Empirical Dimensions of Discrimination Against Disabled People

Where at one time professionals viewed disability as a condition inherent in a person, there now is widespread acceptance that, in large measure, disability is a social construct with roots in societal attitudes. Specifically, the case has been made by disabled people that they are the victims of discrimination. This paper reviews some of the empirical evidence of discriminatory practices in the areas of: access to education; meaningful participation in the labor force; and, physical and sexual assault. There is ample evidence of discriminatory practices in education and employment which further disadvantage disabled people. Disabled people receive less education and are much less likely to find a job than are non-disabled people and are much more vulnerable than the non-disabled to sexual or physical assault. Promoting and protecting the rights and dignity of disabled people will require a combination of legal approaches, attention to the concrete realities of disability and societal barriers, and changes in the perception of and societal attitudes towards disabled people.