What Are The Rights of the diabetic?
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Because discrimination is a way of life, it is important to know what your rights are as a person with a disability. While diabetes isn’t a disability, it is a disease that many people don’t know much about or take the time to learn the proper information. In those cases, ignorance does create situations of discrimination for the diabetic, but luckily, there are laws that cover the rights of children and adults so that they have the ability to effectively resist being discriminated against.
Rights of the diabetic child
Sadly, the diabetic child may face challenges at school and at daycare just because of the condition. The diabetic child might be prevented from participating in sporting events even if they’re good at what they do.
The ideal way to deal with discrimination against the diabetic child is to educate the school or daycare community. The biggest reason for discrimination is normally a lack of knowledge. Once you let the offending parties know how to care for a child with diabetes, the issues should be put to rest. However, there will still be those who are afraid that something might go wrong and therefore prohibit the child from taking part in certain activities. In these instances, you might need mediation or even legal intervention.
Discrimination and the diabetic adult
Workplace discrimination is one of the biggest challenges faced by the adult living with diabetes. Some adults may be bypassed for a promotion simply because they are diabetic and their employers feel that this might affect their performance.
Most, if not all, workplace anti-discrimination laws should address discrimination based on diabetes. However, you must be able to prove that discrimination really occurred and that it happened as a result of your illness.
Discrimination against diabetics is felt in different spheres of life. One area where this is most prevalent is in obtaining a driver’s license. The fact that diabetics may have certain physical limitations if their disease is not managed properly is used as a reason not to issue a license. Yes, some diabetics do become hypoglycemic and find themselves unable to safely operate a automobile, but this is not a frequent occurrence. Each diabetic who applies for a driver’s license should be dealt with on an individual basis and not across the board.
People with diabetes have the right to own and operate a motor vehicle. Each individual should be assessed and medical records provided to highlight their medical history, as it concerns problems related to their illness. Only based on such a report should a decision be taken whether or not to issue a driver’s license.
Discrimination in any form should not be accepted, so if you have valid reason to feel that you’re being discriminated against because of your medical condition, fight back. The American Diabetes Association lists ways to fight discrimination: educate and negotiate, litigate and legislate. In short, educate the offending celebrations about diabetes and negotiate a course of action suitable to all. Negotiating does not mean giving up your rights. To litigate means to take legal action if your attempt to educate and negotiate wasn’t successful. Next, legislate – that is, take action politically by advocating for changes.
To learn more go to Diabetes Drugs and at Diabetes Support Group
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