Robert M. Hensel, a young man who was born with Spina Bifida once said, “There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more.” This quote speaks great measures as it is the truth. Many persons of this society rarely look beyond a person’s disability; instead they tend to see the disability first, followed by placing barriers towards that person. As a society, we must begin to recognize that person for who they are instead and not what is on the outside. According to the 42 U.S. Code 12102 (1992), a disability is defined as, “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment or; being regarded as having such an impairment.” Along with substantial effects, a disability can also impose long term effects on individuals. Since persons with disabilities are different from typical developing individuals, many organizations are created to cater …show more content…
Two influential and great organizations that focus on catering to individuals with disabilities are National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). These two organizations play pivotal roles in their host country to assist individuals with disabilities.
The National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) was founded by Kay McGee in 1960, in the city of Chicago. Mrs. McGee began this organization as a result of Tricia, her daughter, being born with Down syndrome. Silverman (2007), states, “Down syndrome is the most prevalent cause of intellectual impairment associated with a genetic anomaly, in this case, trisomy of chromosome 21.” In the 20th century, parents of children who were born with Down syndrome were recommended to place their child in an institution. Parents who