EDP 611: The Social Construction Of Disability

So far in EDP 611, we have discussed the term “disability” in great detail. The social and medical models are two different ways that disability is defined. After reading chapter three in the textbook, both terms make valid points, however, I feel I would side with the social construction of disability. The textbook states that over the years our view on disability has changed. For example, it was once considered normal to put people with disabilities into institutions, such as the Willowbrook State School, which is now our college. People with disabilities have rights, and should not have ever been put in these unsafe, animalistic conditions. As society’s response to disability changed, they did away with these institutions. The IDEA forced …show more content…
Society aids in further disabling people to a certain extent. For example, much of society does not want to deal or associate with people with disabilities. Many restaurants, jobs, stores, etc. do not even have wheelchair accessible entrances. An impairment is something a student may have trouble with and differs from a disability. The textbook gave an example about a student in a wheelchair that has a deficit with mobility, but she can still excel in many other academic and social areas of life. However, if this student enters a building that is not wheelchair accessible, she may feel excluded and singled out. She may not feel welcomed in that building or in society in general. Many teachers are scared and negligent to teach students with disabilities in their class. As a community, people without disabilities should make every effort possible to reduce or lessen the obstacles and hardships people with disabilities have to face on a daily basis. In a classroom, decreasing the obstacles could be as simple as differentiating the lesson to meet the needs of the unique learners. It could also mean having a positive attitude and response towards our students who need our support.
Society has the ability to “construct” disability. As we have seen in the previous chapters, the media, TV, movies, news, books, as well as daily conversations people encounter all play a part in shaping the way people see and understand the term “disability.” As special education teachers, we should put much thought and consideration into how our students can fit into our classrooms and feel as equal as possible to their nondisabled peers. The social model includes adapting and modifying instruction, as well as activities, for students with