(In) equality, (ab) normality, and the Americans With Disabilities Act

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Disability Studies
• Public Policy

Background:

• The traditional medical model views disability as an individual's inherent deficit.
• This perspective positions disabled individuals as passive recipients of care or charity.
• The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) marked a significant paradigm shift.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the conceptual shift in disability definition brought by the ADA.
• To contrast the ADA's social model with the limitations of the medical model.
• To explore the implications of an ethic of care in relation to the ADA framework.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of disability definitions.
• Comparative study of the ADA framework and the medical model.
• Ethical examination of care principles in disability discourse.

Main Results:

• The ADA reframes disability as a societal failing that disadvantages individuals.
• The medical model's view of biological inferiority is challenged by the ADA's social construct.
• An ethic of care, when applied without considering the ADA, can yield conflicting outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Re-conceptualizing disability through the ADA's social framework is essential.
• This shift is necessary to move from social marginalization to social enablement.
• Adopting the ADA's conceptual apparatus is key to advancing disability rights and inclusion.