People with disabilities aren’t any less capable of greatness than people without disabilities. When given the treatment that they deserve in workplaces, schools, and overall accessibilities, those with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed. However, having a disability comes with its fair share of frustrations caused by other people, ignorance, or strict limitations. By knowing some of these daily frustrations faced by people with disabilities, you can do your part to create a more accessible world for everyone—young, old, and in between.

Their Disability is Attributed To Laziness

Calling someone lazy for problems caused by their disability isn’t just wrong, it’s downright insulting. Have empathy for the problems that other people face, even when you’ve never experienced them yourself. Believing someone with a disability when they say they can’t do something or were slow to do something due to their disability can build trust.

While some people will call disabilities “excuses” or “laziness” directly to the person with a disability’s face, others may do it without realizing it. For instance, a ramp to avoid stairs isn’t a lazy way to go up a level—even calling an elevator lazy can make someone with a real disability feel frustrated. Understand the purpose of accessible architecture or utensils before labeling them as being for lazy people. Their jobs are to make tasks easier for people with disabilities to complete, and if the accessibility tools get the job done, then they’re successful.

Commuting with a Disability

Workers with disabilities need to get to and from work just like anyone else. Unfortunately, many areas in the commuting world aren’t designed with accessibility in mind. The ADA requires workplaces and schools to be as accessible as possible, but this sadly isn’t always the case. Though many buildings are accessible for employees with disabilities, finding places that are inaccessible is more common than it should be. Another issue with commuting is the travel itself. The fast-paced commuting world frustrates many people with disabilities every day—both the transportation itself and the other people who treat them poorly.

Drivers with disabilities face plenty of issues as well. Other drivers may discriminate against them due to their accessible parking placard. In some cases, people without disabilities will fill accessible parking spots and force someone with a real disability to park elsewhere. Driving during hectic pandemic traffic is another issue, not to mention the terrifying problems people with compromised immunities face outside of the car.

Infantilization of People with Disabilities

Often when a person’s disability is visible to others, those without a disability will immediately jump to call them an inspiration for living with it or attempt to help unprompted. One of the most common daily frustrations faced by people with disabilities are people who call someone an inspiration for their disability, or say the much worse “I could never live like that.” It’s similar to telling them that you believe their life is an unhappy one just because of their disability. Don’t overlook someone’s accomplishments in favor of the fact that they have a disability, and only ask if they need assistance with respect—not by talking down to them—when you see them struggling or if they approach you first.