Dear editor,

Regarding the April 20 editorial, ''Let's Make a Difference," I agree with the writer's opinion. The disabled should be given more chances to get jobs and a better education, and there should be more disabled lawmakers as well.

Moreover, I think there should be mass-education about disabled people at home and school. This is the most basic thing to remove prejudice and discrimination against them, which can make a difference in this society.

First, I think education starts from at home. Parents should be changed first, not thinking about their own children, but other children.

Sometimes many schools are reluctant to accept the disabled because parents don't like it when there is a disabled student in their children's class; as well as the many administrative difficulties. As the writer mentioned, anyone may become disabled, but many times people don't seem to think about it at all.

Second, teachers need to teach a change in perception toward the disabled. They need to teach that the disabled are not totally different from other members of the society ― they just have some additional challenges.

Also, teachers can tell great stories about disabled people who overcame their challenges. This will help students think in the right way toward the disabled as ''alternatively abled."

In America, there is a father and a disabled son called Team Hoyt who have competed together in marathons and triathlons. People watch them until they finish, cheering for them.

That atmosphere comes from the cultural support, which is rooted in education. I hope this society can be full of people who are mature, and learn to harmonize with other people.

Michelle Yu
High school teacher
yu0313@dreamwiz.com