Question

This activity requires you to spend some time viewing the world using the perspective of the social construction of disability.

From the social constructionist perspective, disability is created through interaction between individuals and their environments.

Include at least two separate observations.

Each of your observations should illustrate a different way that disability is socially constructed.

Describe what you observed and then briefly explain how your observation illustrates the social construction of disability.

Professors Example: Today I was in line at HEB behind an older person who was moving at a slower pace than the younger people. It was difficult for the older person to manage his cane and use his credit card at the same time. He seemed to have difficulty reading the “prompts” on the credit card device. The person directly behind the older person was noticeably impatient. Clearly the whole setup of the check-out line and credit card device is aimed for people whose hands are free (not needing a cane) and who have good vision. People are also expected to manage the check-out process quickly and keep the line moving. Wendell described the way in which the pace of life does not accommodate anyone who requires more time or needs to rest or needs help opening a door. Our pace of life also does not readily accommodate someone who needs large print on credit card devices and something to lean on to free his hands to manage his wallet and credit card. We create disability by not accommodating variations in vision and mobility.

Today I heard about a school shooting in which several people were killed and others were injured. The violence we allow in society is creating disability for the injured people who may never regain their previous levels of physical functioning. Wendell explicitly mentioned that by failing to protect people from shootings and other violent crimes, society creates disability. In our module on the criminal justice system, we learned that the U.S. has more gun violence than any other country. This and other school shootings suggest that by failing to adequately regulate guns, we are creating disability.

Answer 1

Few years ago, when I was working as a school counseling intern, I encountered many situations where children were discriminated based on their lack of ability to perform. Social construction of disability is influenced by attitudes. There was a third grade kid in that school who was dyslexic. He had trouble reading and writing and took a lot of time to perform activities that the other students would complete in half the time. Although his parents claimed to have changed schools to suit his requirements, there was no change in the situation. Our education system and curriculum is designed in such a way that it does not support any individual who has shortcomings which can be worked upon by the cooperation of the society. But that is where the problem lies since the society does not always show willingness to support persons who have problems that are termed as disabilities.

Another incident that I witnessed was when my friend who is colour blind, had just graduated from college and was looking for employment opportunities. Most of the companies had rigouorus checklists that were to be filled citing all your problems and disabilities. It was extremely demotivating for her since her area of expertise was organisational therapy/counseling and being colour blind was not at all a disadvantage for the job. Yet, most of the companies viewed it as a disability and therefore she had to narrow down her options. Worthy individuals despite having a minor issue with their external competencies which are not in their control, deserve a chance at living life to the fullest and should not be denied a chance to do so. The society has to become more open and welcoming to all individuals. Integration should be practised so that people are not affected in their lives by the social construction of disability.