The invisible disability

When we meet someone for the first time we have this preconceived idea of the kind of person they are.  We judge people all the time, whether we admit to this or not, it is woven into the fibers of our DNA.  Is this individual rich or poor, religious or secular, or politically affiliated with the right or left?

When it comes to visual disabilities we also judge.  Were they disabled from birth?  Was it a car accident? Brain injury or disease?  In addition, we can see there disability so we try to offer our assistance when we see they are struggling.  We try to be more sensitive to their apparent needs.

Or so I thought.

I was on the telephone today with one of the departments of the Ministry of Motor Vehicles in Israel.  I was desperately searching for the operator who could best help me in making an appointment for Ayal to take a the handicapped driver driving test (it has only taken us seven years to start this endeavor).  Instead of pressing numbers to get to the right department I was only given the option to speak my request.  All I could think as my blood was boiling, was that this was certainly not very handicapped friendly!

A few days later, I phoned United airlines customer service.  The same story.  In order to get to the appropriate department the only option was speech recognition.  It is evident that this is a global problem that is screaming for organizations to eradicate this speech recognition requirement. 

I often ask people what they picture comes to mind when they hear the word 'handicapped'.  The #1 answer is a wheelchair-bound. The second and third most common responses are being blind and hearing impaired.  When I ask people who are wheelchair bound -- and can't use their upper extremities for communicative purposes, can't speak or write -- if they could have back one of their faculties which one would they choose?  Without hesitation, most individuals express their desire to get back their ability to speak.  

This highly debilitating disability is rarely talked about unless someone in Hollywood, the music industry, or political figure has a stroke or head injury.  Yet, there are over a million people in America alone, who suffer from Aphasia.

The fact is our society is not well informed.  There is not enough awareness despite the fact that many organizations and support groups are trying their best to get the word out to the public. Many handicapped people cannot push the buttons on a phone, but many others cannot speak clearly enough to use verbal-only cues. Organizations have to stop and consider who their customers are before offering only one means of communication. Handicapped people want and need their independence.

Is it not obvious that there is an additional disability missing from this picture which translates; "The staff is available upon request".

This endeavor is not easily attainable just as Rome was not built  in a day. I have my ideas.... but that is for another day.