Common stereotypes

• Having disability is a tragedy.
• People with disability are:
  • objects of pity and charity
  • passive and dependent and lead boring, uneventful lives
  • chronically sick or unhealthy
  • not providers of expertise, services or assistance to their families and communities
  • always on income support. Many work in a range of professions and pay taxes
  • people with limited interests
  • superhuman if they achieve everyday tasks
  • extraordinary if they have romantic partners, marry or have children. Also don’t assume that if someone does not, it is because they have a disability. People make these choices for a wide range of reasons.
  • asexual by default. As in the general population, asexual people with disability exist and are valid. However, assuming that disability equals asexuality is problematic.

Source: A Way with Words: Guidelines for the portrayal of people with a disability (PDF 911.5 KB)