Understanding Disability and Handicap

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Questions and Answers

Define impairment in your own words.

Impairment refers to a lack or abnormality of an anatomical, physiological, or psychological structure or function, resulting in a loss of a body part or organ.

Define disability in your own words.

Disability is any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity due to an impairment, which may limit mobility, hearing, vision, speech, or cognitive function.

Define handicap in your own words.

Handicap is a disadvantage resulting from an impairment or disability, which limits or prevents the fulfillment of a normal role in society.

What is the difference between impairment, disability, and handicap?

Impairment refers to the loss or abnormality of bodily functions, disability is the restriction in performing activities due to that impairment, and handicap is the disadvantage that results from disability in societal contexts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the medical approach to disability?

Disability is seen as a pathology that needs to be treated. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the social model of disability?

Barriers in society are identified as contributors to disability. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of barriers that can lead to handicaps according to the text?

Attitudinal, physical, and policy Signup and view all the answers

Define impairment in your own words.

Impairment refers to a lack or abnormality of a physiological or psychological structure or function. Signup and view all the answers

Define disability in your own words.

Disability is any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner considered normal due to an impairment. Signup and view all the answers

Define handicap in your own words.

Handicap is a disadvantage resulting from an impairment or disability that limits an individual's ability to fulfill a normal role. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the difference between impairment, disability, and handicap.

Impairment is the condition affecting the body, disability is the restriction in performing activities as a result of impairment, and handicap is the disadvantage faced in social roles due to impairment or disability. Signup and view all the answers

What does impairment refer to?

An absence of a body part Signup and view all the answers

Disability is solely defined by a person's physical limitations.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can lead to a handicap?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What approach views disability as a pathology?

Medical Approach Signup and view all the answers

Explain the social model of disability.

The social model of disability views disability as a complex condition shaped by societal barriers and responses to impairment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Defining Terms

Impairment signifies a deviation from the typical structure or function of a person's body. This can include physiological, psychological, or anatomical differences.
Disability arises from an impairment and limits an individual's ability to perform activities considered "normal." This could involve mobility, hearing, vision, speech, or cognitive function.
Handicap is a disadvantage faced by an individual due to impairment or disability. It refers to barriers that limit the individual's ability to fulfill roles considered typical for their age, sex, social, and cultural context.

Disability and Handicap

Disability is viewed as a difference, a characteristic that sets an individual apart.
Society's perception of disability often restricts the individual, creating the concept of a "handicap."
Individuals become handicapped due to attitudinal barriers (stigma), physical barriers (lack of accessibility), and policy barriers (systemic discrimination).

Models of Disability

Medical Approach sees disability as a medical condition requiring treatment, focusing on individual impairment.
Social Model focuses on societal barriers and discrimination that limit the participation of people with disabilities. It emphasizes the need to adapt the environment, rather than the individual.

Comparing Both Models:

Medical Model:
- Views the individual as faulty.
- Focuses on diagnosis and labeling.
- Considers impairment as the main concern.
Social Model:
- Values the individual.
- Identifies strengths and needs.
- Identifies and addresses barriers.

Understanding Impairment, Disability, and Handicap

Impairment refers to a loss or abnormality in a person's physical, psychological, or anatomical structure or function. It's essentially a deviation from the expected norm. Examples include a visual impairment or a physical deformity. Impairments can be temporary or permanent, progressive, regressive, or static.
Disability describes the limitations that result from impairment. It's the restriction in a person's ability to perform activities considered normal for most people. Disabilities can be caused by accidents, trauma, genetics, or disease. They can affect mobility, hearing, vision, speech, and cognitive function.
Handicap refers to the disadvantages a person with a disability encounters due to societal or environmental barriers. This can be in the form of attitudinal prejudice, physical barriers like inaccessible buildings, or systemic limitations due to lack of relevant policies. It's important to differentiate between disability and handicap, as someone with a disability may not be handicapped if those barriers don't exist.

Understanding Models of Disability

Medical Model: Here, disability is viewed as a defect or pathology within the individual. The focus is on the individual's impairment and the need to "treat" or "fix" it. This model tends to see disability as a problem that needs to be solved within the individual, often leading to a focus on cure, therapy, and normalization.
Social Model: This model shifts the emphasis from the individual to societal barriers. It argues that disability is a societal product, not an individual condition. The focus is on removing environmental and attitudinal barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society, allowing people with disabilities to participate fully and equally.

Key Differences Between the Models

Medical Model: Child is faulty, diagnosis and labeling are central, impairment is the primary focus, and solutions involve individual fixes like therapy or interventions.
Social Model: The child is valued, strengths and needs are identified, barriers are the main focus, and solutions involve societal changes to remove obstacles and create inclusivity.

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Description

This quiz explores the definitions and distinctions between impairment, disability, and handicap. Learn how societal perceptions can create barriers for individuals and the impact of these on daily life. Test your knowledge on the concepts that define these terms and their implications.