What Socio Historical Factors Play Into The Social Construction Of Disabilities?

The amount of people who live with disabilities is a controversial number. Depending on what law and diagnostic tools used, a person may have a visible disability, or one that may lie beneath the surface of his or her appearance. Some people believe that the term “disability” is merely a label use to hold back, or prescribe helplessness. Meanwhile, individuals who have been properly diagnosed with disabilities struggle to maintain respect and acceptance every day. In plain language, there is a lot of misunderstanding between people with disabilities and those without. It is firstly important to get everyone on the same page regarding the definition of disability.

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

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

Disability has functioned historically to justify inequality for disabled people themselves, but it has also done so for women and minority groups. That is, not only has it been considered justifiable to treat disabled people unequally, but the concept of

Throughout history both in the past and present many individuals who are living or who lived with a disability have been viewed as a burden to society. According to The Dimensions of a Disability Oppression (2010) by L.J Charlton several aspects are intertwined with disability oppression which is beliefs, politics and economics. Policy and the world system have a lot to do with how people see another person especially an individual with a disability because thanks to poverty and powerlessness are viewed as daily experiences in the life of someone living with a disability. In our society when it comes to differences we either ignore it and if we feel that it’s not dominant enough we start to think its subordinate compared to us. We are taught

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

The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference. 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.

Discrimination is a part of life for many people in minority groups. There is one minority group that extends across age, gender and race; this minority consists of people with disabilities. The minority group of people with disabilities can be entered at any age. Also, disability is one of a few minorities that can be hidden from other people. The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. However, despite this legislation, people with disabilities still face discrimination in various parts of their lives. The textbook defines discrimination as behavior directed against persons based on their membership in certain groups (Kassin, Fein, Markus 2014). People with disabilities continue to experience these behaviors across many settings.

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 ‘Everyone Belongs’ Shapiro (2000)examines how antagonistic myths and generalizations keep on making instilled partialities towards individuals with inabilities.These biases are reflected in contrary states of mind and conduct,which can obstruct the interest of individuals with handicaps in social,instructive and professional connections (Ehite et al,2006 refering to Rao,2004;Rubin et al 1995;Rusch et al,1995).Swain et al(1993) audit the broad scope of boundaries confronted by individuals with handicaps.

In the olden day, children born with disabilities were hidden or even killed. Shame and guilt often followed the birth of a child with disabilities. Most people believed that the disability was the result of a family member’s sins. Although society began accepting people with disabilities as time passed, a disability was still viewed as a personal tragedy. Many children were denied access to education and opportunities to learn. In 1967, 200,000 persons with disabilities resided in state institutions. Many of these restrictive settings provided only minimal food, clothing, and shelter. These institutions did not have the individuals with a disability assessed, educated, or rehabilitated. In 1970, U.S. public schools educated only one in five children with disabilities. Many states had laws excluding certain students, including children who were deaf, blind, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded. (Archived: 25 Year History of the IDEA)

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.

Over the years, perceptions towards disability have been significantly changing as result of the long pathway the disable community has taken fighting for Civil Rights, inclusion and against discrimination. Unfortunately, this last one has not been totally accomplished yet. Barriers to social integration still exist in the society. Perhaps the greatest barrier is not the disability itself; is the attitude of people.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, disability is “a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions”. Living with a disability is difficult because it is costly, sometimes requiring therapies, home modifications and preventative and emergency services and so on (Children and youth services review, 2013). Disabilities are a problem because they create inequity. Unfairness promotes greater influence by factors named the Social determinants of health or SDH. These SDH are the aspects of one’s life that influence their health directly. The SDH are relative to any individual, they include an individual’s traits such as, income or education and branch out to the physical and social environment. In an article published by The Toronto Star talking about a woman, Mrs. Bardeau, and her two sons, it is quite easy to see the SDH working behind the scenes. She is a disabled, single mother living on social assistance, raising two children with autism. Her house is infested with bed bugs and it takes months and multiple social justice attempts to have a support network buy new furniture for her home. The SDH that are most influential in her situation are income, social support networks and housing. In order to change the outcome for future instances such as Mrs. Bardeau’s, health promotion strategies can be effective

This week’s discussion dealt with Individuals and Disabilities. Over the years, people who have a “disability" have been subjected to prejudice and more. And the first way to diminish someone is through language, by using words or labels to identify a person as "less-than," as "the others—not like us," and so forth. Once a person has been identified this way, it makes