SOC212 - 11. Disability Flashcards
People with Disabilities
Global Context
People with disabilities often denied access to normal
social interaction with others.
People with Disabilities
People tend to focus on what the person cannot do, rather than on what the person can do.
People with disabilities (PWD) are sometimes denied employment and housing based on their disability.
People with Disabilities
experience many of the same social reactions as deviants,
such as stigma and social rejection.
50% of world
Most do not regard it as deviant and criminal
Difference vs Deviance
Sociology of difference vs. sociology of deviance.
People with physical disabilities often encounter isolation, segregation + discrimination in their interactions with others (Nagler, 1993).
Obstacles
People with disabilities can face obstacles including: Forming relationships Following normative guidelines Conforming to adult roles Structural issues
Impairment
loss of some ability, usually caused by some physical reason
Affects how they speak - Motor skills
Impairment
Sometimes, a physical conditions present at birth
inhibit functions in the optic nerve, the portion of the
brain that controls:
Talking, a limb, or the inner ear, etc.
Disability
loss of function that accompanies an impairment
describes effect of that loss on affected person’s activities.
Handicap
limitation on normal activities of self-care + mobility that results from some impairment
Thus, physical conditions determine impairments,
whereas disabilities + handicaps represent social
+ behavioral consequences of those impairments
Condition vs Behaviour
central difference between a physical disability and deviance is its identity as a condition rather than a behaviour
Society regards criminal offenders + drug addicts as choosing forms of deviance.
Condition vs Behaviour
less of a behaviour and more of a condition
not seen as stemming from choice
Condition vs Behaviour
assigns deviant status to people with visible physical handicaps, physiologically obese people, + intellectually disabled because they are outside normative conceptions
Disabilities & the Idea of Deviance
Physically disabled persons acquire deviant identities
not as a result of their behaviors, rather because of
they are different, violate social norms
Society defines conditions + behavior, as examples of deviance
Master Status
Disability can become a master status.
Deviant labels may depend on the individual’s perceived responsibility for condition.
Master Status
other aspects of identity filtered through most important status
Disability and the Sick Role
Parsons (1951), sick role emerges from two interrelated sets of exemptions.
Most people exempt individuals defined as ill from certain
obligations and responsibilities.
Disability and the Sick Role
No one blames them for their illnesses, nor does anyone
expect their conditions to improve due to their motivation
alone.
sometimes there can be perks, but generally seen as undersirable
Disability and the Sick Role
Four elements make-up the sick role:
- No attribution of responsibility of individuals for their own conditions
- Exemptions from normal role obligations.
Disability and the Sick Role
- Recognition of undesirable character of illness despite the benefits of these role exemptions.
- An obligation to seek help to heal sickness.
Disability and the Sick Role
ablist
disability still are able to take care of themselves
deterministic
biased - doesn’t incorporate view of disabled
doesn’t challenge social order
defines disability as deviance
Blindness
humanitarian movement promoted attempt to restore
self-confidence and self-reliance by:
• Securing a relief status
• Creating special schools
Blindness
Common public stereotypes:
• Helplessness
• Dependency
• Useless
Blindness
totally blind: absence of sensation + perception
legally blind: can still see within a 20 degree arc
functionally blind: can see but can’t read ordinary newspaper even with corrective lenses
people can have vision problems but still be able to see something
Blindness
change in perception of blindness
before - relegated to inferior roles
movement - tried to change meaning
tertiary deviance
Blindness
braile: 1821 - was blind from age of 3 can be expensive new mechanical rigors less popular now in uk only 4% can functionally use braile
Intellectual Disability
People with intellectual disabilities are limited as to intelligence and ability to perform cognitive tasks.
stats are rare
in US - 3% suffer from some form
Intellectual Disability
Three elements define this disability (Evans, 1983):
• do not learn as quickly or as much
• do not retain as much information
• weak powers of mental abstraction
Intellectual Disability
Society set the highest value on the ability to think. It helps them to plan and arrange their lives, to manage all their
affairs.
Those who lack these attributes experience most stigma.
Intellectual Disability
society values ability to think
helps people manage lives, relationships
implies being unfit
regard it as people that can lack even basic competence - not true
Intellectual Disability
spectrum of disability
learning disability is common (e.g. dyslexia)
we don’t really know population
in ontario - 6%
relies on self reporting and also the stigma prevents them from self reporting
Physical Handicaps
some from birth or accidents
depending on culture sometimes labeled, sometimes not
Inability to perform physical tasks for oneself in certain cases
Physical Handicaps
Depending on the importance society places on physical health, attractiveness, and competence, individuals with physical handicaps may be labeled deviant
Occupational roles, social relationships, social participation
Marriages, job changes and social isolation
Body Size
People who are excessively fat, tall, or short often face
stigma and ridicule.
Appearance norms value thinness for women and slim,
muscular builds for males (Schur, 1984).
Body Size
sometimes seen as a disability
norms related to attractiveness, beauty, femininity, masculinity
happens through socialization
Body Size
moral foundations - seen as unwilling to control behaviour regardless of consequences
lack of self-restraint
Body Size
Attitudes of rejection toward obese persons are socially
constructed through culture, usually at an early age
body size one remaining social discrimination
body shaming can be seen as appropriate
Socialization and Disability
Most physical disabilities are a result of physical trauma or
disease.
Some individuals assume sick role, although many have difficulty because it goes against their own values.
Socialization and Disability
deal with it emotionally, mentally
developmental stages
what do i do now?
some will change their approach
Disability as a “Career”
Career disability that amounts to secondary deviance, results from role adaptation rather than formation of a new role
Disability as a “Career”
Professionals and Agencies
Professional assistance from doctors or counselors are crucial in shaping an individuals’ self-concept + transition to career disability
Disability as a “Career”
Subcultures and Groups
Disability focused subcultures serve many functions
solidarity, public awareness, provide services (relationships to employment), advocacy
Managing Disability
Stigma: perjorative judgement
prejudice towards a certain group of people or individual
have to manage, cope with, disassociate from stigma
Managing Disability
Disabled individuals have to deal with various issues as a result of their conditions
Managing Disability
Although, deviant labels result from a condition rather than
behavior, disabled individuals still have to utilize management techniques to manage stigma
Disability Rights Movement (Canada)
Pre-1970s: more second class citizens
1970s: began to organize, fought for same rights as others
wanted to be equal participants
1976-77: right to be free from discrimination
receive support
Disability Rights Movement (Canada)
Canadian Human Rights Act
1982: part of constitution
fear that if included means they would have to make expensive infrastructure changes “would bankrupt canada”
Disability Rights Movement (Canada)
Canadian Charter of Rights + Freedoms
Original drafts of Charter did not include disability as a protected ground under section 15
2009: first time they were included in the conversation
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S.)
1975 – The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
was intended to stop discrimination against children with
disabilities.
Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S.)
Before passage of the act, many children had been excluded from public schools, institutionalized, or placed in programs with little or no learning component.
2008/2009 – The Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S.)
Made huge strides for disabled individuals.
Employment
Monetary discrimination relief
Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S.)
National awareness
Broadened definitions of “disability” such that more conditions can be included in the act
Onwards
Barriers: sidewalks, restaurant, stores, transportations most places have stairs expensive to make changes buildings designed are discriminatory accessibility seen as an afterthought
Onwards
Language: dumb, stupid, retarted
part of our common language - don’t see it as discriminatory
see able bodied as the default
Onwards
even happens in research design - assume everyone is able bodies
Technology: better prosthetics
catching up a bit
Onwards
• 3D Printing: persons with disability as opposed to disabled
can get dolls with disabilities
• Advocacy: campaigns
• Media Representation: extremes - good/bad
superpowers
Onwards
-more nuanced representations now in the media
ppl not defined by disabilities
not who or what they are
have everyday problems, desires, concerns, relationships
Videos & Resources
sex with disabilities:
person with disabilities - puts person first
pure or virginal or a villain
Videos & Resources
-seen as not getting sex
are ppl with intellectual abilities able to consent?
ppl with disabilities have needs and desires
Videos & Resources
-sexual surrogates:
rights for having sex are tricky
can be seen as sex work
