The word stigma comes from the Greek word for “mark.” Generally, stigma is a negative set of beliefs about people with specific characteristics. For example, ethnic or religious minorities, or people affected by specific diseases may encounter stigma.
People with disabilities have been stigmatized throughout history. In many cultures, disability has been associated with curses, disease, dependence, and helplessness.
A 2018 research exploring condition of women caring for a disabled child or relative found that the issue of disability was barely mentioned by them, stating that the presence of a person with disability in the family was not considered an obstacle itself. The real obstacle was perceived to be the others’ twisted perception of that condition. Actually, what women suffered was the social stigma – perpetrated by the family and the community – that affected both people with disability and their caregivers.
Disabled children and their families are “forgotten, neglected and often discriminated” in large parts of the world due to ignorance and stigmatization. This lead to disabled children and their relatives becoming isolated and thus “invisible”.
Watoto Ciao calls for avoiding disabled children to be neglected or at most to be sent to special homes. It rather advocates to raising them within the family.
It is true that the diagnosis of a disability used to be stigma for life. However, today there are more therapy possibilities for children and integration in the regular schools is a big step for Kenya, a country in which most disabled children currently don’t attend school in any form.
Watoto Ciao educates families to take better care of their disabled children at home. At the same time, it is trying to clear up prejudices at local schools.
Children with small disabilities are often excluded from school, because of fear and discrimination and people may think disability is a contagious disease. Building up the caregivers’ awareness is an important step, as it achieves more in the long term than the support of isolated treatment.
What to do to reduce stigma?
Stop the stigma, break the silence
Educate yourself. One of the most important things anyone can do when it comes to battling disability stigmas is to simply take the time to find out more about mental and physical health problems. …
Be supportive. …
Check your attitude. …
Spread positivity. …
Be careful with your words. …
Be inclusive.