Social Justice for Persons with Disabilities: CP Focused
Persons diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy have faced prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, and oppression for centuries. According to Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders affecting a person’s ability to move. It results from damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways and can affect body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture, and balance. People diagnosed with cerebral palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy, and intellectual impairments (“What is Cerebral Palsy?”, n.d.) Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common causes of childhood disabilities and a population in need of ongoing rehabilitation services (as cited in Shikako-Thoma et al., 2009). Due to the severity of this impairment, it is easy to see why persons diagnosed with it face social injustice. This review of disability injustice will highlight that along with other relatable topics: demographics, a brief historical overview with a focus on mechanisms of injustice and theoretical frameworks concerning diversity and oppression. In addition to, the impact that Cerebral Palsy and disability, in general, has on the individual, communities, and families. Lastly, how social workers assist persons with disabilities.
Demographics
It is estimated there are 764,000
Persons diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy have faced prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, and oppression for centuries. According to Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders affecting a person’s ability to move. It results from damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways and can affect body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture, and balance. People diagnosed with cerebral palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy, and intellectual impairments (“What is Cerebral Palsy?”, n.d.) Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common causes of childhood disabilities and a population in need of ongoing rehabilitation services (as cited in Shikako-Thoma et al., 2009). Due to the severity of this impairment, it is easy to see why persons diagnosed with it face social injustice. This review of disability injustice will highlight that along with other relatable topics: demographics, a brief historical overview with a focus on mechanisms of injustice and theoretical frameworks concerning diversity and oppression. In addition to, the impact that Cerebral Palsy and disability, in general, has on the individual, communities, and families. Lastly, how social workers assist persons with disabilities.
Demographics
It is estimated there are 764,000