The Barrier Between Us

THE BARRIER BETWEEN US
Picture this. You’re in MRT, scrolling through your phone

and then you take notice of this lady, walking through
the cabin, saying “Hello? Hello? Hello?” To everybody,
but no eye contact made. And then you notice this man
here, who’s also scrolling through his phone and when he
takes notice of that lady he gives the ‘raised eyebrows’
look. I encountered this situation a few months ago on
my way to school. I was furious at that man’s reaction.
But what I also noticed was that, that reaction was
demonstrated by several people in that cabin. I kept
quiet and dwelled on it. I then realised, that lady was a
special-needs person. So, special needs huh? What is it?
In my opinion, special-needs is euphemism for disabled
and separated. Disabled it’s a very common term, you
may have heard it in many places; disabled individual,
disabled person, so many things, but ‘separate’? Have
you ever tried to link the word ’separate’ to ‘special-
needs? Maybe not! But I did, how did I link it? Let me
explain this to you. So here we are the normal people
community; in this community, we go to normal school,
recreational centres with swimming pools. The families
here are “normal” social circles. But then, there is this
barrier and across this barrier, is a completely different
community in which there are special-needs families.
They are being put in a separate environment. In this
separate environment, the kids go to separate schools,
the people here are separate social circles, separate
facilities, separate services. Everything with the
‘separate’ in front of it. Why the barrier may I ask? What
is the need of this barrier? This barrier is a discrimination
of us people in this (normal) community of them (special-
needs). Those people there, we have pushed them away!
And in this (way), we have harmed ourselves as well. Let
me illustrate this to you. Take an example of global
warming, the harm toxins that are released into the air;
they will defile the environment. But what will they also
do? They will harm us because when we inhale these
toxins, it may shorten our lifespan. It may cause us to
deal with fatal diseases. It will harm us, similarly when
we push these(special-needs) people away over there,
we will never recognize their talents! Take an example of
Nick Vujicic. He is a limb-less person, but he is a great
speaker! We embraced his talent. We welcomed with
two hands, despite his disability. Suppose a deaf girl; she
cannot hear, but she can dance so well, maybe better
than Michael Jackson, but we will never know she had
that talent because we pushed her away. We
discriminated her. My question is – If we could embrace
Nick, why can’t we embrace the rest of these people? If
we could tell him that, yes, you’re great, why can’t we
tell the other (special-needs) people that they are great
as well? We need to break this barrier! There is no
barrier needed. We should merge these two
communities together. And at the end of my speech, I
want to say “Judge a person based on his ability, not his
disability, because an ability of a person is what defines
him or her.
Nick Vujicic was born without hands and a leg due to the
rare disorder called tetramelia syndrome. Despite his
disability, he was mentally fit, got support from his family
and well wishers and he naturally broke this barrier by
being educated.
Have you ever wondered how had Britain conquered us?

They were able to achieve this only by building and
strengthening this barrier. They took this as an
advantages and played double-game alongside this
eventfully.
Aaron Fotheringham is also one of the example of person

who had broken this barrier.
Social barriers are related to the conditions in which

people are born, grow, live, learn, work and age – or
social determinants of health – that can contribute to
decreased functioning among people with disabilities.
Here are examples of social barriers: People with
disabilities are far less likely to be employed.
People should promote equality if they are looking for

ways to overcome social barriers. There are numerous
prejudices prevalent in our society and the workplace,
and this is why it has become essential to promote open-
mindedness in individuals.
The social barrier is considered a drawback as it prevents
the growth and development of the society and all its
members. Overcoming social barriers can result in the
fulfillment of dreams, but it is not an easy venture.
1. Poverty
One of the significant social barriers in the world is

poverty that has a profound impact on participation and
social inclusion. Poor children are unable to partake in
everyday activities with children that belong to affluent
families.
The exclusion is rooted in the beliefs, attitudes, and

behavior of the people who consider themselves
superior to the people with little or no wealth. This is
why people from rich background does not mingle with
the people from a poor background.
2. Fear
Fear is one of the social barriers as it prevents people
from associating with individuals that we consider
different from us. These differences cause awkwardness
as people do not have the right words to connect.
In most cases, people find it easier to look away or

pretend to be aloof rather than eliminate any social
barrier that is giving rise to injustice
3. Conflict
The outright conflict between groups or communities can

cause social barriers. The difference in opinion is based
on belief, culture, philosophy, etc.
4. Discrimination
Another social barrier that is very common is
discrimination and bias. Men and women are not
considered equal, and this is why in almost all the
industries and business organizations, females are paid
less than their male counterparts even if they are
hardworking than the males in the organization.
A pregnant woman is often mistreated so that she would

resign from her job. The bias can also take many forms;
for instance, if an individual has been unemployed for a
long time, then it becomes impossible for him to find
work again.
Maintaining the same standards for every person in your

vicinity helps to remove social barriers.
5. Racism
A significant social barrier that is very common nowadays
is related to racism. White men and women will, in most
cases, find favor over their black counterparts.
6. Stereotyping
If you are looking for another social barrier, then look no

further than stereotyping. People are quick to pass
judgments in society and even in their workplace based
on their race, gender, and even color of the skin.
It is a fact that social stereotypes have a profound impact

on the feelings and thoughts of an individual and nudge
him towards a specific type of behavior.
Overcoming social barriers
Overcoming social barriers

Some necessary steps that can be taken to overcome
social barriers in society and also in the workplace are as
follows-
Also Read Contingency Plan: Meaning, and How to
create a Perfect Contingency Plan
1. Involve the community
The best way to overcome social barriers is to involve the

entire society in the process. Talk to the community
leaders and solicit feedback to understand what needs to
be done to eliminate the existing inequality and injustice.
Involving the community in the decision-making process
will make everyone a stakeholder, and this will
encourage them to do what is right for society.
It is a gradual process where the barriers need to be

chipped one-by-one regularly. There will be a section of
the community that will resist these endeavors for
change. Remember, it is determination and willingness to
do what is right will help in overcoming the obstacles
that are the result of social barriers.
2. Work environment
Restructuring work environments encourage positive

interactions between diversified groups and help to
overcome social barriers prevalent in the workplace.
3. Slang
Casual language and slang vary from region to region,

and its meaning differs across cultures as well as
generations. It can create confusion in the workplace and
result in alienating one person from the other.
The disconnection between team members will hamper

the efficiency and productivity level of the organization.
Avoid casual language and slang in the workplace as it
can create significant social barriers.
4. Keep your focus
If you are looking for ways to overcome social barriers in

the workplace, then stop distracting your co-workers
with unnecessary diversion. Encourage the employees to
maintain their focus on the job at hand.
This will stop them from participating in any activities

that can be constructed as social inequalities.
5. Accept cultural differences
The world has changed tremendously in recent years

because of globalization. The workforce now includes
employees from different cultures and backgrounds,
working together to meet the common goals of their
company.
The diversity can be a reason for social inequalities as

one employee might consider himself superior to
another one. If you are looking for ways to overcome this
social barrier, then research the existing cultural
differences and make it a mandatory watch for every
employee.
Also Read Organisational Performance Definition and
Factors
This visual communication will help the employees in

realizing their mistakes, accept the cultural differences,
and move forward for their personal as well as
professional growth.
Minimizing and tackling social barriers is a long-term

endeavor, and you need to keep pursuing it
continuously. Sheer grit and determination and the
willingness to make a difference are the tools that help
to eliminate the existing inequalities
THANK YOU

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THE BARRIER BETWEEN US

Picture this. You’re in MRT, scrolling through your phone

Have you ever wondered how had Britain conquered us?

Aaron Fotheringham is also one of the example of person

Social barriers are related to the conditions in which

People should promote equality if they are looking for

One of the significant social barriers in the world is

The exclusion is rooted in the beliefs, attitudes, and

In most cases, people find it easier to look away or

The outright conflict between groups or communities can

A pregnant woman is often mistreated so that she would

Maintaining the same standards for every person in your

If you are looking for another social barrier, then look no

It is a fact that social stereotypes have a profound impact

Overcoming social barriers

1. Involve the community

The best way to overcome social barriers is to involve the

It is a gradual process where the barriers need to be

Restructuring work environments encourage positive

Casual language and slang vary from region to region,

The disconnection between team members will hamper

4. Keep your focus

If you are looking for ways to overcome social barriers in

This will stop them from participating in any activities

5. Accept cultural differences

The world has changed tremendously in recent years

The diversity can be a reason for social inequalities as

This visual communication will help the employees in

Minimizing and tackling social barriers is a long-term

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