History of Developmental Disabilities

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Dr. Kiesling, from the Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, talked to us about the history of developmental disabilities and its importance in helping us educate and properly address the needs of our future clients when we become practicing occupational therapists. My heart aches for those individuals who had to endure the inhumane treatment forced upon them in the early 20th century. They weren't seen for who they were, and worse, they weren't even seen as people. They were burdens and inconveniences to everyone around them and the first and only option for treatment was sending them away to institutions. Knowing the dark and malicious history allows us to humbly appreciate how far we have come and visualize how far we need to go for this population.

 Something that really stuck with me from this presentation was the Capitol Crawl during the Disability Rights Movement that started in the 1970s. They did something truly eye opening. With their wheelchairs behind them, they crawled for equality. I can just imagine the horror and guilt felt by those who had not even thought twice about adding a simple ramp to a sidewalk. This ignorance is widely held by those not reminded daily of their inabilities. The only cure for this ignorance is advocacy and education on the topic! That is exactly what those activists did on March 12, 1990. This led to the passing of the American with Disabilities Act in 1990.

For the past few years I have been working with The Arc NWMS, a social services organization for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. At most events, we play and work on socialization skills, but once in a while I get to teach "life skills". The Arc provides a Job Readiness Program, which teaches teenagers with disabilities life and job skills! For a couple of their classes this past summer, they came to my family's business, Bare Bath Essentials. Here, I got to teach them about time management, cleanliness in the workplace, and manners when talking to customers! It was incredible seeing some of them so excited about working, while others were groaning about it - if they only knew! If it weren't for those brave individuals advocating for their rights just 30 years ago, these opportunities for individuals with disabilities wouldn't be available today! I hope I can use this knowledge and perspective to educate or empathize with my future clients!

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