Yvonne Tibbitts shared the following with me:

Kathie, here are more examples of  "Good Intentions are Actually Pulling Us Backwards"...

The city I live in considers itself very progressive for "including" people with different needs, yet their idea of inclusion is to have segregated events running parallel with the original event. The city offered an Easter Egg Hunt, and according to their website, people should look for the balloons marking the different age groups (Red: 1-2 years; Blue: 3-4 years; Pink: 5-7 years; Purple: 8-11 years; Yellow: Special Needs All Ages). Why is it okay to separate children with disabilities from those without disabilities? And why are children without disabilities put in different age groups, but children with "special needs" are all lumped together regardless of age? Does having a disability somehow make them all "the same" in age? I guess they assume it's okay for a one-year-old with a disability to be with an 11-year-old with a disability! Here's the link: http://www.cityoftemecula.org/Temecula/Visitors/Events/Springfest/Spring+Egg+Hunt.htm

Some people here also LOVE the concept of the "Exceptional Diners" program which includes "preferred seating areas" for families of kids with autism so as not to bother other restaurant patrons and to get their food faster! My family will not be sitting in the Special Ed Corner of any restaurant! We've spent many years teaching our son proper restaurant etiquette and we will sit alongside everyone else! Here's that website: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/temecula/article_ec9513f9-276c-57bc-81e5-4d19b6d4ae17.html

I think these practices are very dangerous because, to the general public, they present the impression that (1) people with disabilities WANT to be segregated and (2) people with disabilities NEED to be segregated.  The organizers may have good intentions, but the general public will undoubtedly perceive that segregation is acceptable so long as it is well-meaning.  Sadly, they may also assume that people with disabilities are incapable of learning good manners or social skills.

Thanks again, Kathie, for your insights and the minds you open up—you do make a positive difference!
Yvonne Tibbitts

April 26, 2011—©www.disabilityisnatural.com, All Rights Reserved