Defining Disability |
Disabilities Myths and Realities |
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| Following are some selected examples of definitions of disability and developmental disability. Definitions | ||
| are developed in many ways. For example, some definitions flow from statutory regulations and some | Myth: People with disabilities are a drain on society. Reality: All people haveinherent value. People with disabilities are contributing members ofsociety |
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| definitions arise from advocacy groups. It may be helpful to charge students individually to define | ||
| disability,and then as a group reach consensus. This activity may impart to students the diverse views we | ||
| have when defining disability and the resultant difficulty. | ||
| General Definitions of Disability | ||
| Oregon Office on Disability and Health | ||
| (http://cdrc.ohsu.edu/oodh) | ||
| Disability is a fluid conect that involves the complex interaction between a person's abilities and the | ||
| physical and social enviornment. Secondary conditions are defined as aspects of living that negatively | ||
| impact a person's ability to achieve optimal health and wellness that emerge from underlying impairment or | ||
| health conditions. | ||
| The Center for an Accessible Society |
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| (www.accessiblesociety.org/topics/demographics-identity/nidrr-lrp-defs.htm) | ||
| "It is useful to regard an individual with a disability as a person who requires an acoomodation or | ||
| intervention reather than as a perosn with a condition or impairment. Because accomodations can | ||
| address person-centered factors as well as socio-environmnetal factors... a 'need for accomodation' is a | ||
| more adaptable concept." | ||
| International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) | ||
| (http://www3.who.int/icf/begines/bg.pdf) | ||
| "Previously, disability began where health ended. Once you were disabled, you were in a separate | ||
| category.We want to get away from this kind of thinking." The ICF is moving towards a biopsychosocial | ||
| model which recognizes "the interaction between health conditions and contextual factors." Contextual | ||
| factors inlcude the environment (i.e. attitudes, legal structures, etc.) and persoanl factors (i.e. gender, age, | ||
| copingmechanizims, education, how one experinces the disability, etc.) |
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| The ICF indentifies 3 levels of human functioning: functioning at the level of body or body part; the | ||
| whole person; and the whole person in a social context. Disability involves dysfunctioning at one or more of | ||
| these levels recognizing levels of functioning as impairment, activity limitation, and participation restrictions. | ||
| Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 |
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| (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm) | ||
| A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 1 or more of the major life activities of the | ||
| individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. The term | ||
| "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable | ||
| modifications to rules, policies or practices, the removal or architectural, communication, or transportation | ||
| barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the | ||
| receipt of services or participation in programs or activities which are provided by a public entity. | ||
| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | ||
| (www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/Policy/IDEA/index.html) | ||
| In generaly, ther term "child with a disability" means a child with mental retardation, hearing impairments, | ||
| language impairments, serious emotional disturbance. orthopedic impairments, autism, traumati brain injury, | ||
| other health impairments or specific learning disabilities AND who, by reason thereof, needs special | ||
| education and related services. | ||
| Rehabilitation Act of 1973 |
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| (www.dol.gob/oasam/regs/statutes/sec504.htm) | ||
| A physical or mental impairment that constitutes or results in substantial impediment to employment. | ||
| Assistive Technology Act of 1990 |
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| (www.section508.gov/docs/AT1997.html) | ||
| Any individual of any age, race, or ethnicity who has a disability; AND who is or would be enabled by an | ||
| assistive technology device or assistive technology service to minimize deterioration in functioning, or to | ||
| achieve a greater level of functioning in any major area of life. | ||
| 2000 Census(www.census.gov as reported in WVDD Council Publication: A Reporter's Guide: Reporting | ||
| About Peoplewith Disabilities wretten by Betsy Southall, edited by Steve Wiseman and Jan Lilly-Stewart) | ||
| A long lasting physical, mental, or emotional condition that inhibits a person's ability to perform ordinary | ||
| functions such as walking, bathing, learning, remembering. | ||
Direct 1-304-384-5353 | Toll Free 1-800-344-6679 ext. 5353 |
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