As many people who have grown up with a disability can attest, getting labeled as “creepy” by peers is a common occurrence. Whether our mannerisms, speech, or general appearance, something about us makes the able-bodied and able-minded around us uncomfortable. The sad reality is it often has the “uncanny valley” effect, which in itself is insulting.

What is the Uncanny Valley?

Simply stated, the Uncanny Valley is when something looks and acts human but is not human. Some theorize this instinctual reaction is a leftover result of the different races of hominids interacting in our ancient past. There is some suspicion that Neandertals were cannibals, which would result in an instinctual fear of something that looks like us but is a predator to us.

The problem is that this means that non-disabled people instinctually don’t see us as human, which is extremely hurtful and overall insulting.

This phenomenon, where individuals feel uneasy or repulsed by others who appear almost human but have noticeable differences, plays a significant role in how disabled people are perceived.

Societal Perceptions and Biases

Thanks to the vast world of the internet and the varied social media platforms, I have been able to read a lot of opinions about this. On platforms like Reddit and other social media, there is a clear pattern of disabled individuals, particularly those with mental or non-visible disabilities, being labeled as “creepy” more often. This label can usually stem from behaviors that neurotypical individuals find unusual or discomforting. For example, autistic people might struggle with social cues and personal boundaries, which can lead to misunderstandings and discomfort among neurotypical peers. These missteps in social rules are frequently perceived as “creepy” rather than being symptoms of a disability that requires empathy and understanding.

Mental vs. Physical Disability

The labeling of “creep” varies between mental and physical disabilities. People with unseen disabilities like autism or cognitive disabilities are more often tagged as “creepy” due to behaviors and mannerisms that deviate from the social norm of the area. As one Reddit user pointed out, autistics might continue interactions long after others have given the “cue” to end the discussion or interaction due to missing the unstated cue. This can also be seen in cross-cultural experiences to a lesser degree.

Conversely, those of us with visible disabilities might be pitied or ignored rather than labeled as creeps. The discomfort here often comes from a place of ableism and the “uncanny valley” effect, where the presence of a physical difference causes a subconscious reaction of unease in others.

The Role of Education and Awareness

Contributing to this issue is the lack of education and awareness about disabilities among the general public. Many people, including educators and peers alike, do not understand the nuances of different disabilities. Behaviors and mannerisms of individuals with disabilities are often misinterpreted and assigned negative intent without comprehensive thought or investigation. As discussed in a variety of Reddit threads and social media comments, there is a call for better education on how to interact with and understand disabled people to reduce the stigma and frequency of this harmful mislabeling.

Personal Accounts and Social Media Insights

Social media platforms like Reddit, Twitter(X), and Facebook allow for personal accounts from disabled individuals to share their experiences of being labeled unfairly as “creepy.” These stories highlight the emotional and psychological impact of these harmful labels. One Reddit user shared their experience of being constantly stared at and followed by a mentally disabled peer, which led to significant discomfort and fear, illustrating how these interactions can escalate when not adequately managed or understood by those involved, including peers, managers, administrators, and teachers. All it would take is a discussion to ease the discomfort, but instead, many call the cops or make complaints without ever considering the damage such accusations can cause.

Conclusion

In conclusion, disabled people, particularly those with mental or non-visible disabilities, are more frequently labeled as “creeps” due to societal biases, misunderstandings, and the “uncanny valley” effect. This issue underscores the need for increased education, awareness, and exposure to further foster empathy and understanding, hopefully reducing the stigma and improving interactions between disabled and non-disabled people in our communities.

DjinniWhispers

• July 2024
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