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Discrimination against mentally and physically challenged
Discrimination against mentally and physically challenged
Discrimination against disabled people
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The social model defines disability as a social construct that creates unwanted barriers for individuals, and a public concern, (Smart & Smart, 2006). Examples of these barriers include “inaccessible education systems, working environments, inadequate disability benefits, discriminatory health and social support services, inaccessible transport, houses and public buildings and amenities, and the devaluing of disabled people through negative images in the media, (Thomas, 2007, p. 13). Swain, et al (1993), states that “disability is not a condition of the individual. The experiences of disabled people are of social restrictions in the world around them, not being a person with a ‘disabling condition,’” (as cited by Lutz & Bowers, 2003).
Disability is a ‘complex issue’ (Alperstein, M., Atkins, S., Bately, K., Coetzee, D., Duncan, M., Ferguson, G., Geiger, M. Hewett, G., et al.., 2009: 239) which affects a large percentage of the world’s population. Due to it being complex, one can say that disability depends on one’s perspective (Alperstein et al., 2009: 239). In this essay, I will draw on Dylan Alcott’s disability and use his story to further explain the four models of disability being The Traditional Model, The Medical Model, The Social Model and The Integrated Model of Disability. Through this, I will reflect on my thoughts and feelings in response to Dylan’s story as well as to draw on this task and my new found knowledge of disability in aiding me to become
When many of us hear the word “disabled,” we often times have a preconceived notion characterized as a limited individual or even one who lacks skillfulness. Although most of us don’t choose these thoughts in a critical manner, we frequently overlook the potential opportunities that these disabled individuals have to adapt and overcome difficulty. In all fairness, I can admit that at times when I have thought of a “disabled” individual, I am guilty of having a predetermined mindset. Since being recently introduced to “Clara: A Phenomenology of Disability,” and Aimee Mullins “The Opportunity of Adversity,” I have become much more mindful in the way I perceive those living life with a disability and how it may affect their future.
The social model requires society to change the way it is structured rather then blaming the individual. In contrast, the individual model makes the costumer feel at fault hence lowers his confidence, but the social model insures the costumer that it was not his fault but rather those who built the doors without thinking about the disabled minorities (Oliver, 1990). The individual model fails to distinguish the difference between impairment and illness and it assumes all bodies with disabilities are in need of medical treatment (Oliver, 1990). Although the social model does distinguish the difference it often dismisses the individual and medical approaches and thus it can be interpreted as rejecting the medical prevention (Shakespeare,
1. According to Peter Freund, there are two ways of using the term disability. It can be related to a person’s cultural category as well as their social or bio-medical status. When it comes disability theory, there is a second way in which the term is used, which relates to the inability to engage in a specific activity and is reconstructed by a socio-cultural context into a disability. Like most labels, there are socio-political consequences that come from being labelled, as a person with a disability, such as job discrimination and being eligible for special accommodations, like parking spaces. On the other hand, Freund defines an impairment with a negative connotation and believes that it is restricted mostly by its bio-medical standpoint. Which excludes differences within the bodies that are not classified as impairments but still seen as disabling in certain contexts e.g. being too tall or short. However, Freund does only focus on impairments but physical and mental differences and their connection to socio-cultural arrangements. In other words, the main difference between impairments and disability
The social model of disability argues against this and instead holds the view that it is society, not the individual that needs to change and do what is required, so that everyone can function in society. As this statement from the Green Party Manifesto claims that “Disability is a social phenomenon” and “While many individuals have physical or sensory impairments or learning difficulties or are living with mental health problems, it is the way society responds to these which creates disability” (2010). The aim of this paper is to consider the strength of this view. With the help of modern and contemporary sociological theory surrounding disability and health it will look at both the medical and social models of disability with the aim to conclude whether disability is a problem that needs to be addressed by medical professionals alone or by society as a whole.
The article that I chose was "The Social Construction of Disability in Organizations: Why Employers Resist Reasonable Accommodation" by Harlan and Robert. One of the authors ' purposes is to really the study the process of social reform and see the steps we need to take in achieve this This is asked by the questions why and How do organizations resist making reasonable accommodations for employees. The study had two other hypothesis: H2 being disability is an outcome of social altitudes, institutions, and social structures H3 compares the social constriction theory of gender, race, class organizations to be directly related to the disability theory. In support of the disability theory the ADA is mentioned in order to protect the rights of those who fall under the qualified disabilities groups who suffer from motility and also mental health disabilities.
This report will look at how communities label people with disabilities. It will also focus on how such practices will affect the daily lives of people with mental and learning disabilities. The author will explain in detail the definitions of labeling and disability, and then examine the current legislations set by the government to improve life styles of the disabled people. Comparison will be done on the impact of social and medical models on disability, and on how these models try to explore techniques of inclusion and exclusion . Labeling theories will be discussed and this piece will sum up the debate with a brief summative conclusion.
In the essay “Disability,” Nancy Mairs discusses the lack of media attention for the disabled, writing: “To depict disabled people in the ordinary activities of life is to admit that there is something ordinary about disability itself, that it may enter anyone’s life.” An ordinary person has very little exposure to the disabled, and therefore can only draw conclusions from what is seen in the media. As soon as people can picture the disabled as regular people with a debilitating condition, they can begin to respect them and see to their needs without it seeming like an afterthought or a burden. As Mairs wrote: “The fact is that ours is the only minority you can join involuntarily, without warning, at any time.” Looking at the issue from this angle, it is easy to see that many disabled people were ordinary people prior to some sort of accident. Mairs develops this po...
After a couple of hours investigating issues that affect individuals with disabilities, I learned some very interesting and saddening things. One of the most concerning things is that anyone can acquire a disability, and yet, the media and general public does not seem to respond the same way it does to similar issues.
...eglected social issues in recent history (Barlow). People with disabilities often face societal barriers and disability evokes negative perceptions and discrimination in society. As a result of the stigma associated with disability, persons with disabilities are generally excluded from education, employment, and community life which deprives them of opportunities essential to their social development, health and well-being (Stefan). It is such barriers and discrimination that actually set people apart from society, in many cases making them a burden to the community. The ideas and concepts of equality and full participation for persons with disabilities have been developed very far on paper, but not in reality (Wallace). The government can make numerous laws against discrimination, but this does not change the way that people with disabilities are judged in society.
With the many forms of disability, individuals with disability often go through life as if they were climbing through an obstacle course on a daily basis. Disability remains being regularly looked upon as a sad incidence but on the other hand, some individuals see it as an extraordinary gift of identity. Portraying disability as a sad occurrence is ignorant and individuals who perceive it as such are unconscious toward those with disabilities. Is society truly considerate of the many different forms of disability or is it something people avoid such as going to the dentist. Articles such as, Becoming Disabled by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, Calling Long Distance by Molly McCully Brown, and Lost (and found) in Translation
The models of disability are new concepts to me. I read through the articles provided and did extended research. I truly believe as an educator I inadvertently lean towards the Medical Model without thought. It is human nature to look for a cure or an answer. The medical model looks at those with disabilities as a medical condition. A condition in which a cure needs to be found. It looks at the disability as a problem for that person. Management, treatment, or cure is based on what the person does to change their “condition”. This particular model has a negative impact on those with disabilities. They internalize their conditions and it prevents them from doing activities they are capable of doing. Now after reading about the different models I lean towards the Social Model. The Social Model is a direct reflection on society’s treatment of those with disabilities. I find this model interning because it was created by those with disabilities. This particular model is a direct reflection on society and how they view disabilities. It holds society responsible to accept, accommodate,and make the environmental modification to allow those to participate in social areas. I do think we create more barriers for those with disabilities. The community as a whole needs to change and remove the environmental barriers to give them the best opportunity to utilize what is advaliable to them. This can be done by providing housing with accommodations that are needed. Public buildings with handicap accessibility. We need to open the workforce to them making it easier for them to obtain a self sufficient job. This will give the the ability to show what they have to offer despite their disability. I will embrace this model when we go back to school and see what barriers I can remove within the school community to better serve our
Disability: Any person who has a mental or physical deterioration that initially limits one or more major everyday life activities. Millions of people all over the world, are faced with discrimination, the con of being unprotected by the law, and are not able to participate in the human rights everyone is meant to have. For hundreds of years, humans with disabilities are constantly referred to as different, retarded, or weird. They have been stripped of their basic human rights; born free and are equal in dignity and rights, have the right to life, shall not be a victim of torture or cruelty, right to own property, free in opinion and expression, freedom of taking part in government, right in general education, and right of employment opportunities. Once the 20th century
What is disability? The Disability and Discrimination Act defines disability as “a person with a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities” (Discrimination and Disability Act 7). With this definition, it can be said that societies’ version of disability is wrong. If one were to imagine a moment, when one sees a man booming right in front of one’s eyes, starting to have uncontrollable jitters running through his body, and looking at one and asking “what is the matter?” without even noticing, most of us start to think what is wrong with him. And furthermore, one will unconsciously prescribe him as abnormal or disabled. Such scenarios are common and
Proposed by Mike Oliver, social model of the disabled places emphasis on actual needs rather than referring impairments as personal tragedy (Best, 2005). Assumingly disability is a multi-perspective complex of social prejudice and discrimination barriers, Oliver advocated that society, as a whole should be responsible for problems the disabled face. Although it is somehow controversial, as a personal difficulty is shifted and escalated to social complication, wider scope of collective social force could be united to tackle the problem efficiently. Additionally, under the social model, an important idea pinpointed is that what the disabled group needs the most is not others’ pitying, but empathy (Best, 2005). The two actions are distinctively different: pitying involves hierarchical differences such that abled and disabled are not treated on the same ground; however, empathy engages oneself to put his foot into others’ shoe, with wholehearted compassion and understanding. This is the point inspired me personally the most; hence, this concept would be integrated into the proposed solutions to narrow the social