Avery History of Disability - Introduction

History of Disability

January 9th, 2024 by Fischer Avery

Introduction

Disability is defined in modern times as any condition of the mind or body that disrupts their ability to participate in certain activities or interact appropriately to the world around them. The understanding of disabilities has evolved from a primitive state to the point of modern day treatment. In order to promote a better understanding of disability and the historical development of this concept over time, some major events, the progression of stereotypes related to disabilities, and differing cultural perceptions must be discussed, recognized, and considered (Retief & Letsosa, 2018). 

Historical and Contemporary Overview

In the 1700s, those who were born with disabilities were oftentimes subject to either living a nearly entirely sheltered lifestyle through care from family, or were subject to discrimination due to their differences in functioning and appearance that made them less than desirable as members of society. In the 1700s, a disability was essentially a death sentence as families oftentimes were unable to properly care for and control their loved ones with disabilities due to lack of education and proper resources like medication that can be used today. In the 1800s, those with disabilities started becoming relocated in designated homes and institutions that could properly monitor and care for these individuals, however, the living situations and dynamics in these homes and facilities were very poor. By the late 1800s, some small activist groups had formed but lacked power and influence. By the 1900s, more and more disabilities slowly became coined and an understanding of the differences in different physical and mental conditions improved. Treatments based on the presenting symptoms experienced by disabled individuals developed quicker and quicker as the 2000s came closer and closer. Discrimination against disabled individuals became less and less acceptable as the major disabilities rights movement came in full swing in the 1970's. Nations were pressured to develop legislation that ensured that different services like transportation and finance were available to these populations as much as they were for non-disabled citizens. The Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and the subsequent ADA Amendments Act of 2008 would become the most recognizable and successful feats for the disabled movement. Individuals with disabilities still experience serious trouble with employment due to their conditions, which further exacerbates the sense of hopelessness that these individual's and their families may experience in modern times. However, those with disabilities in modern times have sufficient access to treatment and services that are meant to provide them with resources, finances, and opportunities that allow them to live normal everyday lives to the best of their ability (Rotoli et al., 2022).

Stereotypes 

Stereotypes of those with disabilities have historically been inaccurate and misleading. Stereotypes regarding mentally disabled people tend to assert that those with mental disabilities are dysfunctional, unpredictable, and even dangerous. It has not been uncommon historically for people with a very wide range of mental disabilities to be categorized into the label of being "retarded", despite the fact that there is a wide range of different disabilities that have different effects, symptoms, and levels of disruption in everyday life. The truth is that different mental disabilities present very differently, and to box those with minor disabilities with those who are genuinely uncontrollable and potentially dangerous is a gross over generalization that negatively affects the everyday lives of the disabled. On the contrary, those with physical disabilities are often stereotyped as being innocent and in constant need of assistance. This is a misconception in the sense that people with disabilities are not always perfectly innocent and they have the ability to adapt and develop a way to live with their condition. It is undermining to treat someone as though they constantly need help, or that they are so different that they need to be treated in a gentle or even child-like manner (Rohmer & Louvet, 2018). 

Cultural Perceptions

How disabilities are viewed within a particular society, area, or population is heavily dependent upon the cultural values that are held by the majority within that population. Cultures define how people interpret the world around them, including the assumptions that they make regarding those with disabilities and how they believe they should interact with such individuals. For example, whereas disabilities in Asian cultures may actually attribute disabilities to divine intervention concepts like Karma, White American culture views disabilities as having a direct biological and genetic component that is essentially random (Shuttleworth & Kasnitz, 2005).

References

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         https://youtu.be/xFcH4lg62zE?si=YBXsmmWBEOVUSQMU

Babcock, B. (2019). When is being defined by your disability a good thing? [Illustration].

         https://returntowellness.co.uk/2019/03/06/being-defined-by-your-disability/

Retief, M., & Letšosa, R. (2018). Models of disability: A brief overview. HTS Teologiese

         Studies/Theological Studies, 74(1).

Rohmer, O., & Louvet, E. (2018). Implicit stereotyping against people with disability. Group Processes &

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Rotoli, J. M., Backster, A., Poffenberger, C., & Coates, W. C. (2022). Promoting access and equity: A

         historical perspective of healthcare access for people with disabilities. Cureus, 14(11), e31594.

         https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31594

Shuttleworth, R., & Kasnitz, D. (2005). The cultural context of disability. Encyclopedia of disability, 1,

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        disabilityhistory.org/2016/05/subversive-access-disability-history.html