Acceptance of one's disabilities and social acceptance of persons with disabilities

Abstract

People with disabilities experience two kinds of distress. One originates directly from their disability or disabilities, and the other derives from the social treatment accorded to them as a disabled individual. The palliative method for coping with the former type of distress is acceptance of one's disabilities, although this may involve numerous methodological difficulties. The palliative method for dealing with the latter form of distress is social acceptance of persons with disabilities. Many approaches have been devised to secure such social acceptance, and collectively these have resulted both in improved social participation by persons with disabilities and, as a by-product, easing of the distress originating from their disabilities.