11 Chapter 11: Ability – Cultural Value of Functionality

Chapter Overview:

A culturally universal human experience that anyone can experience is a disability (or ableism). Ableism is a type of discrimination based on physical or mental ability. Disabilities can limit a person’s ability to engage in daily activities; disabilities can be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent. Disability and different abilities are all around us. Some individual challenges are visible, and others are not. “Normal” routines challenge everyone’s experiences from time to time and regularly. However, these challenges are hindered by inadequate physical and functional accommodations, from ramps to handrails to presenting information in diverse formats to a lack of adequate mental health services.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the universalizing implications of disability as something every human being can at some point in their life experience.
• Analyze attitudes of people with disabilities as “objects” and “subjects” with the ability and rights of autonomy.
• Commend strategies for the civic engagement of all citizens through an understanding that people with disabilities may experience limited opportunities for social inclusion.
• Distinguish universal design practices and principles as an approach to social inclusion and accessibility.
• Identify intersectional characteristics concerning the sick role.
• TBD