

There is evidence of humans during prehistory that looked after people with disabilities. ( February 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ĭontemporary understandings of disability derive from concepts that arose during the scientific Enlightenment in the west prior to the Enlightenment, physical differences were viewed through a different lens. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. This section needs additional citations for verification. While disabled activists still promote the integration of disabled people into mainstream society, several disabled-only spaces have been created to foster a disability community-such as with art, social media, and sports. The ostracization of disability from mainstream society has created the opportunity for a disability culture to emerge. The recognition of disability as an identity that is experienced differently based on the other multi-faceted identities of the individual is one often pointed out by disabled self-advocates. Since negative perceptions of disability are pervasive in modern society, disabled people have turned to self-advocacy in an attempt to push back against their marginalization. Although disability activism serves to dismantle ableist systems, social norms relating to the perception of disabilities are often reinforced by tropes used by the media. Disability activists have fought to receive equal and equitable rights under the law-though there are still political issues that enable or advance the oppression of disabled people. disabled person) when referring to disability and an individual.ĭue to the marginalization of disabled people, there have been several activist causes that push for equitable treatment and access in society. person who is disabled) or identity-first language (i.e. A current point of contention is whether it is appropriate to use person-first language (i.e. Some terms have such a negative connotation that they are considered to be slurs. While some terms solely exist to describe phenomena pertaining to disability, others have been centered around stigmatizing and ostracizing those with disabilities. There are many different terms that exist to explain different aspects relating to disability. Although the medical model and social model are the most common frames for disability, there are a multitude of other models that theorize disability. The social model centers disability as a societally-created limitation on individuals who do not have the same ability as the majority of the population. Those who ascribe to the medical model tend to focus on finding the root causes of disabilities, as well as any cures-such as assistive technology. The medical model serves as a theoretical framework that considers disability as an undesirable medical condition that requires specialized treatment.

There are two main models that attempt to explain disability in our society: the medical model and the social model. ĭisabilities have been perceived differently throughout history, through a variety of different theoretical lenses.
List of invisible disabilities full#
Long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines disability as: A disability may be readily visible, or invisible in nature.

Historically, disabilities have only been recognized based on a narrow set of criteria-however, disabilities are not binary and can be present in unique characteristics depending on the individual. Disabilities can be present from birth or can be acquired during a person's lifetime. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of multiple factors. Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society.
