Disability Awareness Training

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Disability: A New Paradigm

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.

 

World Health Organization (WHO) – New definition of Disability

In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) established a new definition of disability, declaring it an umbrella term with several components:

• impairments: a problem in body function or structure
• activity limitations: a difficulty encountered by a person in executing a task or action
• participation restrictions:  a problem experienced by a person in involvement in life situations.

The new definition is based on human rights or social models, and focuses on the interaction between a person with a disability and the environment.

 

Redefining Disability according to the WHO (2:16) Read

Valerie Fletcher, Adaptive Environments, Boston, MA

 

Social or Human Rights – New Model

The new definition of disability:

• Emphasizes the contextual
• Focuses on the role played by society in defining, causing, or maintaining disability, or disabling experiences
• Respects individual abilities and choices

Definition of disability
OLD APPROACH	NEW PARADIGM
A diagnosis A medical "problem” A person is limited and defined by the impairment or condition	A social and environmental issue that deals with accessibility, accommodations, and equity Individuals with temporary or permanent impairments require accommodations to live full and independent lives
Strategies to address disability
OLD APPROACH	NEW PARADIGM
Fix the individual Correct the deficit within the individual Provide medical, vocational, or psychological rehabilitation services	Remove barriers: physical, intellectual, cultural and educational Create access through accommodations, universal design, and inclusive learning environments
Role of person with disability
OLD APPROACH	NEW PARADIGM
Object of intervention Patient Research subject	Community member Participant in cultural discourse Decision maker Customer, museum patron, artist, critic

 

Accessibility and “Invisible” Disabilities

It is important to remember that many people who benefit from accessible accommodations may not identify themselves as being a person with a disability. WHY?

Changes may be temporary, the result of an accident or a side effect of medication.  Changes may be incremental, and happen slowly over time, so the moment when we identify ourselves as having a disability never arrives. Most people over 60 have or will have “acquired limitations.” As we age, we can’t walk as far, and our eyes, ears and hands don’t work as well.

But the need for accessibility remains – for better lighting, larger print, magnified sound, accessible elevators and bathrooms, more seating. Therefore, the investment in making your institution and programming accessible benefits a broad range of visitors, staff and other users.

 

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