DISABILITY

Disability is a definition of a physical or mental condition which impacts on a person’s movements, activities and senses. People with disabilities were informed of bias and disadvantages compared to an ordinary person. There are many biases and prejudices contributed to the discrimination of individuals with a disability. Partly because of social connotations the disabled people are useless, cannot work. In fact, these extraordinary people always bring and do incredible things. They not only overcome their grim fate, but also bring good things to life, especially those who are perfectly considering better than an ordinary person, they are not aware of the capacity of individuals disabilities with them characteristics such as loyalty, dedication, and hard work.

A noteworthy discussion inside inability hypothesis identifies with the importance of acknowledging contrasts between individuals with incapacities. Some contend that the social way to deal with handicap ought to concentrate on the basic social oppression which individuals with disabilities face, and on their need to join politically to fight this oppression. Others fight that the conceptualisation of incapacity as a solid affair overlooks contrasts that exist between individuals with inabilities considering class, sex, race and ethnicity, sexual introduction and age.

This essay highlights and discusses models of disability reflected in two separate articles (Appendices A and B). I will identify the models of disability they represent. Both have been recently featured in the Guardian newspaper and are stories on disabled people.

In a debate between the social construction of disability and the medical model, I would side with social construction of disability. Prior to reading Chapter 3 of Rethinking Disability, I would have sided with the medical model since that was the only approach I was made aware of. In all of my studies, this is the method that I was shown. I was taught that if a student presents symptoms of having a disability, the teacher would include the parents and the student to undergo all of the steps such as, the examination, diagnosis, prescription, and follow up. We are so used to this process that we do not look beyond it to analyze what this really means. As stated in the chapter, after these students are diagnosed with all these labels, society

The social model of disability which views discrimination and prejudice as being embedded in today’s society, their attitudes and their surrounding environment.

The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society looks upon things, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference. It looks at ways how removing barriers that restrict life choices for people with a disability. When barriers are removed, people with disabilities can be independent and equal in society, with choice and control over their own lives.

Disability in a socio-cultural context can be defined as "a barrier to participation of people with impairments or chronic illnesses arising from an interaction of the impairment or illness with discriminatory attitudes, cultures, policies or institutional practices" (Booth, 2000). The traditional view of disability often focuses on the individual, highlighting incapacities or failings, a defect, or impairment. This focus creates obstacles to participation on equal terms since an individual who seems to lack certain capacities may not be able to attain autonomy.

However according to the World Health Organisation (2011) disabled people in Canada and around the world still continue to face discrimination in different aspects of life such as in employment and access of resources. The undertone of this report is that despite the capabilities that persons with disabilities have, they are still regarded as less of other human beings. According to Jansson, Jansenberger, and Phillips (2012), their disability becomes their defining

In today’s world, over a billion people – about one-fifth of the world’s population, experience disability. Every day, people with disabilities are suffered and challenged, not only because of their disabilities but because of people who discriminate against them. Throughout history, disability discrimination had long been deeply implanted in every aspect of life. As a result, disabled people frequently live on the margins of society and dispossess of numerous lives’ fundamental experiences. Obviously, the tremendous negative effects of discrimination against special needs on people as well as on wider society are shooting the wake-up call for both governments and individuals who should have a responsibility for seeking solutions to overcome these social problems.

This section will focus on the social model and medical model. it has been reported that until the introduction of the social model of disability, the United States (US) policy focused on a medical approach. The similarities between these approaches is that they provide information on disability.

Despite the response to disability varying greatly between times, places and cultures (Barnes, 2012), there is no doubt that disability has an immeasurable impact on people’s lives. Disability affects an individual’s identity and their ability to work, socialise and be involved in society. In this essay I will discuss how approaches to disability have changed over time, specifically how approaches to disability have developed in recent centuries. I will start by discussing the medical model before moving on to its direct challenge in the social model. Finally I will discuss responses to the social model, in particular the biopsychosocial model.

We live in a society that is not very accepting of individual differences. There is always a norm to strive towards. But what happens if one is unable to meet these norms due to physical or mental impairment? Those who are affected by impairments are treated differently by typical-abled members of society, stigmatized, stereotyped, or pitied, all of which can make one feel subhuman. The way that our society reacts to individuals with physical and mental impairments is what causes them to be disabled. Disability is a social problem that hinders the flourishing of those affected by impairments.

Prior to the course, Perspectives on disability, my understanding of disability was a fundamental, concept of disability, in which I knew it existed, and also have seen and interacted with people considered to have a disability. I never took a deep look at all the social and political factors that exist within the spectrum of disability. This course has allowed me to examine all aspects of disability, which has changed my view and approach of what a disability is and how it is viewed. "Historically, disability has been viewed fundamentally as a persoal tragedy, which has resulted in diasbled people being seen as objects of pity or in need of charity. They have been subject to descriminatory policies and practices in which the predominant images of passivity and helplesness reinforced their inferior status"(Barton 4). Uncovering the framework of disability, by studying the historical, soicial political and educational standpoint, I see the intricacies in which gives me a greater understanding and awareness of the topic.

Meekosha (161) argues that disability is a gendered concept. Race, Ethnicity and gender are three gendered concept dimensions to disability. They can be seen in real world through social and medical models where disability is defined diversely in different backgrounds. In various contexts disabled people face gender based problems like sexuality and their disability is mutually inflected by race. Despite them facing all these gendered based problems society provides them with many facilities like: disabled games/sports, public places-different toilets and parking which are easily available and convenient for them (Reynolds et al. 14). These differences like separate toilets, parking, etc makes them standout from normal people, this reveals disabled person’s identity, them being different and separated from the normal world . This shows that they are respected and have special rights in the community (Reynolds et al. 14). This essay will primarily address the key issues in relation to disabled people, how they are categorised in different dimensions and based on that they face lot of gendered based problems like exclusion from social community, culturally powerless- seen as invisible, their gender is questioned- disabled women and men’s sexuality called into question,

The medical model of disability can be described as the disability within the individual person and see’s disability as an illness. (Suzanne Duggan Notes 2016) It focuses on the person’s health rather than their personal and social needs. It focuses on people with disabilities being treated for their disability such as going to the doctor or hospital, getting tests and receiving medication. Although mostly this model is criticised, In my opinion there is both good and bad in it. I think this model can segregate people with disabilities for example, “targeting `special` benefits at them and providing segregated `special` services for them.” (Alan Moyne 2012 Social and Medical Models of Disability) It sees disabled people as an inconvenience,” This medical model approach is based on a belief that the difficulties associated with the disability should be borne wholly by the disabled person, and that the disabled person should make extra effort to ensure that they do not inconvenience anyone else.” (University of Leicester 2015 The social and medical models of disability) It’s taking people with disabilities away from social interaction and doing normal everyday things which is the most important, “Disabled