Disability Is An Umbrella Term

Looking back in the past, there have been many features, and true definitions of the word disability. In the 1970s a group called the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation defined disability as the disadvantage or restriction of activity cased by social organizations. U.S disability activists made efforts during the 1970s to form different alliances with the disability community, that protested for the inclusion of disability discrimination under the Rehabilitation act. Thereafter there was a medial model at looking at disability, that views disability as an individual shortfall. In

A child/young/person with a physical disability may include; functional, gross and fine motor skills. They may suffer a hearing or visual impairment which may impact on their ability to walk, play or learn. These may affect their confidence as well as challenge social skills.

A disability is a condition of impairment--a physical or mental condition--that limits a person’s activities or functioning. Handicap is used when legally specifying life processes or social activities that adversely affect a person’s functioning. A handicap is much more limiting than a disability.

Describe the commonalities and differences of the diagnoses of developmental disability, intellectual impairment, learning disability, pervasive developmental disorder, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and spina bifida.

A person with a physical disability is someone who has physical impairments which they may have been born with or happened to gain in a result of an injury. Having a physical disability limits you from doing daily activities yourself.

A more encompassing phrase would describe disability as a social, cultural, and political construction. Cultural refers to a specific group upholding a certain idea. This accurately implies that treatment of people with disabilities is different not only by country, but even

Disability is an impairment is a life changing condition that limits one’s physical or mental abilities. Disabilities comes in many forms such as blindness, hearing, speech disorder, loss of vision. and memory. As well as, chronic illness such as diabetes, HIV, obesity. Under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) employers, cannot discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities when hiring, firing, job promotion, distribution of benefits and privileges. In addition, by law, employers must make reasonable effort to modify work equipment and job settings for people with disabilities. Such as job schedules, employee training and communication devices; without causing an undue hardship, significant difficulty

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.

Disabilities are considered limitations in performing everyday activities such as talking, hearing, seeing, walking, and performing ADLs. (Hinkle, 2014)

Disability is identified as a bodily or cerebral mutilation that significantly restricts one or more of an individual’s foremost life actions by the ADA. Companies are required formulate logical accommodations for individuals whom are disabled except if the outcome creates hardship for the companies every day functions. Hardships are considered things such as tremendous costs or involve considerable difficulty.

The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society acts and is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference. They believe society should change to meet the needs of the child/young person. It looks at ways of removing barriers that restrict life choices for disabled people. When barriers are removed, disabled people can be independent and equal in society, with choice and control over their own lives. An impairment is defined as

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.

In this report, the Medical and Social Models of disability are explained, the relevance of both and their importance in society. My own personal views on both are contained throughout and within the conclusion, based on research, referenced and listed in the bibliography.

Disability is a human reality that has been perceived differently by diverse cultures and historical periods.  For most of the 20th century, disability was defined according to a medical model. In the medical model, disability is assumed to be a way to characterize a particular set of largely static, functional limitations. This led to stereotyping and defining people by condition or limitations.

“For purposes of nondiscrimination laws (e.g. the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act), a person with a disability is generally defined as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an