Europe 2003, p. 12). Disability Discrimination legislation outlaws discrimination against the disabled people in places such as work and where goods and services are provided. Employers are required to make the necessary adjustments in areas where the disable employee or potential employee feels disadvantaged in comparison to a nondisabled person. The Public Sector Act 2011 demands that equality be honored by public entities and people occupying public offices (Mind Room 2014). This encourages good decision making as it ensures that public organizations evaluate how their decisions impact different people. This helps them to give out services that are accessible to all and include everyone. Employees must not reject the employment of someone based on their disability. They must not discriminate against disabled persons in recruitment and retention of employees, transfer and promotion, training and development, and the process of dismissal (Dyslexia Association 2014). The Education Act 2004 states that “any child who needs more or different support to what is normally provided in schools or pre-schools is said to have ‘additional support needs’ (Mind Room 2014 par. 4). This act is geared towards ensuring that all children and young people receive the necessary aid they need to reach their full potential. The act also promotes cooperation between all those offering help to children and young people with disabilities (Mind Room 2014). On the other hand, the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 is a summary of the legislation that is geared towards protecting the disabled. Its main aim is to end discrimination against the disabled. It gives disabled persons the right in certain areas such as education, employment, access to goods, and facilities and services (Indirect 2014). Conclusion There is a lot of misconception about people with learning disabilities; this has lead to them being discriminated against in many areas. Areas where people with learning disabilities have experience discrimination include education, employment and access to goods and services. Certain schools will not admit people with leaning disabilities based on their disabilities; some employers do not allow people with such disabilities to be part of their companies. A good percentage of the public is misinformed in regards to people with learning disabilities as some of them think they need to be taken care of in special hospitals. Social workers when dealing with people with disabilities are faced with dilemmas in various areas; the main areas include service user’s right to self determination, confidentiality, values and morals. A social worker is expected to uphold ethical values as they are accountable to the service user, the service user’s family and community, the employer and to them self as they uphold integrity. There a number of legislations that are meant to protect people with disability. These include the Equality Act, the Education Act and the Disability Discrimination Act. 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