Understanding disability

Definition Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (Art. 1 - UNCRPD)

International Convention The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities received its 20th ratification on 3 April 2008, triggering the entry into force of the Convention and its Optional Protocol 30 days later. This marks a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Disability is a Human Rights issue Disability is an unavoidable and universal part of human diversity There has been a change in how the person with disabilities is viewed: From being seen as an object of charity and a burden = approach of assistance To a subject of law = approach based on the respect of all human beings Shift from a charitable to a rights-based approach whereby individual is respected and empowered

In light of this change, four core human rights values take on particular importance in the context of disability : Dignity: respect for a person’s physical and moral integrity Autonomy: capacity for self-directed action, decision and behaviour Equality: prohibition of discrimination Solidarity: social support  Everybody has the same rights and should have the same access to their rights

Contrasting disability models Disability viewed as an individual pathology MEDICAL MODEL Disability viewed as a social pathology SOCIAL MODEL The problem is within the individual: the disability is the direct result of the person’s impairment Disability is only a health (thus medical) issue Solutions are designed by « medical experts » on the basis of a medical diagnosis Focus: elimination or cure of disability ; normalisation Reference to people with disabilities as an oppressed minority The environment of persons with disabilities is a problem The disability is the result of barriers linked to : physical environment, attitudes, information and communication. This leads to unequal access to opportunities Focus: elimination of barriers linked to physical space, attitudines and information/communication Adapted from Rioux, 1997 - Cité par Interactif déc 2002 - Understanding disability : look, then act

Environmental factors Human development model (RIPPH, 1996) HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL Personal factors Environmental factors Intrinsic Extrinsic Interaction SOCIAL PARTICIPATION Human development model (RIPPH, 1996)

Environmental Factors HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL Adapted from Disability Creation Process, Fougeyrollas et al., 1997 Personal factors Facilitator - Obstacles Environmental Factors Organic systems Integrity - Impairment Capabilities Ability – Funct. impairment Interactions Life Habits Social Participation - Disabling Situation

A heterogeneous group... They have different types of impairments of varying degrees of severity Organic systems They have diverse combinations of education, skills and experiences Capabilities They live in different environments with specific obstacles and facilitators Environmental factors

…with a lot of potential Many impairments could be treated or compensated for! People with disabilities have capabilities and can develop new ones ! Obstacles could be reduced and facilitators multiplied !

This is the story of Annie, a 23 year old woman from Zambia This is the story of Annie, a 23 year old woman from Zambia. Annie Mweemba is a wheelchair-user. Annie has completed a two-year tailoring course. She knows she was lucky to complete this training. After spending some time at home helping her parents with domestic chores, Annie thought of using their old sewing machine to start her own business. She began by advertising her home-based business, but met with negative attitudes, especially from her parents, because of her disability. However, Annie persisted and eventually people began bringing her sewing. Her business was not profitable because she had a lot of competition from other tailors, but she continued to work hard to earn a living. However, her sewing machine was not adapted to her needs and her old wheelchair made it even more difficult for her to work efficiently. She tried to get a loan from a bank to buy a new better-adapted sewing machine, but she couldn’t get into the building with her wheelchair. After much effort she convinced a friend to help her to get inside, but the bank personnel rejected her request outright because of her impairment, without even trying to gauge her skills in business management, her technical expertise or the collateral guarantee. Despite all her efforts, Annie was forced to give up her dream of becoming financially independent and had to go back to being dependent on her family. She is now confined to her home and reduced to doing the domestic chores. She often wonders how different her life would have been if she had had access to information on places that help people like her to realise their aspirations. Annie is just a case in point. There are countless Annies in our society, people who have the skills, determination and aspirations to make it on their own, but are unable to do so…..

What facilitators would have contributed to Annie’s success? Annie’s case-study What are the personal and environmental factors that affect Annie’s life habits/situation? What facilitators would have contributed to Annie’s success?