About Disability
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Many people think that disability is a tragedy or a fate worse than death. They may not know any disabled people, and they may be ignorant or fearful of disability.
There have always been disabled people in human societies, and there probably always will be. Approximately one in twelve adults is disabled. However, only about 1% or 2% of births are affected by disability: most people become disabled through disease or accident in later life, particularly in old age. Disability is a normal fact of life.
The disabled people's movement has argued against the traditional idea that disability is a medical tragedy. They suggest that people are disabled by society as much as by their bodies. The major problems for disabled people are social and environmental barriers, lack of equal opportunities, discrimination and prejudice. Like other minority groups, disabled people are entitled to respect and civil rights.
In recent decades, society has made great progress in improving the quality of life of disabled people. For example:
- medical care means that disabled people are less likely to die from complications of their impairments.
- new technology offers assistance with mobility and communications.
- access barriers to public buildings and public transport are being removed
- awareness of the needs and rights of disabled people has improved
- the principle of inclusive education means that increasing numbers of disabled children are being educated in mainstream schools.
- more disabled young people are going to university and further education, and more disabled adults are entering professions and other forms of mainstream employment.
Disabled people are increasingly found in all walks of life: as actors, artists, broadcasters, business people, Cabinet Ministers, doctors, scientists, writers...
Barriers and problems remain for many disabled people, and attitudes need to change further. However, with better laws and policies, the situation should continue to improve in future.
Further Information The Contact A Family web site has information about having a disabled child in the family and can be found at:
Contact A Family
The BBC's disability website includes interesting news, features and debates:
www.bbc.co.uk/ouch
Disability Now, the national disability newspaper, can be found at:
www.disabilitynow.org.uk
The British Council of Disabled People can be found at:
www.bcodp.org.uk
Information about disability law and policy can be found at:
Disability Rights Commission
http://www.drc-uk.org/
Tests Conditions Choices General Disability Ethics Links |
