We live in a complicated world—made more complex and convoluted for the population of the disabled. We face numerous challenges, most significant of which include poor access to information and economic opportunities.
Perhaps, our depravity is made worse by communication difficulties (for Deaf people), smooth physical mobility (for people with physical disabilities), as well as learning and processing of information (for people with learning and intellectual disabilities).
Yet, we need to take hold of now and the future. We need to survive.
Given our mediocre social-economic threshold and general achievement in society, what can we do to take hold of today and the future—an era marked by increased competition and unpredictability?
In short, what strategy or innovative attitude is necessary to become our best in this rapidly-altering economy?
What we need is nothing technical. What we need is simple.
There are more instances of injustice in the world than ever before. It is important to take part in the discourse and discussions that shape our future—the kind of broader participation that determines our destinies.
We need access to certain tools and principles. These tools will allow people with disabilities to understand and meaningfully participate in the world around them.
Our challenges are potential opportunities. Throughout history, we have learned that we cannot have greatness and prosperity without equaled challenges and adversities. But it is how we choose to respond to our challenges that matter. We have a responsibility to choose to remain positive and unlock our creativity, and band together as a people to beat the test of time.
Today, it seems to be the more information, knowledge, and skillsets you have, the better off your life is going to be. However, more importantly, more access to opportunities we have.
We also need a new model of thinking to beat today and the future.
How are we, as people with disabilities, to avail ourselves of the vast opportunities that today’s world presents—quality information, access to communications technology, and a chance to think and act independently?
Here are FIVE essential tools for taking part in the new world order
Education and hard skills. Seek knowledge and innovation: Read. Learn. Seek. education and reading provide you with an enormous amount of relevant information that allows you to understand how the world operates, which then gives you an excellent sense of balance and a capacity for adaptation in a constantly changing world. But within the covers of those books, you would have traveled all around the world. And nothing would be impossible for you.
Today, it is obvious that the degree of the quality of an individual knowledge-base, the better quality of life they are going to have. In simpler terms, the more we know, the better off our lives are going to be; the more socially responsible we can be for humanity.
Critical thinking skills: We need to be good critical thinkers to be able to draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information and discriminate between significant and less significant details to solve a problem or make a decision.
Critical thinking can help us to improve our communication and presentation skills. Good critical thinking can help us to increase our job prospects. It can help us promote healthy relationships and enhance our emotional wellbeing because we are analyzing information, thinking objectively, and making out, rational, reasoned judgments.
Communication. The thing that’s probably the most important- particularly for the Deaf, is to be able to communicate- to use the English language beautifully, to sign English with clarity and courtesy.
It is impossible to do without communication. Effective communication is the capacity to express ourselves with clarity and courtesy because it is good for our economic prospects. It is good for our relationships. It is good for our emotional wellness.
But communication- the ability to speak and write (English expressions) to convey a message or information, is very important for the Deaf. Effective communication improves our likability, relationships, and our emotional health. Our success at whatever we do significantly depends on the state of our emotions.
 Self-assertiveness. Self-assertiveness is speaking up when it may be hard to, standing up for yourself and others when it is difficult to, respecting yourself, listening, not letting others walk over you. Self-assertiveness is saying NO, particularly when you are not expected to decline an idea, an offer, or an “invitation”. Self-assertiveness is being self-assured, being confident without being aggressive. Still, self-assertiveness is a tool that can improve your communication and social skills.
Openness. Openness is readiness and willingness to accept and listen to something such as new ideas or suggestions. Other important elements of openness, creativity, originality, intellectualism, and broadmindedness. As you are receptive and willing to review and learn from the works of others, you are getting out of your narrow point of view, and you are learning about how to evaluate information better, how to analyze and synthesize information because a lot of ideas are colliding and you are getting out of your own narrow point of view and getting in a broader perspective.
Open-mindedness leads one to seek substantive information and feedback about what one is doing which ultimately vastly improves personal and professional prospects.