How much do young people know about disability?

Understanding can be shaped by direct experience but many people do not know anyone with a disability. Start a discussion with young people about disability issues.

A survey released earlier this month by disability charity Scope showed that almost 40 per cent of people don’t know anyone who is disabled, and a massive 90 per cent of people have never had a disabled person over to their home for a social occasion. Start a discussion with young people about disability and how it affects people’s lives. How much do young people know about disability?

Ask young people if they know a disabled person. What disability do they have? How does it affect that person and the lives of those around them? Do any young people themselves have a disability? If they’d like to, ask them to share their experiences. How do they feel about living with disability? Do they find it difficult? Why? Are young people with disabilities given the same opportunities as everyone else? How do young people think disability is perceived by society? Are disabled people socially excluded? Do people with disabilities face prejudice? Are people treated differently if they’re disabled?

Read more here: Talking Point: How much do young people know about disability? – Children & Young People Now.