Stigma and discrimination of people with visible and invisible disabilities

Obstaja več vrst diskriminacije, med najbolj znanimi so diskriminacije na podlagi spola, starosti, rase itd. Z vsemi prej omenjenimi se prekriva kategorija, ki zajema posebne potrebe. Te so lahko vidne ali nevidne, kar otežuje njihovo klasifikacijo, vendar ne glede na njihovo vidnost osebe s posebnimi potrebami občutijo diskriminacijo v različnih okoljih in situacijah. Kot primer diskriminacij bi izpostavili mikroagresije, kjer gre za dejanja in vedenja, ki so mišljena dobronamerno, vendar so lahko diskriminatorna (npr. pretirana pomoč). Cilj obstoječega dela je proučiti diskriminacijo in stigmo pri osebah z vidnimi in nevidnimi posebnimi potrebami ter ugotoviti, ali obstajajo razlike. V vzorcu je bilo 106 oseb, od tega 20 oseb z vidno in 86 oseb z nevidno posebno potrebo. V vprašalniku smo preverjali občutke mikroagresij in avtostigme ter izkušnje diskriminacije. Ugotovili smo, da osebe z nevidnimi posebnimi potrebami doživljajo več diskriminacije kot osebe z vidnimi posebnimi potrebami. Prav tako smo odkrili primere mikroagresij ter tudi primerjali okolja glede na količino diskriminacije – največ diskriminacije so udeleženci doživljali v delovnem okolju. Razlik med spoloma in v količini mikroagresij ter povezave med avtostigmo in razkritjem nismo potrdili. Najbolj verjetna razlaga za zavrnitev hipotez je predvsem vzorec ter tudi okolje in vpliv pandemije ter morda tudi pojmovanje posebnih potreb. Kljub pomanjkljivostim raziskave smo odkrili, da je diskriminacija prisotna in bi bilo proti njej treba ukrepati predvsem preko izobraževanja oseb v javnih sistemih (šolstvu, zdravstvu itd.), saj do diskriminacije največkrat prihaja zaradi nezavedanja lastnih predsodkov ter pomanjkanja izobrazbe.There are several types of discriminationthe best-known are discrimination based on gender, age, race, etc. All of these overlap with the category that covers disabilities. The latter can be visible or invisible, which makes it harder to classify themregardless of their visibility, people with disabilities experience discrimination in different environments and situations. We should point out microaggressions as an example of discriminationthey are acts and behaviours that are well intentioned but can be discriminatory (e.g., overhelping). The aim of the thesis was to examine discrimination and stigma in people with visible and invisible disabilities, and to determine whether there are any differences between the two. The sample encompassed 106 persons20 with a visible disability and 86 with an invisible disability. The questionnaire inquired about sensing microaggressions and self-stigma, and about experiencing discrimination. It has been determined that people with invisible disabilities experience more discrimination than people with visible disabilities. Moreover, we detected cases of microaggressions, and compared environments according to the degree of discrimination – the participants were experiencing the most discrimination in the working environment. Differences between genders and in the amount of microaggressions, or a correlation between self-stigma and disclosure have not been confirmed. The most probable explanation for disproving the hypotheses is the sample itself, as well as the environment and the impact of the pandemicperhaps also the perception of disabilities. Despite the survey\u27s drawbacks, it has been discovered that discrimination is present and that actions should be taken to counter it, mostly by educating employees in public systems (the education system, health care, etc.), considering that discrimination most often occurs because we are unaware of our own prejudice and lack of knowledge