- Disability is not abnormality but can cause a profound sense of alienation.
- It is a dimension of human diversity, similar to race, ability, and gender.
- People with disabilities have the same inherent normalcy and contribute unique skills and perspectives.
- Acquiring a disability involves navigating complex psychological changes and societal responses.
- For those who become disabled later in life, identity is layered, encompassing both pre- and post-disability experiences.
- External societal reactions can significantly influence an individual's sense of self.
- Chronic societal stressors can constrain mental resources, affecting perceptions of normalcy.
- The main challenge is societal adaptation to diversity, not the disability itself.
- Building inclusive communities requires recognizing and addressing these psychological and social dynamics.