peak up when you hear negative words, stereotypes, myths, or misinformation about people with disabilities. Advocate for barrier-free environments to provide equal access and opportunities.  Write to editors and producers in support of positive portrayals of people with disabilities in the media. Your actions can help change attitudes that create barriers.

Myths About People with Disabilities

• • Common Myths
    

  • Myth: Only a small number of
    people live with a disability
    Truth: One in four American adults have a disability. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Myth: People with disabilities are brave and courageous.
    Fact: Adjusting to a disability requires adapting to a lifestyle, not bravery and courage.

• • Myth: People with disabilities always need help.
    Fact: Many people with disabilities are independent and capable of giving help. If you would like to help someone with a disability, ask if he or she needs it before you act.

• • Myth: The lives of people with disabilities are totally different than the lives of people without disabilities.
    Fact: People with disabilities go to school, get married, work, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh, cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, vote, plan and dream like everyone else.

Myth: Wheelchair use is confining; people who use wheelchairs are “wheelchair-bound.”
Fact: A wheelchair, like a bicycle or an automobile, is a  personal assistive device that enables someone to get around. It provides freedom for mobility. People do not have to be paralyzed to use a wheelchair.

Myth: People who have developmental disabilities do not have the same feelings as people without disabilities.
Fact: All people experience similar emotions, whether they express them the same way or not.

Myth: Only people with mobility disabilities have an accessible parking placard
Fact: There are many conditions beyond visible mobility impairments that necessitate a parking placard

• • • • • Myths and Facts About People with Disabilities
        • 5 Myths And Facts About Inclusion
        • Common Myths and Misconceptions About Disability (PDF)

• • Employment Myths

    • • Hiring People with Disabilities – The Myths Versus Reality
      • Debunking the Three BIGGEST Myths about Disability Benefits and Work (SSA)
      • Debunked: 4 Myths About Disabilities and Employment

• • Housing Myths

    • • Housing for people with disabilities 

• •  Learning Disabilities Myths

    • • LD and ADD Myths

• • Mental Illness Myths

    • • Mental Health Myths and Facts
      • Six Myths and Facts about Mental Illness

• • Internet Use Myths

    • • *

• • Special Education Myths

    • • Myth vs. Fact: Special Education

• • Sexuality Myths

Myth: Most people with disabilities cannot have sexual relationships.
Fact: Anyone can have a sexual relationship by adapting the sexual activity. People with disabilities can have children naturally or through adoption. People with disabilities, like other people, are sexual beings

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