B. P2 – Explain how disability can be viewed as a social construct.
In this assignment, I will explain social constructs and discuss society's and individuals' attitudes
toward disability. A physical or mental condition that restricts a person's movements, senses, or
activities is referred to as a disability. There are two types of disability models: medical and social.
The medical model examines a person's impairment and attempts to treat it through medication and
other specialised interventions such as surgery. According to the medical model of disability, people
are disabled because of their impairments or differences. These impairments or differences,
according to the medical model, should be fixed or changed through medical and other treatment.
Disability, according to the social model, is caused by the way society is organised. It aims to find
ways to remove barriers that limit disabled people's life choices so that they can live independently.
For example, this could imply installing an accessible lift so that everyone can enter a building
without asking for assistance. According to the social model, disability is caused by the way society is
organised, not by a person's limitations or differences. It focuses on how to remove barriers that
limit the life chances of people with disabilities. When barriers are removed, allowing disabled
people to choose and control their lives, they can be successful and equal members of society. The
medical approach emphasises what is wrong with a person rather than what they need. It lowers
people's expectations of disabled people and takes away their independence, choice, and control
over their lives.
A social construct is a societal idea or notion that does not represent reality but appears natural and
obvious to those who accept it. People with specific impairments or additional needs have
previously been treated differently and expected to rely on others to go about their daily lives. They
are regarded as social outliers, and some regard them as incapable or disadvantaged individuals.
However, in recent years, this has been recognised as a social construct, and people's attitudes
toward disabled people are no longer as negative as they once were.
Individuals' attitudes in society, based on prejudice or stereotypes, also known as disablist, prevent
people from having equal opportunities to be a part of society. The changing attitude toward
disability has improved dramatically, as evidenced by legislative changes that occurred in the 1960s
or 1970s, which had a significant impact on the treatment of and attitudes toward people with
disabilities. Many acts were enacted to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities,
such as the ACLU in the 'public interest,' which resulted in numerous judicial decisions expanding the
rights of people with developmental disabilities. The terminology used to describe people with
disabilities has evolved in tandem with societal attitudes, demonstrating a positive shift in how
people perceive those with disabilities. People with disabilities were referred to as idiots, imbeciles,
morons, and retarded. These terms were later replaced with 'disabled people' and, more recently,
'those with disabilities.' Disabled people want to be recognised for their abilities, not their
disabilities. Some people prefer the term "differently abled" to "disabled."
Although there are many changing attitudes towards those with disabilities, they are still not treated
fully equal. Some people may have the idea that people with disabilities deserve pity, disability is
sometimes seen as a personal tragedy and so disabled people deserved to be pitied. Society has
created an idea that individuals with disabilities cannot do anything, and they are dependent on
everyone else. People will stereotype those with disabilities, and will have the idea that people with
disabilities cannot lead a productive and a fulfilling life. Stereotype promotes assumption that
people with disabilities will not be able to have a family, get a respectable job or take on
responsibilities. People with disabilities may deal with society and individuals around them referring
In this assignment, I will explain social constructs and discuss society's and individuals' attitudes
toward disability. A physical or mental condition that restricts a person's movements, senses, or
activities is referred to as a disability. There are two types of disability models: medical and social.
The medical model examines a person's impairment and attempts to treat it through medication and
other specialised interventions such as surgery. According to the medical model of disability, people
are disabled because of their impairments or differences. These impairments or differences,
according to the medical model, should be fixed or changed through medical and other treatment.
Disability, according to the social model, is caused by the way society is organised. It aims to find
ways to remove barriers that limit disabled people's life choices so that they can live independently.
For example, this could imply installing an accessible lift so that everyone can enter a building
without asking for assistance. According to the social model, disability is caused by the way society is
organised, not by a person's limitations or differences. It focuses on how to remove barriers that
limit the life chances of people with disabilities. When barriers are removed, allowing disabled
people to choose and control their lives, they can be successful and equal members of society. The
medical approach emphasises what is wrong with a person rather than what they need. It lowers
people's expectations of disabled people and takes away their independence, choice, and control
over their lives.
A social construct is a societal idea or notion that does not represent reality but appears natural and
obvious to those who accept it. People with specific impairments or additional needs have
previously been treated differently and expected to rely on others to go about their daily lives. They
are regarded as social outliers, and some regard them as incapable or disadvantaged individuals.
However, in recent years, this has been recognised as a social construct, and people's attitudes
toward disabled people are no longer as negative as they once were.
Individuals' attitudes in society, based on prejudice or stereotypes, also known as disablist, prevent
people from having equal opportunities to be a part of society. The changing attitude toward
disability has improved dramatically, as evidenced by legislative changes that occurred in the 1960s
or 1970s, which had a significant impact on the treatment of and attitudes toward people with
disabilities. Many acts were enacted to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities,
such as the ACLU in the 'public interest,' which resulted in numerous judicial decisions expanding the
rights of people with developmental disabilities. The terminology used to describe people with
disabilities has evolved in tandem with societal attitudes, demonstrating a positive shift in how
people perceive those with disabilities. People with disabilities were referred to as idiots, imbeciles,
morons, and retarded. These terms were later replaced with 'disabled people' and, more recently,
'those with disabilities.' Disabled people want to be recognised for their abilities, not their
disabilities. Some people prefer the term "differently abled" to "disabled."
Although there are many changing attitudes towards those with disabilities, they are still not treated
fully equal. Some people may have the idea that people with disabilities deserve pity, disability is
sometimes seen as a personal tragedy and so disabled people deserved to be pitied. Society has
created an idea that individuals with disabilities cannot do anything, and they are dependent on
everyone else. People will stereotype those with disabilities, and will have the idea that people with
disabilities cannot lead a productive and a fulfilling life. Stereotype promotes assumption that
people with disabilities will not be able to have a family, get a respectable job or take on
responsibilities. People with disabilities may deal with society and individuals around them referring
