Political Football and Disabled People

General Overview

Disabled people are often used as political footballs, a term that refers to how politicians and parties use them to score points or advance their own agendas without genuinely addressing the issues that affect the disabled community.

This can manifest in several ways

1. Policy Promises: Politicians frequently make grand promises about improving accessibility, funding for disability services, and inclusive education during election campaigns. However, once elected, these promises are often neglected or implemented inadequately, leaving disabled people with little real change in their day-to-day lives
2. Budget Cuts and Reallocation: Disability programs and services are frequently the first targets for budget cuts during economic downturns or government restructuring. This can severely impact the quality of life for disabled individuals who rely on these services for their independence and well-being.
3. Legislative Symbolism: There is a tendency to pass symbolic legislation that garners positive media attention but lacks the enforcement mechanisms or funding necessary to make a tangible difference. Such legislation gives the appearance of progress without delivering substantive benefits to the disabled community.
4. Political Rhetoric: Politicians sometimes use the plight of disabled people to criticize opponents or gain moral high ground. This rhetoric often highlights the challenges faced by disabled individuals without committing to actionable solutions or engaging with the community to understand their needs.
5. Tokenism: Disabled individuals are sometimes used as tokens in political campaigns or events to show inclusivity and diversity. However, this is often superficial, with little effort made to include disabled voices in decision-making processes or policy development.
6. Polarization and Stigma: Disability issues can become polarizing topics, with political parties framing their opponents as either neglectful or overly generous with welfare. This can perpetuate stigma and misunderstanding about the disabled community, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and social barriers.

The exploitation of disabled people as political footballs not only undermines the dignity and rights of individuals with disabilities but also stalls genuine progress towards a more inclusive and equitable society. It is crucial for politicians and policymakers to engage meaningfully with the disabled community, listen to their voices, and commit to actions that deliver real and lasting improvements to their lives.

Individual Overview

Disabled people can experience bullying in various forms, often reflecting societal attitudes and lack of understanding about disabilities which empowers political power. Here are several ways disabled people might feel bullied in society

1. Verbal Abuse

• Insults and Name-Calling: Using derogatory terms or slurs aimed at their disability.
• Mockery: Imitating physical movements, speech patterns, or other characteristics of their disability in a mocking manner.
• Threats: Making threatening statements that target their disability.

2. Physical Bullying

• Assault: Physical attacks or threats of violence directed at them.
• Interference with Mobility Aids: Tampering with, hiding, or damaging wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, or other assistive devices.
• Unwanted Touching: Physically handling or moving a disabled person without their consent.

3. Social Bullying

• Exclusion: Deliberately excluding them from social activities, groups, or conversations.
• Gossip and Rumors: Spreading false or malicious stories about their disability or capabilities.
• Isolation: Encouraging others to ostracize or avoid them.

4. Cyberbullying

• Online Harassment: Sending abusive messages or threats via social media, email, or other online platforms.
• Defamatory Content: Posting harmful or false information about them online.
• Exclusion from Online Communities: Deliberately excluding them from online groups or forums.

5. Microaggressions

• Patronizing Attitudes: Speaking to them in a condescending tone, assuming they are less capable.
• Invasive Questions: Asking overly personal or intrusive questions about their disability.
• Ignoring Autonomy: Making decisions for them without consultation, assuming they are incapable of making their own choices.

6. Institutional Bullying

• Discrimination: Facing discrimination in workplaces, educational institutions, or public services due to their disability.
• Lack of Accommodations: Being denied reasonable adjustments or accommodations that they are legally entitled to.
• Inaccessibility: Physical or procedural barriers that prevent them from participating fully in society.

7. Emotional and Psychological Bullying

• Gaslighting: Convincing them that their experiences or feelings about their disability are invalid or exaggerated.
• Manipulation: Using their disability to manipulate or control them.
• Devaluation: Treating them as less valuable or capable because of their disability.

8. Financial Bullying

• Exploitation: Taking advantage of them financially, such as pressuring them to give money or manipulating them to sign financial documents.

All of the above takes place in Pakistan and elsewhere. But what are we doing about it? Nothing!