What is Disability − Biological or Social Characteristic?
On February 24, at the Diversity Research Laboratory, a graduate student of New York University, Alexandra Kurlenkova, spoke about the main models of interpreting disability and the problem of ableism.
The earliest definitions of disability were related to a religious context. In various cultures, people with visible physical features were perceived as a threat or, on the contrary, as the chosen ones of the gods. However, in modern society, prevails the medical model, in which disability is a biologically determined, individual and static condition. The disease is associated with all the problems of people with disabilities, therefore intervention with the aim of 'treating' them, 'correcting' them is perceived as a blessing. The main disadvantage of this model is in determining the personality of a person with disabilities through his diagnosis, which leads to social consequences. Perceiving the individual human being as a 'sick person', society excludes him from many social practices and roles.
The social model of disability is an alternative to the medical approach. It is focused not on the property that distinguishes one individual from others, but on the relationship between this property and its perception by society. Disability is defined as a characteristic that is imposed through exclusionary practices. Thus the intervention should be directed not at transforming the body of the individual but at adapting the environment. It should become more accessible for people with disabilities so that they can fully participate in social interactions.
Today's understanding of disability is connected with a shared identity. It brings together people with different health conditions in solving common problems. For example collective associations make it possible to fight against ableism – discrimination against people with special needs. Maria Rumyantseva shared her experience of participating in the 'Inclusion' theater projects. People with different types of disabilities are involved in their preparations. Through creativity they gain new experience, socialize and change public opinion about themselves.
During the seminar the participants of the Laboratory discussed other strategies to combat ableism. In particular, the issue of employment of people with disabilities was touched upon. Most organizations are either not ready to adapt the working environment or do not know how to do it. A contradiction arises between the declared openness to inclusion and real practice. To resolve it, it is necessary to hear people with special needs and stop evaluating them in terms of costs and benefits.
Ekaterina Matveeva