Disabilities Make It Harder To Take Part In Normal Daily Activities

People who have a disability or are suffering from physical, sensory or even mental impairments, doing or even performing a normal everyday task is very difficult for them. Using a broad definition like this almost 20 percent of the entire population lives with some form of a disability or the other. Some disabilities may be temporary such as a broken hip while others can be relatively minor such as vision impairments which can be modified with corrective lenses. Other disabilities which can be classified as severe may not be termed as a handicap which causes the inability to take part in a community life on an equal level with others. A perfect example for this is a person who even though uses a wheelchair is still able to live an independent life regardless of the fact that his physical and social barriers to mobility have been removed.

Disabled people have made lots of efforts to establish certain legal rights that would mark a sharp contrast with the traditional U.S. Public Policy. Before the 1970's most legislation such as the Social Security or public assistance entitlements which dealt with the problems of people with disabilities provided a limited financial support or specific services. Most of the changes that took place in the 1970's and the 1980 have centered the rights of disabled people. These were centered to the same protection under the law that was enjoyed by the rest of the common population.

The court has come with new decisions and new laws which embody certain civil rights of people having disabilities who have affected several areas of life. With the case of education the federal law is now guaranteeing a free and appropriate public education to all the disabled children regardless of the severity of their condition. When it comes to the areas of employment the state laws prohibit any kind of discrimination against the disabled people. The federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has made it a rule that businesses which handle federal contracts should practice affirmative action in employing people with disabilities and also make reasonable accommodations for their needs. There has been another advancement regarding the placement of previously institutionalized people with mental disabilities who have now been moved to community living facilities and group homes that would provide an environment that is more similar to those of able bodied people.

While advocating for their rights the disabled people have established various important principles; one of them being that they be considered on the basis of individual merit but not on stereotyped assumptions regarding disabilities. The other is that the society must make certain changes to enable them to participate more easily in business and social activities. A perfect example is having building entrances, transportation and theatres easily accessible to wheelchairs. The third and final principle is that, to the extent appropriate for each individual, disabled peoples should be in contact with people who are not disabled.

Almost one in every five people have a disability in the United States of America. There are some people who are born with disabilities. Then there are others who get sick or have an accident which results in a disability. Some disabilities are developed with age. It is said that everyone has some sort of disability at one point or the other.

• John Palsson
• 18/04/2009, 12:59 AM
• 0 Comments