Summary

In this study session you have learned that:

1. Impairments and disability are different. The first relates to the physical aspects of disablement whilst the second relates to the social aspects of disability.
2. The four broad categories of impairment are: physical, sensorial, intellectual and multiple.
3. Different ways of thinking about disability can be seen in the four main ‘models’ of disability: the charity model, the medical model, the social model and the human rights model.
4. Myths (misconceptions) about people with disabilities and the use of inappropriate terminology when discussing disability is commonplace.
5. Poverty can cause disability, but can also be a consequence of disability, as many people with a disability do not have a job.
6. The aims of the UN Convention on disability are being pursued in many countries through the use of the twin-track approach and the notion of ‘reasonable accommodation’. You should consider using these to play your part in facilitating the inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream society.