Rethinking Disability in the Third World

Re: # 1
Ms Tolkinin:

It looks as though you may be right. More the Generals , the merrier is life. I will go with your thoghts.
kamath

Re: # 4

Dear Tahir, don`t worry about the typo at all. Your arguments on the other hand are spot on. The medical model definitely is insufficient for catering to the needs of a disabled person. Infact, the needs of individual people depend on their personal circumstances and environment. Two people with the same condition, but living in different parts of the world will be faced with varying and unique difficulties. In this context, the definition of handicap by WHO is very well thought out. However, definitions vary immensely depending upon region. The Gazette of Pakistan (Statutory Notification SRO 627(1)/88) lays down the following definition, which again contrasts disability against health and disease.

``For the quota system, “disabled person” means a person, on account of injury, disease or congenital deformity is handicapped in education or for undertaking any gainful profession or employment in order to earn his livelihood, and includes a person who is blind, deaf, physically handicapped or mentally retarded.``

I also agree that vast economic resources are required to bring a majority of disabled individuals into mainstream society. Which is why, personally, I think that the change should be gradual, so as to allow the disabled and society sufficient time to adjust to the change in status quo. Again, personally I also believe that the way forward is by forging links between industry and institutions that already care for the disabled. While education is, in some ways, a product that can be bought by paying for it, the dynamics of obtaining a job are completely different. Most disabled people are often frustrated by the lack of opportunities available even after they have obtained either an education or a technical skill.

As for religion, I would say to each his own. I am a deeply religious person, or well try to be at the very least. While still submissive to the teachings of religion, I do not believe in being a passive recipient with regards to any condition, be it social, mental or physical. All religions encourage the growth of self, in a non egotistical way of course! Its the passive mindset that has to be removed for the debate to be carried forward, and this is true for issues such as poverty and is not just related to disability.

Interact #3:

Ooooops .... Somebody has pointed out a typo:

It led to American With Disabilities Act 1990 has helped a great deal removing bearers and has mandated societal and environmental facilitation.

Please read as: It led to The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. It has helped a great deal removing barriers and ......

Dear Naveed:

Excellent! Your article is well argued and adds a real-life perspective to the issue of disability and societal attitude. These issues need serious discussion to bring about a change in the mindset of society, as you have rightly pointed out.

Conceptually, few technical but important considerations for sake of meaningful discussion; this is what WHO (World Health Organization) defines three related terms:

Impairment is any loss or abnormality of a psychological, physiologic or anatomical structure or function. For example, loss of a limb or weakness etc.

Disability is any limitation of a person’s ability to perform a task or activity. Problems at the person level as a whole whether physical or psychological. Examples are limitation of performance.

Handicap results from interaction of environment on a person with disability.

Even though, understanding of impairments and disability is important but focus on handicap is what is most important to change the societal attitude.

For exaple, a person who has lost a leg would not be limited and without a handicap if fitted with an artificial leg or wheelchair, whichever is necessary. If the building where he/she lives or works does not have a wheelchair-ramp for access or elevators would be really handicapped but such an access would remove handicap altogether.

In the past decade or so, it has been recognized that pure medical model does not sufficiently provide for facilitating the function of disable persons. The role of society has also been better understood. It led to American With Disabilities Act 1990 has helped a great deal removing bearers and has mandated societal and environmental facilitation. Legal measures are a must in other countries and societies as well. Education can help provide better understanding but laws must be enacted to assert the rights of disabled persons and remove physical barrier that limit people with disability.

I sometime wonder and worry how to put togther economical resources to enact such a law in 3rd world countries but it does not negate the need for primary understanding of issues involved in disability, at least.

Naveed! With regards to your Mauvi Sahib, well said, “I have since learnt not to trust anyone with a weak backhand”. Religious explanations for disabilities ought to be abandoned because religions have not added much to rationality that physical survival demands. Hereafter! Will cross when we come to that bridge. Humans certainly need some comfort in this world also that has been embroiled in religious quarrels, without much avail, for past some thousand years. But, thats a discussion for another day. Thanks again.

Tahir

I agree with your message it is ones ABILITY rather than disability that needs to be focused upon....

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