Introduction
Speaking about disability, it is primarily necessary to understand what this term means. At first glance, the definition of “disability” does not raise significant questions, but the models of disability perception behind this definition are diverse. Nevertheless, modern ideas about disability rely most on social explanations that suggest that disability problems are not physical but in certain factors and barriers that cause economic dependence and lead to the fact that many people become poor and isolated, socially excluded. In modern society, the social model of disability is most closely associated with such terms as equality and equity, the unity of which makes it possible to eradicate and prevent the spread of several barriers against people with disabilities.
Analysis
The Social Model of Disability
Before assessing existing and eliminated barriers, it is necessary to characterize such a concept as the social model of disability. In this case, it should be understood that in modern society, the traditional model of defining disability as a health disorder is being replaced by a social model of understanding disability. It argues that the cause of disability lies in the existing barriers around a person: physical, organizational, or “relational” barriers erected on stereotypes and prejudices. A person with a disability with such a model is not a “carrier of a problem.” On the contrary, society creates problems and barriers in such a person’s life and the imperfection of social systems. Accordingly, the integration of people with disabilities into society should not be carried out on a “diagnostic” basis, be narrowly focused on a particular deviation or disease, and be carried out in closed institutions following a “disease.” Society needs to overcome negative attitudes toward disabilities, eradicate them, and provide people with disabilities with equal opportunities to participate fully in all spheres of social activity.
The Idea of Equality vs. Equity
In the context of social systems, the terms justice and equality have similar but slightly different meanings. Incorrect and inaccurate application of one concept in comparison with another can lead to entirely different and sometimes unexpected results for some categories of people. Accordingly, equality has to do with giving everyone the same resources. It refers to scenarios where all segments of society have the same level of opportunities and support. Consequently, equity implies allocating resources depending on recipients’ requirements. Equity expands the concept of equality to include the provision of different levels of support relying on individual needs or abilities.
Dismantling Barriers
Over the past few decades, there have been reasonably high dynamics of development, transformation, and evolution of such components as equality, equity, honesty, and justice concerning unique and inimitable citizens. One should note that the long struggle for the rights of the disabled partially mitigated the problem in the field of accessibility, relying simultaneously on social and medical models of disability. Some barriers have been eliminated and continue to be eradicated due to several interventions of all residents of the country who are not indifferent to the situation. Since the beginning of the 20th century, interest in exceptional people and the formation of special leagues and associations for disabled people have increased dramatically (Meldon 1). For example, the League of the Physically Handicapped struggled for employment during the Great Depression. At the same time, the National Association for Retarded Children searched for alternative forms of care and education for children.
However, in general, a significant proportion of systemic barriers have been eliminated through interventions of the Government. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the subsequent ADA Amendments Act are the most outstanding achievements in disability history (Meldon 1). Thus, the legislation of the United States has provided various measures for social integration and support of people with disabilities for several dozen years. For instance, from now on, the laws prohibit denying employment to those disabled people who are able to perform their official duties fully. Relatively recently, one of the American companies has increased employment in the technology sector through an apprenticeship as part of expanding labor force participation rates (Chase 1). Consequently, after successfully passing special training, an individual is guaranteed to get a job in accordance with current regulations and ethical standards.
In addition, prejudice against persons with disabilities regarding access to housing is now restricted in the country. Existing laws require exceptions for blind tenants and allow them to live with guide dogs, even if the rules of a housing complex prohibit pets. Authorities at all levels strive to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to their services, including those related to health, education, transport, leisure, and others. Buildings where these services are provided, such as schools or other public places, should be equipped with ramps and other devices for wheelchair users, and elevators should be equipped with special buttons with relief font. Cities’ infrastructures are well adapted for the disabled, and notable exits from sidewalks are standard. City buses are equipped with platforms for wheelchair boarding, and elevators are installed at metro stations to move from city streets to a station. A particular social transport, “Paratransit,” is widely distributed for those who cannot use public transport due to disability and local peculiarities.
This means that today the attitude towards an “incapacitated person” and their capabilities has radically changed. Thus, over the past decades, people have achieved remarkable progress in realizing equal rights and opportunities for every person, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities, primarily due to the work and perseverance of all concerned. Every year people with disabilities have more access to the best quality of life, and their wishes are taken into account.
Current Barriers
Appealing to the social model of disability, one should remark that attitudinal, physical, systemic, communication, technological, and digital barriers are still the most widespread in modern society. According to experts, people with disabilities are forced to face the phenomena of stigmatization, discrimination, intolerance, labeling, and stereotyping daily (The Biggest Barrier). People tend to notice sensations that differ from “normal,” initially branding people and therefore, prejudices against special people remain a very urgent problem (Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution). Indeed, such obstacles prevent them from living fully — engaging in daily activities, working, studying, and interacting with others.
The lack of accessibility for disabled individuals in the United States and several other countries is taken for granted. For example, there is still a considerable number of physical barriers that hinder or block mobility in both natural and artificial environments. As a rule, they include buildings inaccessible to wheelchairs, inefficient street lighting for people with poor eyesight, sidewalks too narrow for walking, or door handles that are difficult for people with arthritis to grasp (The Biggest Barrier). Moreover, the lack of accessible transportation exacerbates the segregation of people with disabilities in society, making it difficult or impossible for them to meet friends and relatives, work outside the home, or use public facilities and institutions such as museums, theaters, and parks. People with sensory disabilities sometimes note the lack of visual and relief designations for the accessibility of public transport or services. Despite some positive initiatives taken in recent years, the Government has to do much more to ensure that people with disabilities have the right to an accessible environment.
Obstacles at the integration phase in employment are another example of barriers for unique nationals. Remarkably, they often cannot fully meet the requirements of employers and do not get access to participate in an interview, and have the risk of being completely excluded from employment (McKinney and Swartz 2299). Many continue to experience intolerance due to disability not only when applying for a position but also in working conditions, missing out on opportunities for professional growth or even finding a job. Some organizations do not understand what potential benefits they may lose by continuing to promote the spread of such barriers.
Intolerance against people with disabilities is rife everywhere, even in the healthcare system. Thus, Gudlavalleti (8) claim that many people with disabilities encounter disappointing health results and severe problems with access to health services. These moments are associated mainly with biases of medical specialists, inadequate skills, and inappropriate infrastructure for care (Gudlavalleti 8). Furthermore, the reasonably progressive laws in the United States guarantee exceptional citizens access to infrastructure, information, education, and healthcare. Nonetheless, the Government does not correctly ensure its consistent implementation and performance of other laws related to availability.
Therefore, for many people with disabilities, elementary aspects of everyday life are difficult or even impossible due to many barriers. They may be physical, such as the absence of a ramp or elevator at a railway station or in an office building. In addition, these challenges may have a negative perspective leading to discrimination by employers, doctors, transport drivers, or sellers. As a result, a considerable number of differently-abled individuals do not leave home for a long time, receive incomplete or poor-quality education, may never start a family, or not be realized professionally. However, it is essential to add that it is impossible to cover all the existing barriers to people with disabilities in this brief analysis essay. Anyway, the ideas and concepts mentioned above are enough for a general understanding of a picture of a situation.
Conclusion
Summarizing the above, it is necessary to emphasize that according to the socio-cultural model, both the ability and inability of a person to do anything are determined by mechanisms and barriers — from the physical environment created by a person to the school assessment system. However, it is also essential to take into account the concepts of equality and justice. Equality is the result of treating everyone without distinction; each person is treated without regard to their measurable attributes. Fairness means fairness and equality in results, not just in support and opportunities. In general, many barriers have been eliminated over the past few years due to the efforts of both citizens and the country’s government, which strives to provide people with disabilities with all the resources and opportunities necessary for a full life. Nevertheless, several barriers still require special attention. For example, people with disabilities are not always and not in all cases able to receive high-quality medical care, are denied work, and are forced to live in an environment that does not assume special people’s wishes.
Works Cited
Chase, Yolánda L. et al. “Dismantling Barriers for Disability Inclusion.” Apprenti, Web.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. Directed by James LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham, Netflix, 2020.
Gudlavalleti, Venkata S. Murthy. “Challenges in Accessing Health Care for People with Disability in The South Asian Context: A Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 15, no. 11, 2018, 1-11, Web.
McKinney, Emma Louise, and Leslie Swartz. “Employment Integration Barriers: Experiences of People with Disabilities.” The International Journal of Human Resource Management, vol. 32, no. 10, 2021, 2298-2320, Web.
Meldon, Perri. “Disability History: The Disability Rights Movement.” The National Park Service, Web.
“The Biggest Barrier for People with Disability Is How Society Disables Them.” EPIC Employment Inc., Web.