Conceptualizing Disability

More than merely being a physical manifestation, disability is a socially constructed phenomenon which has implications, more in the socio- economic sphere than anything else. Our society has stricter norms about what is considered ‘normal’ and disability deviates from the societal conception of ‘normal’.

This socially constructed normality becomes a barrier in the lives of the disabled as they deviate from the ‘norm’ of what one should be like both physically or mentally. While for the non disabled people, ‘it goes without saying’ that they are human beings. For the disabled people in many historical contexts ‘it has to be said’. It undertakes special efforts on their part to establish their existence (Hughes, 2007). In all the modern discourses disability is regarded as totally intolerable and is looked at with a strong sense of negativity (Campbell, 2005 cited in Hughes, 2007). Also the assumption that the life of a disabled is shattered and needs the attachments of pity and sympathy further attaches stigma to disability (Smith, 2005 cited in Hughes, 2007).

The politics behind defining disability and ‘normality’ is discussed in the ‘social model of disability’ (Oliver, 1990). How disability has acquired the meanings and connotations that it has acquired over time have much to do with the politics of the dominant group in the society. The dominant group or the power holders define the ‘normality’ so as to look at the people with disability/impairment as abnormal and hence excluding them from the social discourses. Such an organization of the society creates disability (Payne, 1997).

Creating an inclusive environment for the persons with disability involves breaking the traditional barriers and hierarchies that exists and which defines what is normal and what is not. Let us have a look at various perspectives to understand