EDS4802 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE 9 JULY 2026
QUESTION 1: Definition of Terms
a) Accessibility
Accessibility can be understood as the provision of flexible facilities and environments,
either virtual or physical, to accommodate each user's needs and preferences (Toolkit
on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 1). For persons with disabilities, this
may be any place, space, item or service that is easily approached, reached, entered,
exited from, interacted with, understood or otherwise used. The United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognises accessibility
as an inherent right of persons with disabilities and applies it to the achievement of all
rights, detailing "the importance of accessibility to the physical, social, economic and
cultural environment, to health and education and to information and communication, in
enabling persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental
freedoms" (CRPD, Article 9; Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 5).
Accessibility is therefore a general principle of the Convention (Article 3) and also a
stand-alone article (Article 9).
b) Medical Model of Disability
The Medical Model of Disability conceptualises disability as a problem that resides
within the individual, resulting from impairments or medical conditions that need to be
cured, treated, or managed. Under this model, the person with a disability is seen as
,having something "wrong" with them that requires medical intervention to "fix" or
"normalise" them (Study Guide, Study Unit 1, p. 11-12). This model places the
responsibility on the individual to adapt to existing societal conditions, rather than on
society to remove barriers (Study Guide, Study Unit 1, p. 11-12). The Medical Model
has been critiqued for pathologising disability and focusing on what a person cannot do,
rather than recognising their abilities and potential.
c) Stigmatisation
Stigmatisation refers to the process by which individuals or groups are marked,
discredited, or socially devalued based on certain characteristics, such as disability. It
involves negative attitudes, prejudice, discrimination, and labelling that can lead to
social exclusion and marginalisation (Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module:
Accessibility, p. 3). Cultural barriers, including myths and stereotypes about disability
rooted in culture, generate fear and misunderstanding (Toolkit on Disability for Africa,
Module: Accessibility, p. 3-4). Stigmatisation can result in persons with disabilities being
treated as objects of pity or charity, rather than as capable individuals with rights and
agency.
d) Social Inclusion
Social inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that all individuals, including persons
with disabilities, have the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of social,
economic, cultural, and political life on an equal basis with others (Toolkit on Disability
for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 3). It involves removing barriers (physical,
institutional, informational, communication, attitudinal, and cultural) that prevent full
participation (Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 3). Social inclusion
recognises diversity and difference, and advocates for the transformation of systems
and environments to accommodate all individuals (Study Guide, Study Unit 1, p. 11-12).
, e) Assistive Devices
Assistive devices (also known as assistive technology) are any items, pieces of
equipment, or systems, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customised, that
are commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities (Study Guide, Explanations of Terminology, p. 5). In the
context of disability, examples include hearing and listening devices, reading glasses,
wheelchairs or other mobility devices, traffic lights accompanied by sound, magnifying
glasses, text-to-speech software, portable reading devices, communication boards, and
hearing aids (Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 4). Assistive
technology can be either high-tech or low-tech and does not cure or eliminate
difficulties, but helps individuals bypass or work around areas of difficulty (Study Guide,
Study Unit 3, p. 34).
DUE 9 JULY 2026
QUESTION 1: Definition of Terms
a) Accessibility
Accessibility can be understood as the provision of flexible facilities and environments,
either virtual or physical, to accommodate each user's needs and preferences (Toolkit
on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 1). For persons with disabilities, this
may be any place, space, item or service that is easily approached, reached, entered,
exited from, interacted with, understood or otherwise used. The United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognises accessibility
as an inherent right of persons with disabilities and applies it to the achievement of all
rights, detailing "the importance of accessibility to the physical, social, economic and
cultural environment, to health and education and to information and communication, in
enabling persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental
freedoms" (CRPD, Article 9; Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 5).
Accessibility is therefore a general principle of the Convention (Article 3) and also a
stand-alone article (Article 9).
b) Medical Model of Disability
The Medical Model of Disability conceptualises disability as a problem that resides
within the individual, resulting from impairments or medical conditions that need to be
cured, treated, or managed. Under this model, the person with a disability is seen as
,having something "wrong" with them that requires medical intervention to "fix" or
"normalise" them (Study Guide, Study Unit 1, p. 11-12). This model places the
responsibility on the individual to adapt to existing societal conditions, rather than on
society to remove barriers (Study Guide, Study Unit 1, p. 11-12). The Medical Model
has been critiqued for pathologising disability and focusing on what a person cannot do,
rather than recognising their abilities and potential.
c) Stigmatisation
Stigmatisation refers to the process by which individuals or groups are marked,
discredited, or socially devalued based on certain characteristics, such as disability. It
involves negative attitudes, prejudice, discrimination, and labelling that can lead to
social exclusion and marginalisation (Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module:
Accessibility, p. 3). Cultural barriers, including myths and stereotypes about disability
rooted in culture, generate fear and misunderstanding (Toolkit on Disability for Africa,
Module: Accessibility, p. 3-4). Stigmatisation can result in persons with disabilities being
treated as objects of pity or charity, rather than as capable individuals with rights and
agency.
d) Social Inclusion
Social inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that all individuals, including persons
with disabilities, have the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of social,
economic, cultural, and political life on an equal basis with others (Toolkit on Disability
for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 3). It involves removing barriers (physical,
institutional, informational, communication, attitudinal, and cultural) that prevent full
participation (Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 3). Social inclusion
recognises diversity and difference, and advocates for the transformation of systems
and environments to accommodate all individuals (Study Guide, Study Unit 1, p. 11-12).
, e) Assistive Devices
Assistive devices (also known as assistive technology) are any items, pieces of
equipment, or systems, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customised, that
are commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities (Study Guide, Explanations of Terminology, p. 5). In the
context of disability, examples include hearing and listening devices, reading glasses,
wheelchairs or other mobility devices, traffic lights accompanied by sound, magnifying
glasses, text-to-speech software, portable reading devices, communication boards, and
hearing aids (Toolkit on Disability for Africa, Module: Accessibility, p. 4). Assistive
technology can be either high-tech or low-tech and does not cure or eliminate
difficulties, but helps individuals bypass or work around areas of difficulty (Study Guide,
Study Unit 3, p. 34).
