Individuals with disabilities (OKU) are a part of society that requires support and understanding.
Despite various facilities in public places to facilitate OKU, recently, insensitive actions towards them have become a cause for concern.
Photo via X (@bckupacc99)
A viral TikTok video recently showed a man pretending to be an OKU and engaging in shocking behaviour. In the video, the man presents a point of view (POV) depicting the situation when using an OKU restroom.
Initially, the man quickly enters the OKU restroom to relieve himself. Upon exiting, it appears there are "OKU individuals" waiting in line outside the restroom - mind you, they're also not real OKUs, just other people pretending to be OKUs.
The man then pretends to have a disability by contorting his hands in an unnatural manner.
However, after a few steps away from the restroom, the man suddenly resumes walking normally. This action has been deemed insensitive and disrespectful to the OKU community.
The act quickly garnered sharp criticism from the public. Many condemned the man for not understanding or appreciating the real experiences of the OKU community.
Some individuals expressed that if the man intended to raise awareness among the public, his actions should not involve mimicking or faking disabilities.
Society feels that actions like these only contribute to stigmatisation and a lack of understanding of the real lives of OKU individuals. As an inclusive society, it is crucial to maintain sensitivity to differences and not mock or demean those who require specific support.
Insensitive actions, as demonstrated in the video, not only damage the image of the individuals involved but also create a negative perception of the OKU community as a whole.
Therefore, awareness and education about the needs of the OKU community should be promoted in a respectful manner that understands their experiences, rather than through demeaning actions.
