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(In) equality, (AB) normality, and the Americans with Disabilities Act
1Department of Philosophy, San Francisco State University, CA, USA.
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|April 1, 1996
Summary
The Americans with Disabilities Act redefined disability as societal barriers, not individual deficits. Adopting this framework is crucial for social enablement and overcoming marginalization.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Disability Studies
- Public Policy
Background:
- The traditional medical model views disability as an individual's deficit.
- This perspective positions disabled individuals as passive recipients of care.
- The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) marked a significant conceptual shift.
Observation:
- The ADA reframes disability not as a personal failing, but as a societal failing.
- Societal structures create disadvantages for individuals with disabilities.
- This contrasts sharply with the medical model's focus on biological inferiority.
Findings:
- An ethic of care, while well-intentioned, can conflict with the ADA's framework.
- The medical model perpetuates social marginalization of disabled individuals.
- Re-conceptualizing practice through the ADA's lens is essential.
Implications:
- Adopting the ADA's conceptual framework can liberate social thought.
- This shift moves disabled individuals from social marginalization to social enablement.
- It necessitates a re-evaluation of current societal practices and policies.
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