I define culture as the norms, laws, and taboos that govern a group of people in distinct ways from other groups thus giving them a unique identity. Considering African Americans, Native Americans, and Mormons as distinct cultural groups is reasonable. These groups have unique cultural practices and identify themselves as distinct from others based on those differences. Disability culture also fits within this definition.

People with disabilities must learn to negotiate in a world that constantly reminds them of the privileges they do not have. They are not able to sit anywhere they please in a restaurant or movie theater. Getting on a bus is a constant reminder that the world must make concessions to give you access to things others take for granted. The adjustments disabled people make to achieve self-reliance require managing adversity most of us privileged people probably cannot endure.

Scholars, even some who are disabled, consider disability from the medical model or social science perspective. They easily fall into the trap of using stereotypes from early literature and movies about disability. The result is an overemphasis on abnormalities, defects, invalid, or even monstrosities in explaining disability. Even the seemingly innocent Telethons signify that “normal” people must help make the disabled as “normal” as possible even though for many this is unrealistic and unhelpful.

People with disabilities prefer self-reliance and a positive sense of self–just like the rest of us. Many take on strategies proven effective during the civil rights movement to build and maintain a healthy sense of self. Once derogatory words, such as “cripple,” “crip,” or “gimp,” are now accepted and used as self-identifying labels among some in the disabled community, according to Peter Monaghan, a disabled studies professor. They do this to promote a positive sense of self within disabled culture.

Diversity trainers can help in the effort to promote self-reliance and self-esteem within disabled culture and society in general.

1. Seek ways to include disabled culture in your work.

 2. Point out the strengths of disabled people.

3. Educate others about disabled culture.

4. Learn more about disabled culture and practices (e.g., over the internet and at conferences).

5. Use self confrontation techniques to help people critically think about their disabled stereotypes.

6. Have resource information for disabled people who can benefit from social support or people who want to learn more.

7. Consider your own disadvantages and try to relate to disabled people’s experiences.

8. Immerse yourself in disable culture by attending a conference, meeting, or a community event.

9. Study the strengths and weaknesses of one or more disabled services.

10. Look within your own family for a disabled person and study how the family treats them.