Understanding Disability and Human Diversity

Introduction

• Disability is an inherent, complex, heterogeneous, and controversial aspect of the human condition, making a universal definition difficult
• Diversity is understood in various ways but is acknowledged as a key characteristic of humans and their sexuality
• Human diversity is represented by 7.5 billion unique individuals with different thoughts and feelings
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) recognizes everyone as equal in dignity and rights
• Explanations of disability vary based on factors like origin, gender, age, ideology, religion, and socioeconomic status (WHO, 2011)
• Throughout history, approaches to "situations of impairment" are shaped by philosophical, political, and economic ideas, forming diverse social structures
• Two differentiating axes exist: a synchronic axis specific to each cultural context and a diachronic axis establishing historical periods in how deficiencies are treated
• Attitudes towards people with impairments have combined to create diverse ways of understanding and addressing disability in each sociocultural context
• The diachronic axis evolved from an animistic-religious approach, where deficiencies were seen as results of supernatural powers or divine punishments, to a secular-technical view of congenital or acquired conditions
• Medical advancements and rights-based approaches led to diverse models explaining disability causes, yet most coexist and are adopted by countries in different ways
• Literature presents various theoretical models for disability (Casado, 1991; De Jong, 1979; Muyor, 2011; Smeltzer, 2007), using different analysis criteria and variations
• One model encompasses nine categories: traditional (moral/religious), medical, British social model, North American minority model, biopsychosocial model, Scandinavian model, human rights model, cultural model, and the Spanish functional diversity model
• Grouping models into medical (first two) and social (seven variants) categories
• The grouping symbolizes a continuum, reflecting the evolution of understanding disability, highlighting the tension between medical and social perspectives
• The medical model attributes disability to illness or health conditions, focusing on fixing impairments to enable a "normal" life
• The social model considers disability a social construct, rejecting a "normal functionality" and highlighting society's limitations in providing appropriate services
• To understand disability, it's logical to consider both perspectives: internal (experiences of people with disabilities) and external (perceptions and analyses of those observing without disability)
• An external view aligns with the medical model, facilitating quantifications through international classifications
• «Nothing about us without us» reflects the internal view, linked to the social model and championing the rights movement of people with disabilities
• Disability studies emerge within this model, offering curricula in universities (Verdugo, 2003: 1)
• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) integrates both approaches into the Biopsychosocial Model (BPS) (WHO, 2001)
• Disability is a generic term for impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions
• Disability denotes negative aspects of interaction between people with conditions like Down syndrome as well as attitudes and inaccessible buildings. (OMS, 2011)
• Some perceive this proposal as insufficient, society focuses on individual problems rather than societal issues.
• Different models have shaped health and social policies across various countries and times
• Recent models emphasize rights and transformational equality (Degener, 2016)
• Focuses on human dignity, taking into account medical characteristics only when necessary
• States that individuals are the center of decisions that affect them, and that society can be the cause of issues
• It says States have a responsibility to tackle barriers and ensure the equality of rights. (Degener, 2016; Quinn y Degener, 2002: 20).
• This means people with disabilities face discrimination, making it necessary to identify systemic issues and change the areas that cause them
• An approach is possible with The Human Rights Approach (Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los DD. HH., 2006) that integrates both the micro-view with people’s situations and macro-view with human rights

International View of Disabilities

• In 1498 Disability was made invisible in the legislation until Quinn and Degener in 2002
• In 2006 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(CDPD)was created
• It sought to ensure equal rights and respect human dignity (OMS, 2011:7)
• Is the result of efforts by both those affect, and their families to achieve recognition of dignity
• Is a step forward for society in being more equal towards people with disabilities
• Means society will be able to understand and become more intimate
• Is important to improve their lives and for private-public entities to engage
• The State still has obligations to promote equity and service
• Social groups take the responsibility to get involved with the State to make a more equitable place
• Disability is assumed in the human condition, anyone can experince a transition
• Is an integration for more effective interventions from the State (OMS, 2011:7)
• Diversity is representative for the 7500 million people on planet, and they still need to be inclusive for 1100 people who require direct help
• Disability is a hot topic on the political agenda now
• CDPD, is an intricate issue with a need for solutions
• Transdisciplinarity is a must to incorporate varied interventions by researchers to change lives.
• Should be addressed by the focus of human rights

Functionality Discussion

• Article to contribute and reflect on discussing matters
• Rights of person with disabilities are discussed through multiple aspects
• The internal vision is linked to the functional diversity model by Toboso, 2018
• To have no concept of capacity
• The large issue with external vision goes though society by following the medical normal
• Antonio Centeno writes about bioethics from an independent movement
• Is about how to approach diversity
• The term disability is used from a means to help diminish ideas deeply ingrained in society
• The language has an understanding of diversity and for political instruments
• It seeks the opportunity to observer beyond dychotomies in our communities
• A transformation that accepts diversity as a moto
• Allows development that includes the functional
• Segregating the difference of bodies
• Support for having your own life the way it is, and how to provide help.