Reference no: EM133772633
Assignment:
Can you help me to cite some of the resources below in my responses to help support my answers?
Individuals living with disabilities were often treated poorly in the 19th century and faced significant social stigma. They were often institutionalized in asylums or poorhouses, where the living conditions were inhumane. Society largely viewed people with disabilities as burdens or objects of pity rather than as people with rights and potential.
In an effort to end discrimination against individuals with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was passed into law. Two key principles of the ADA are equal opportunity and accessibility. The equal opportunity principle ensures that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else. This includes equal access to employment, public services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications (ADA.gov, n.d.). The accessibility principle requires public and private areas to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes physical access to buildings, as well as access to information and communication technologies (ADA.gov, n.d.).
The equal opportunity principle addresses the 19th-century practice of institutionalizing people with disabilities by encouraging inclusion in all aspects of society. Rather than being hidden away in humane conditions, people with disabilities are now recognized as having the same rights to work, study, and participate in community life as everyone else. The accessibility principle challenges the 19th-century neglect and disregard for the needs of people with disabilities. By mandating that public and private spaces be accessible, the ADA ensures that people with disabilities can navigate and participate in society more freely and independently, which was not the case in the 19th century.
Despite the ADA, there are still social stigmas and misconceptions surrounding people with disabilities today. Some people continue to view disabilities as a burden rather than seeing the capabilities and contributions of people with disabilities. Additionally, employment discrimination against people with disabilities remains an issue today. While the ADA has made significant strides in creating workplace inclusion, some employers still maintain biases or refuse to provide the necessary accommodations, which reflects the lingering 19th-century attitudes that undervalue the potential of those with disabilities.
Resources:
- Cullen, M., & Cullen, M. (2021). Social work and social welfare: Modern practice in a diverse world (2nd ed.). OER Commons.
- Chapter 12, "Healthcare and Disabilities"
- Note: Read the "Working With People With Disabilities" "Legislative Protection" and "Defining Disability" sections only.
- U.S. Access Board. (2023, July 26). The ADA benefits all people, not just "Americans with Disabilities." Social Security Matters Blog. ADA.gov(n.d.).
- U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Hussey, M. (2022, September). 4 ways to design a disability-friendly future [Video]. TED Conferences.
- NowThis News. (2020, July 26). Commemorating 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act [Video]. YouTube.