1.1 Defining disability and its various types
3 min read•august 15, 2024
Disability is complex, affecting physical, mental, and social functioning. It includes visible and invisible conditions, ranging from mild to severe. Understanding disability types helps us grasp the diverse experiences people face.
The way we view disability shapes society's response. Medical models focus on "fixing" individuals, while social models emphasize removing barriers. Both perspectives influence policies, healthcare, and social attitudes toward disability.
Defining Disability and its Categories
Types of Disabilities
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- Disability encompasses impairments, activity limitations, or participation restrictions affecting physical, mental, or social functioning
- Physical disabilities limit mobility, strength, or dexterity (spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy)
- Sensory disabilities impair one or more senses (vision loss, hearing impairment, vestibular disorders)
- Cognitive disabilities affect mental processes like learning, memory, and communication (autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, learning disabilities)
- Mental health disabilities impact emotional well-being, behavior, and thought processes (depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
- Severity ranges from mild to severe, with disabilities being congenital or acquired throughout life
- Intersectionality recognizes individuals may experience multiple types of disabilities simultaneously
Complexity and Variability of Disability
- Disability severity varies greatly among individuals
- Congenital disabilities present from birth
- Acquired disabilities develop later in life due to illness, injury, or aging
- Impact of disabilities differs based on individual circumstances and environmental factors
- Functional limitations vary widely even within the same disability category
- occurs when multiple disabilities or health conditions coexist
- Disability experiences shaped by personal, social, and cultural contexts
Visible vs Invisible Disabilities
Characteristics and Perceptions
- readily observed by others (wheelchair use, prosthetic limb)
- not immediately apparent (chronic pain, mental health disorders, neurological conditions)
- Individuals with visible disabilities face immediate societal barriers and
- Visible disabilities often receive more readily available accommodations and support
- Those with invisible disabilities struggle with credibility and skepticism
- Perception of disability visibility impacts social interactions, employment opportunities, and access to services
Challenges and Implications
- and stereotypes associated with both visible and invisible disabilities lead to discrimination
- Visible disabilities may result in immediate assumptions about capabilities
- Invisible disabilities require frequent explanation or justification for needed accommodations
- Self-disclosure decisions for invisible disabilities involve privacy concerns and potential discrimination
- Workplace challenges differ for visible and invisible disabilities (physical accessibility vs. flexible schedules)
- Social support and understanding vary based on disability visibility
- Public awareness and education crucial for addressing misconceptions about both types of disabilities
Social vs Medical Models of Disability
Medical Model of Disability
- Views disability as a problem within the individual requiring "fixing" or "curing"
- Focuses on medical intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation
- Historically dominated healthcare and policy approaches
- Emphasizes individual adaptation to societal norms
- Promotes medical research for cures and therapies
- Can lead to medicalization of disability and overemphasis on "normalcy"
- Influences healthcare systems, insurance policies, and disability benefits
Social Model of Disability
- Posits societal barriers and attitudes as primary disabling factors
- Emphasizes need for societal change, accessibility, and inclusion
- Influenced disability rights movements, policy development, and advocacy efforts
- Promotes and reasonable accommodations
- Focuses on removing environmental and attitudinal barriers
- Encourages self-advocacy and empowerment of individuals with disabilities
- Shapes inclusive education practices and workplace accommodations
Key Terms to Review (17)
Ableism: Ableism refers to discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities, often rooted in the belief that typical abilities are superior. This viewpoint shapes societal attitudes and behaviors, affecting the portrayal of disability in various forms of artistic expression and influencing how disabled individuals are represented and perceived.
Acquired Disability: An acquired disability is a type of disability that occurs after birth due to injury, illness, or other health conditions, as opposed to being present at birth. This can include a range of physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments that arise from various causes such as accidents, diseases, or environmental factors. Understanding acquired disabilities is essential as they reflect the dynamic nature of disability and the potential for change in individuals' lives over time.
Cognitive Disability: Cognitive disability refers to a range of conditions that affect a person's ability to think, learn, and process information. It encompasses challenges in areas like memory, problem-solving, and comprehension, significantly impacting daily life and social interactions. Understanding cognitive disabilities is crucial as it highlights the diversity of human experiences and the need for inclusive practices in education and beyond.
Comorbidity: Comorbidity refers to the presence of one or more additional disorders or diseases occurring simultaneously with a primary disorder. This concept is particularly important in understanding the complexity of disability, as it highlights how multiple conditions can interact and influence an individual's overall health and functioning. Recognizing comorbidity is crucial for effective treatment and support, as individuals with disabilities may face compounded challenges that require a more holistic approach to care.
Congenital Disability: A congenital disability is a physical or mental condition that is present from birth, resulting from genetic factors, environmental influences, or a combination of both. These disabilities can affect various aspects of a person's development and may impact their physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being throughout their life. Understanding congenital disabilities helps in recognizing their diverse nature and the importance of early intervention and support for affected individuals.
Disablism: Disablism refers to the discrimination, prejudice, and negative attitudes directed toward individuals with disabilities. It encompasses the societal beliefs and practices that marginalize and devalue people with disabilities, often stemming from misconceptions and stereotypes about their capabilities. Understanding disablism is crucial for recognizing how societal structures and representations contribute to the experiences of those with disabilities.
Discrimination: Discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or disability. This term highlights the systemic barriers that affect marginalized groups, often leading to unequal access to opportunities and resources. In the context of disability, discrimination can manifest in various forms, including social stigma and institutional policies that limit participation in everyday activities, including the arts.
Intersectionality in Disability: Intersectionality in disability refers to the framework that explores how various social identities—such as race, gender, sexuality, and socio-economic status—interact with disability to create unique experiences of discrimination or privilege. This perspective highlights that individuals do not experience disability in isolation but rather through the lens of their overlapping identities, which can compound the effects of marginalization and accessibility challenges.
Invisible Disabilities: Invisible disabilities refer to physical, mental, or cognitive conditions that are not immediately apparent to others but can significantly impact a person's daily life. These disabilities can include chronic pain, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and more, which often lead to misunderstandings and a lack of support from society due to their unseen nature.
Medical Model: The medical model is a framework for understanding disability that views it primarily as a deficiency or impairment that needs to be treated or cured. This perspective focuses on the physical or mental limitations of individuals, often neglecting the broader social, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to their experiences. The medical model typically leads to interventions aimed at rehabilitation and normalization, emphasizing the individual's need to adapt to societal expectations rather than questioning the barriers that society itself creates.
Mental Health Disability: Mental health disability refers to a range of mental health conditions that significantly impact an individual's daily life, functioning, and overall well-being. These disabilities can encompass mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and other mental illnesses that affect cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and social interactions. Understanding this term is essential as it highlights the various ways mental health challenges can manifest and how they intersect with the broader concept of disability.
Physical Disability: Physical disability refers to a condition that significantly impairs an individual's physical functioning, mobility, or dexterity. This type of disability can stem from various causes, including injury, illness, or genetic disorders, and affects how individuals interact with their environment. Understanding physical disability is crucial as it encompasses a wide range of experiences and challenges faced by individuals in various aspects of life, including the arts and performance industries.
Sensory Disability: Sensory disability refers to a limitation or impairment in one or more of the senses, including sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell. This type of disability can affect an individual's ability to interact with their environment and communicate effectively, leading to challenges in daily life. Understanding sensory disabilities is crucial for recognizing how they influence individual experiences and societal perceptions of disability.
Social Model: The social model is a framework for understanding disability that emphasizes the societal barriers and attitudes that restrict individuals with disabilities, rather than viewing disability solely as a medical issue or a personal deficit. This model shifts the focus from the individual's impairments to the impact of the environment, social structures, and cultural norms that can create disadvantages, arguing that disability arises from the interaction between individuals and their surroundings.
Stigma: Stigma refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs that society holds towards individuals with disabilities, often leading to discrimination and exclusion. This societal perception can create barriers that not only affect how people with disabilities see themselves but also how they are treated in various aspects of life, including social interactions and artistic endeavors. Stigma can manifest in various forms, including stereotypes, prejudice, and social rejection, which all contribute to a broader culture of misunderstanding and marginalization.
Universal Design: Universal design is an approach to design that aims to create products, environments, and experiences that are accessible and usable by all people, regardless of their age, ability, or status. This concept emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring that everyone can participate fully in various aspects of life, including art and culture.
Visible Disabilities: Visible disabilities refer to physical impairments that are easily noticeable to others, such as mobility issues, limb differences, or facial disfigurements. These disabilities can often lead to immediate perceptions and assumptions about a person's capabilities and experiences, highlighting the need for awareness and understanding in societal interactions.