Models of disablement, universalism and the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps
Section snippets
Models of disablement: research constructs and strategies for advocacy
Disability scholars have long argued that what is called physical or mental ‘disability’ is not simply an attribute of a person but a complex collection of conditions, activities and relationships, many of which are created by the social environment. This is sometimes called the ‘social’ or ‘social-political perspective’ in which disability is seen as a ‘social construct’, or more pointedly, as a ‘sophisticated form of social oppression’ (Oliver, 1986, Oliver, 1990a). Early treatments of the
The ICIDH (1980)
In 1976, the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization approved for publication a classificatory instrument incorporating a version of the social model. The result, eventually published in 1980 for trial purposes, was the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) (World Health Organization, 1980). Here was an international classification of disablement, suitable for research and a myriad of other uses, that appeared to embody the insights of
UPIAS/DPI (1976)
A year after the publication of the ICIDH, Disabled People’s International (DPI) offered a competing characterization of disablement. It was based on a proposal presented in 1976 by a group of disabled individuals calling themselves the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS). The proposal offered a two-element model which originally used the terms ‘disability’ and ‘handicap’, although later these terms were replaced by ‘impairment’ and ‘disability’ (see Driedger, 1989,
Minority group discrimination or universal human condition?
The minority group analysis was an outgrowth of the scholarship and political activism that helped to create the social model of disablement. The seeds of the analysis can be found in the popular political movements, in North America and around the world, during the 1960’s and 1970’s: consumer, independent living, antiprofessional, deinstitutionalization, normalization and, of course, the civil rights movement itself Anspach, 1979, Scotch, 1984 Indeed, one author has called disability activism
The ICIDH 2 and the universalistic approach
In 1993, the World Health Organization began the process of revising the ICIDH and to that end sought the assistance of existing collaborating centres in Holland, France, North America and the Nordic countries. Task forces focusing on three subject areas — mental health, children and the environment — engaged in international consultations. By May, 1996 a preliminary, ‘alpha draft’ of ICIDH-2 was finalized for expert review; a year following, based on the comments and criticisms received, WHO
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