Disability Study Guide

📖 Core Concepts Disability – a condition that makes activities or full societal participation harder, especially when combined with environmental barriers. Impairment vs. Disability – Impairment = loss/abnormality of a body function/structure; Disability = social restrictions caused by that impairment. Medical Model – sees disability as an individual problem needing cure or treatment. Social Model – locates disability in inaccessible environments, attitudes, and policies. Integrated Models – combine medical and social perspectives (e.g., medical‑humanities approach). Person‑First Language – “person with a disability”; emphasizes the individual before the condition. Identity‑First Language – “disabled person”; stresses that disability is part of identity and often a political statement. Neurodiversity – frames neurological variation (autism, ADHD, etc.) as natural human diversity, not pathology. ICF Domains – nine areas of functioning (e.g., learning, mobility, communication, self‑care, interpersonal interactions, community life). Intersectionality – overlapping identities (gender, race, class) create unique disability experiences that are more than the sum of each part. 📌 Must Remember UN Definition – long‑term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments + barriers = hindered participation. Key Models: Medical (cure‑oriented), Social (access‑oriented), Spectrum (continuum of visibility), Economic (productivity loss), Empowering (person‑centered decision‑making). People‑First vs. Identity‑First – US law & APA favor people‑first; UK and many activist groups favor identity‑first. Major Rights Instruments: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), ADA (US). Stigma Types (Attribution Theory): Physical → uncontrollable → pity; Mental/behavioral → controllable → anger. Just‑World Fallacy – “they deserve it” → reduces help‑giving. Prevalence – 10 % of world population (≈650 M) moderately/severely disabled; 1 billion (≈1/7) per ILO 2018. Economic Cost – exclusion can cost up to 7 % of GDP. 🔄 Key Processes Assessing Disability (ICF Framework) Identify Impairment → map to Activity Limitations → evaluate Participation Restrictions → consider Environmental & Personal Factors. Choosing Language Ask the individual’s preference → apply People‑First if unknown → adjust for cultural context (UK → identity‑first). Implementing Accommodations 1️⃣ Identify barrier → 2️⃣ Match assistive technology or modification → 3️⃣ Document the accommodation → 4️⃣ Review effectiveness. Applying Social Model for Advocacy Spot environmental barrier → propose redesign (physical, digital, attitudinal) → mobilize community & policymakers → monitor inclusion outcomes. 🔍 Key Comparisons Medical Model vs. Social Model Medical: “Fix the person.” → treatment, cure. Social: “Fix the environment.” → accessibility, policy change. Person‑First vs. Identity‑First Language Person‑First: “a woman with Down syndrome.” → emphasizes individuality. Identity‑First: “a disabled woman.” → underscores societal disabling. Visible vs. Invisible Disability Visible: easily identified (wheelchair, prosthesis). → may trigger “pity” or “inspiration porn.” Invisible: hidden (chronic pain, mental illness). → higher risk of neglect & abuse. Temporary vs. Acquired Disability Temporary: injury, healing expected → short‑term accommodations. Acquired: sudden/chronic onset → may need long‑term supports. ⚠️ Common Misunderstandings “Disability = medical problem” – ignores the huge role of societal barriers. All disabled people prefer the same language – preferences vary by culture, country, and individual. Invisible disabilities are “less real.” – they can be just as limiting and often lack visible accommodations. The social model solves everything – it can overlook personal medical needs and economic realities. 🧠 Mental Models / Intuition Barrier‑First Lens – whenever you see a limitation, first ask “Is the environment disabling?” rather than “Is the person broken?” Intersectional Venn Diagram – picture overlapping circles (gender, race, disability) to visualize compounded discrimination. Cost‑Benefit of Inclusion – think of inclusion as an investment: every $1 in accommodation can yield $2–$4 in productivity and reduced turnover. 🚩 Exceptions & Edge Cases Legal Language vs. Community Preference – legislation may mandate people‑first language, yet activist groups may intentionally use identity‑first for political impact. Economic Model Limits – quantifying disability only by productivity loss ignores quality‑of‑life and human‑rights dimensions. Neurodiversity Controversy – some scholars argue extreme positions downplay genuine medical needs for certain conditions (e.g., severe autism). 📍 When to Use Which Model Selection: Use Medical Model for clinical diagnosis & treatment planning. Use Social Model for policy design, accessibility audits, and advocacy campaigns. Use Integrated Model when both health services and environmental changes are required (e.g., workplace return‑to‑work plans). Language Choice: Default to People‑First in formal/legal writing. Switch to Identity‑First when quoting activist literature or when the individual states that preference. Accommodation Type: Assistive Technology when the barrier is functional (e.g., screen reader for visual impairment). Policy/Procedure Change when the barrier is systemic (e.g., inflexible scheduling). 👀 Patterns to Recognize Stigma Cue: “controllable” language → mental‑behavioral stigma → likely answer choice about anger or neglect. Media Tropes: super‑crip, inspiration porn, disabled villain → signals a narrative prosthesis question. Statistical Flag: any prevalence figure around 10 % or one‑seventh → refers to WHO/ILO global estimates. Legal Reference: mention of ADA or CRPD → expect a rights‑based answer (access, non‑discrimination). 🗂️ Exam Traps “Disability is only a medical issue.” – distractor; correct answer stresses societal barriers. Confusing “handicap” with “impairment.” – handicap = social restriction; impairment = bodily loss. Assuming all invisible disabilities are mental health conditions. – many are physical (e.g., chronic pain, epilepsy). Choosing people‑first language automatically equals “most respectful.” – may be wrong if the individual or community prefers identity‑first. Over‑relying on the social model to explain every need. – some contexts (e.g., emergency medical care) still require medical‑model thinking. --- Use this guide for a rapid, confidence‑building review before your exam. Focus on the core definitions, models, language nuances, and the interplay of stigma, law, and intersectionality – these are the highest‑yield points that most test writers love to probe.