Disability And The Urban Environment Summary

In the scholarly article “Disability and the Urban Environment: A Perspective on Los Angeles,” Harlan Hahn (1986) discusses concepts and views on the nature of disability in society. Hahn explicitly refers to the proposition that the dictionary definition of disability has evolved over the years from one used by medical and healthcare professionals, who stressed functional impairments, to one that focuses on the interaction of the individual with the so called environment. Through analysis and evaluation, Hahn’s views on disability and the metropolitan environment is no longer applicable to the city of Philadelphia at 30th Street Station, or today’s society as a whole.
Hahn expresses his opinions that the disabled are viewed as a minority group,

Most afflicted adults were stored away in the back rooms of houses, and children with mental disabilities were given up into adoption or aborted. In addition, Hahn reiterates that legislative polices have pronounced people with disabilities as unfit for society, unable to be hired to do work. People with disabilities are in no way “unemployed” because they can not do work. Hahn’s article, “Disability and the Urban Environment: A Perspective on Los Angeles,” which was published in 1986 is outdated, and the thoughts should be reconsidered. In the Disability and Discrimination Act of 1995 and 2005, it lays out policies that ban employers from discriminating against disabled people, when hiring (The Disability and Discrimination Act). It aims to ensure equal opportunity and a level of fairness in the workplace. Since 1986, the social structure of society has adapted and evolved over time. Nondisabled people are more liberal, and they are accepting; however, there still remains a level of discrimination. Even though they are more aware of the inequalities that exist today, people look down on the disabled population. As a society we need to make drastic improvements, in terms of attitudes. Disability should be viewed in a positive light: instead of a burden, disabled people should be part of the community. Disabled people should not have to deal with the social stigma of being different; it is part of what makes them stronger and more will