What is the worldview of the physically challenged? Or how do they see, understand and interpret events around them? Understanding the way which they look at events of life will help local guides in our efforts to help people navigate and explore the world around them vis-à-vis our activities on Google maps.
Right from my childhood I have come across many physically challenged folks. One of them, my cousin was crippled on both legs right from birth. So I grew up knowing what it felt like to be a physically challenged. Moreover, while in the university I had a roommate who unfortunately lost his right arm in an auto accident, and who even though he was right handed had to live with the challenge of surviving with his left arm. This young man hated to be pitied and so with the support of his teeth he was able to do his laundry, iron his clothes, knot his ties, and dress up with the left arm.
More so, in the course of my job I have been opportune to deal with so many customers including the physically challenged- the blind, deaf, dumb etc. I have had to pass across notes, gesticulate with my hands, and use sign languages in order to communicate with them. In all, these experiences with the physically challenged have made me to understand that they have an eye through which they view the world. However, to understand this better we must first understand what worldview is all about.
The word worldview or outlook is derived from the German word Weltanschauung composed of two German words - welt meaning ‘world’ and ‘Aushauung’ meaning ‘view ‘ or ‘outlook’. The word is a concept which is fundamental to German philosophy and epistemology. It is a wide world perception, the framework of ideas and beliefs or a set of global description through which an individual or group or culture watches and interprets the world and interacts with it. It is worthy to note that our thinking, behavior, action, speech, decision-making etc are all affected by our worldview. In other words the mentality of a person or people is informed by the worldview of events and happenings around them. Hence, worldview is the prism through which we all view the world for a unique world experience and better cognitive orientation of the world around us.
The physically challenged individuals also have a world view. It is the eye through which they look at the world. And this worldview shapes their thoughts, behaviors, attitudes etc. They see themselves as any other normal person and hence an integral part of our community. They believe they have something to contribute to humanity and so should be included in the scheme of things. They want to be given unrestricted freedom to navigate and explore the world around them. So, anything that will restrict or limit their freedom is seen as a threat.
The major challenge
My encounter with Mr Olamelekan Arogundade, chairman of SCIAN- Spinal cord injuries association of Nigeria confirms this major challenge. According to him an average physically challenged individual is discriminated against. They are not consulted in a variety of things even in decisions affecting them. Therefore, in their world view they are tempted to see the world as unfair and unjust to them. Hence, the prism through which they view life is one tainted with fear and distrust. The major challenge now is how to help them have a unique world experience and better cognitive orientation of the world around them. And by so doing threats to their freedom of choice and decision making would be curtailed or eliminated.
Bridging the gap
The Google maps as a powerful app is set to bridge the gap by correcting the anomalies in the world view of the physically challenged. And as local guides we have a lot to offer through our activities on Google maps. One of the ways we can help is promoting accessibility on Google maps. Our effort should be more than doubled in supporting the one accessibility campaign that is fast gaining global momentum and acceptability. We must spread the message of all-inclusiveness. Being a local guide carries with it the mandate of selflessness, equity and fairness. Hence, in order to achieve the goals and objectives of local guides we must be fair to all and sundry with our activities on Google maps. We must not discriminate rather we must consider all whether they are physically challenged or not. In all fairness and equity we must consider the physically challenged as we share on Google maps.
Finally, what have you done to help the physically challenged persons hold a positive worldview about life? In other words what have you done to help them navigate and explore the world around them with ease?
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