Individuals with mobility and intellectual impairments often have difficulty socialising with other people. For instance, individuals in wheelchairs often stayed in certain areas, inhibiting interactions with others. Furthermore, assistive technology devices such as wheelchairs or crutches can limit movements and participation in certain social activities. Because of these limitations, they can be excluded from activities and often fail to develop positive social relationships.
Relationships are important for everyone but particularly relevant for people with physical disabilities. Lack of close social ties leads to social isolation and is associated with poor physical and mental health. Social support is considered a protective factor in hindering the negative consequences of different stressors in disability. A frequent, meaningful, and direct contact between groups of individuals, regardless of background and characteristics, promote positive social relationships. However, certain barriers interfere with the development of social relationships.
Hindering factors in social interactions
For individuals with disabilities
- Limited social options and choices of locations in which to socialise
- Environmental arrangements such as segregated seating
- Preconceptions and stereotypes about disability
- Limited physical endurance and stamina
- Limited movement due to assistive technology devices such as crutches, canes, or wheelchairs
- Presence of physical pain that prevents accepting social engagements
- Limited living arrangements
For other people
- Fear of being seen differently by others when associated with people with disabilities
- Reluctance to assume extra responsibility for the safety of individuals with disabilities during certain activities
- Lack of knowledge or skills to react appropriately in an unfamiliar situation, especially when there are environmental risks
- Lack of similarity in level of competence in physical activities
- Limited opportunity to spend time in other activities
Identifying these hindering factors can be a starting point in transforming these hindrances into opportunities to develop social relationships. Awareness of these difficulties can bridge the gap in forming social relationships. Cooperation among all community members in promoting awareness and creating opportunities for socialisation is an important factor in building social relationships.
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REFERENCES:
Kalymon, K., Gettinger, M., & Hanley-Maxwell, C. (2010). Middle school boys’ perspectives on social relationships with peers with disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 31(4), 305-316.
Taub, D. E., McLorg, P. A., & Bartnick, A. K. (2009). Physical and social barriers to social relationships: voices of rural disabled women in the USA. Disability & Society, 24(2), 201-215.
Tough, H., Siegrist, J., & Fekete, C. (2017). Social relationships, mental health and wellbeing in physical disability: a systematic review. BMC public health, 17(1), 1-18
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