Disability Studies Flashcards
Terms and labelling
Terms used to describe people change over time and differ in different societies
Language influences attitudes and there are good reasons for rejecting terminology that causes offence, stigmatisation and promotes injustice
Old definitions - idiot
Unable to guard himself agains common physical dangers
Old definitions- imbecile
Incapable of managing or being taught t manage own affairs
Old definitions - feeble minded
Requires are and supervision for his own protection and for others
Moral imbecile
Not mentally defective
Eugenics
Application of biological principles to upgrade the physical and mental strength of the nation - Charles Darwin
Comments were made on the measures used by parliament which act to protect the poor and disabled he describes them as allowing weak members of society to propagate their kind
Eugenics strategies to prevent degeneration
Sterilisation
Marital regulation
Birth control
Segregation of the unfit
Special school
Began As early as 1892
1944 education act committed the LEA to providing schooling for children which was suitable for their age and aptitude
Meant a rise in special schools
This promoted expertise and material resources and offering a sympathetic environment
The tragedy charity model
Depicts people as victims of circumstance deserving of pity
Traditionally used by charities to fund raise
This model is condemned by critics as disenabling
Causing a tragedy and pity culture
Critics have suggested charity funds should be channeled to promote
- empowerment of disabled people
- full integration into society has equal citizens
Medical model states
Disability results from the persons limitation mental or physical
NOT associated with social or geographical environments
WHO definitions support the model
Impairment: any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure
Disability:any restriction or lack of ability (resulting from an impairment) to perform an activity in the manner considered normal for a human being
Handicap: any disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from an impairment or disability that to prevent the fulfillment of a role that is normal for that individual
Medical model pros cons
Therapeutic benefit
Not offer a realistic viewpoint of disabled people themselves
Discrediting of institutionalised care
Association with Nazis
Hospital scandals - neglect
Growth of therapeutic optimism - professionals in certain areas believe change is possible with new treatment techniques
The social model
Disability is a consequence of environmental social and attitudinal barriers
Defined as: the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the normal life of the community on an equal level to others
Disability stems from a failure of society to adjust to meet the needs and aspirations of the disabled minority
Parallels the doctrine of racial equality
Society must change to meet the needs of disabled people
The removal of attitudinal, physical and institutional barriers will improve the lives of disabled people giving them the same opportunity as others on an equal basis
Social model pros and cons
Pros: focuses on the society and not the individual and it also focuses on the individual
Cons: taken to an extreme it suggests that disability would be eradicated if society was changed in appropriate ways
Does not acknowledge the limitations which may result from the impairment such as (pain) that change to the social context could not remove.
Social adapted/ biopsychosocial
Advocated by WHO:
Based on the social model but with elements of the medical model with the significance of the impairments
It recognises not all impairments can be addressed but if we change the environment it can be less discriminatory
Lack of adaptations contributory to their condition
Disability stems from the lack of adaptations
Advantage does not focus on the disabilities but takes into account people’s capabilities and potential
ICF
International Classification of disability and health
Embodies bio psych social model
Synthesis of the medical model and social approach to disablement
Disability discrimination law
Unlawful for discriminating in employment, trade union and qualification bodies
Access to goods facilities and services
Education
Single equality act 2010
9 protected characteristics Age Disability Sex Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion Sexual orientation
Human Rights
Belong to everyone
Place authorities in the UK include no the government, hospitals, social services -under obligation to treat people with fairness equality dignity and respect
Lesion of disability - mental retardation
Official WHO term and used in the USA
Intellectual disability
Current international term
Learning disability
Official UK term
Designates specific learning difficulty in some countries
Learning difficulty
Used by educational services in the U.K. Such as dyslexia
Mental impairment
Legal term used differently in the DDA and mental health acts
WHO definition learning disability
General impairment of intellectual functioning
Consequences in terms of severe impairment of social functioning
Onset before physical maturity
Therefore excludes people who develop cognitive impairments in adult life
Measured by:
IQ tests measure a range of intellectual skills and knowledge, scores standardised with 100 as the population
Problems assesses narrow range of skills, people LD can have a balance of strengths and weaknesses
Adaptive behaviour:
Measure skills in daily living, generate a series of rating scales
Problems ignore the extent of support from a Carer
Use the measurement to identify those that need help
Epidemiology
No register difficult to estimate numbers
Mild Ld- poverty and disadvantage not an organic cause
Severe LD- more likely organic cause
Trends inc
More adults living with LD
Limited impact of prevention measures
Increasing premature baby survival who have LD
Communication
Distinguish between receptive and expressive communication - some people with LD can understand language than speak it vice versa
Communication problems are often associated with challenging behaviour
Assisted communication:
- environmental adaptation (signs, colour coding)
- interpreters
- assisted communication systems: braille, symbols, message boards, simpler English
Normalisation - Scandinavian approach
Disabled people need to attain adulthood by overcoming the ordinary challenges of life.
So have services to help them and give normal life
Normalisation US approach
Ease of labelling disabled people due to separateness of their appearance, environment and way of life
So be wary of services labelling them as different so need of give them valuable social roles
Universalism
Closures of large institutions for disabled people
Gave them greeter access to public services, employment and community facilities enforced by law
Problems with a rise in consumerism, dismissed responsibility from less engagement with others and disabled seen as negative consumers
Prevention of LD
Pre conception -> screening Down syndrome
Prenatal -> folate in pregnancy
Perinatal -> optimal observation and neonatal care
Postnatal-> health education to reduce accidents and vaccination
Morbidity -
High rate Of chronic disorders in addition to LD
High rate of injuries less able to assess risk
Higher prevalence of epilepsy sensory impairment and mobility problems
Psychiatric disorder
More common - depression - stress coping with dependence and social exclusion
10x autism
Mortality
Life expectancy increase
Higher mortality rates
Often tend to lead unhealthy life styles
Access to healthcare
Poor disorders can go on untreated
People with LD in hospital
Staff not used to people with LD don’t ask for consent correctly
Poor info before admission.
Hospitals lack specialists and facilities
Poor staff training
Visual impairment
Unable to see or see clearly
Visual acuity
Ability to see detail
Distance acuity
UK 6/6
Tested using a Snellen Chart
Aim cause of sight loss in adults
Age related macular degeneration Glaucoma Cataracts Diabetes Retinopathy Trachoma - chlamydia
Refractive error:
Common they occur when they sue cannot clearly focus images resulting in blurred vision sometimes sever it causes visual impairment
3 types
Myopia - distant objects (short sighted)
Hypemetropia - close objects (long sighted)
Astigmatism - distorted vision resulting from an incorrectly shaped cornea
Facts
80% of all visual impairment can be avoided or cured
Typical blind person
Woman
May be widowed
Has AMD
Also has hearing problems, arthritis, CVD, diabetes
Cannot read or write or recognise faces BUT can still be independent
Help available
Guide dog Government benefits Eye clinic liaison officer Social worker Mobility officer Rehabilitation worker
Medical model of deafness
Deafness is a developmental deficiency or disease
Defect can be cured by medication, equipment, technology, surgery,
Individuals adjustment and behavioural change would lead would lead to an effective cure
Main aim of professional is to teach dear people to speak
Deaf people children are reminded that they are different - their speech is not right
Deaf people have a responsibility to make themselves understood
Fit in with the majority
Social model of deafness
Disability is a socially created problem
It is the communication between hearing and deaf people which is the barrier as those who cannot hear cannot use sign language properly
Society creates the barriers through lack of awareness, attitudes, lack of accessible information for deaf people
Isolation is a big problem
Oppression and discrimination of deaf people - poor access to services
Need to manipulate the social environment to improve access and participation
Cultural model of deafness
Those using BSL see themselves as a part of a social, cultural and linguistic minority
Deaf people do not see themselves as disabled
Shared history and belief system
Positive towards their deafness
Minority language not a disability
Communication
Most deaf people will use English by residual hearing, lip reading and speech
Sign language of which there are 200 variations
Dos
Clearly at normal speed
Minimal background noise and good light
Talk face to face
Gain attention by tapping waving stamping feet
Don’ts
Shout Cover mouth Speak too fast Assume a nod means I understand Don't ask do you understand
Degrees of deafness
Hard of hearing - acquired or gradual loss
Moderately deaf
Severely deaf - can’t hear a phone
Profoundly deaf - born or became deaf in early childhood sometimes have no hearing
Deafened - deaf after acquiring language
Deaf blind - born one become the other
Interpreters
It is the organisations responsibility to pay and book a interpreter not the deaf persons
Shortage of interpreters takes 7 years to become fully qualified
Before booking need to make sure they meet the deaf persons needs and all deaf peoples needs are different
Interpreter does not offer opinions
Need to make sure they interpret things both ways
Contact a deaf person. Text fax email videophone type talk or text phone
