Disabilities

Disabilities make it harder to take part in normal daily activities. They may limit what you can do physically or mentally, or they can affect your senses. Disability doesn't mean unable, and it isnā€™t a sickness. Most people with disabilities can - and do - work, play, learn, and enjoy full healthy lives. Mobility aids and assistive devices can make all the difference.

About one in every five people in the United States has a disability. Some people are born with a disability. Some get sick or have an accident that results in a disability. Some people develop disabilities as they age. Almost all of us will have a disability at some point.

Surgeon General

Disability on Wikipedia

The term "'''disability'''", as it is applied to humans, refers to any condition that impedes the completion of daily tasks using traditional methods. National governments and global humanitarian agencies have narrowed this definition for their own purposes, only pledging aid to those with specific disabilities of a certain severity.

Types of disability

"Disability" can be broken down into a number of broad sub-categories, which include the following: * Physical impairments affecting movement, such as post-polio syndrome, spina bifida and cerebral palsy. * Sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments. * Cognitive impairments such as Autism or Down Syndrome. * Psychiatric conditions such as Depression and Schizophrenia.

The evolution of a movement

Historically, disabilities have often been cast in a negative light. An individual thus affected was seen as being a “patient” subject either to cure or to ongoing medical care. His condition is seen as disabling; the social reactions to it are justified, and the barriers unavoidable. This position is known as the medical model of disability. Over the past 20 years, a competing view known as the social model of disability has come to the fore. In this model, disability is seen more as a social construction than a medical reality. An individual may be impaired by a condition that requires daily living adaptations, but the bulk of his problem - his disability - can be found in the attitudinal and physical barriers erected by society. Both the medical and social models agree, to a point, that facilities and opportunities should be made as accessible as possible to individuals who require adaptations. Dismantling physical barriers, or setting up adaptations such as wheelchair ramps, is known as "fostering accessibility".

The language and terminology of disability

Lately, the term ''disability'' has replaced the older designation handicapped. ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Films Involving Blind - Meet Boston Blackie - Unsigned discussion with emphasis on disability issues, rating.

How's Your News - Follows five news reporters with mental and physical disabilities around the United States. Film information, cast and crew, news, reviews, photographs, discussion forum, and links.

Sprout Film Festival - Showcasing films and videos related to the field of developmental disabilities.

Dancing Wheels - A professional, integrated, modern dance company comprised of dancers with (using a wheelchair for movement) and without disabilities. The company is recognized as a pioneer in the art of integrated (mixed abilities)dance. (Cleveland, OH USA)

Full Radius Dance - Promotes, advances, and enhances the modern dance form for persons with disabilities, for dance artists, and the general community. (Atlanta, GA)

AXIS Dance Company - A contemporary dance group with an unusual body of dancers, some of whom are disabled. Their work is recognized internationally. (Oakland, CA, USA)

Bethune Theatredanse - Blends the elements of dance, special effects art, video and music to pioneer a unique theatrical experience. Dance Outreach program for disabled children. (Los Angeles)

Anjali Dance Company - The members of Anjali Dance Company are all people who have learning disabilities. It is one of the first of its kind in the UK.

Abhinay School of Dance - A site on The school which also features Jayalakshmi Eshwar (who trained under Rukmani Devi,) and has also learnt Odissi in New Delhi, India. The school wants to propagate Indian Culture and Art for disabled children. They also have links with a dance school in Texas, USA.

Restless Dance Company - Australian youth dance company whose work is inspired by cultures of disability.

Related Pages on HealthTales.com:

Developmental Disabilities