Disability

People with disability are oppressed in different ways.  The author asserts that disabled people are wronged (people act unjustly toward them) through two types of acts. They are either wronged through disability-related acts and non-disability related acts (Andrew, 2001).  The latter action means that people with disability are cheated or else they may be given false information the same way other people may be treated.  The formed action means that people with disability are discriminated in terms disparate treatment.  When discriminating them, there is a division between people with disability and those who are physically fit.  The author asserts that disabled people are wronged   through discrimination and oppression (Andrew, 2001).  He asserts that they are oppressed in labor processes, in culture life and in political and economic structures.  In culture imperialism, the culture of disabled people is diminished and devalued.  Particularly in socioeconomic, political and cultural issues, disabled people are undervalued simply because they belong to a certain social group.  In political structure, they are viewed as social group that has similar political views. The domination and subordination structures create the concepts of oppression to the disabled people (Andrew, 2001).  Apart from oppression in sociopolitical and cultural structures, the author asserts that people with disability are oppressed in employment opportunities.  Such people are relegated the economic hierarch and they are separated from other workers through creating their disability programs. On economic issues, disabled people have a higher level of poverty and the evidence is demonstrated by 1995 data which show that 38.3% disabled adults live a poverty life (Andrew, 2001).  

I believe that society treats disabled people in paternalistic ways because there is no policy for preventing oppression.  The failure to implement progressive policy gives the wrongdoers the freedom to treat disabled people in an oppressive way.  For example, architects were designing inaccessible buildings which disabled people could not access (Andrew, 2001). However, the Act on Americans with Disabilities was implemented and architects were given a legal duty to plan accessible buildings. This shows that people discriminate and oppress the disabled people because there is no law which protects them. I believe that their disability is viewed through a negative lens and they are defined as people who cannot bring perfection and effectiveness.  For example, in work place, disabled people are viewed as a problem and people who are different from others in duty performance (Andrew, 2001).  Lack of policy for oppression   creates the negative attitude that disabled people are oppressed minority.  The best strategic way of eliminating oppression is by implementing policies and programs as well   and develops anti-paternalism movement.

Whereas Batavia (2001) asserts that people with disability are oppressed and discriminated in different ways, Okobokekeimei (2013) asserts that people with disability should be supported since they are important in the society. He asserts that disabled people have the ability and competency of carrying out duties effectively than people who are not disabled.  They play a significant role of building a strong society through following ethical standards in project completion.  Disability helps them to support themselves so that the community can recognize them.  While Batavia  (2001) introduces  the  ‘The New Paternalism’ this article asserts that  there is a shift from social outcasts to  social recognition  since disabled people have the ability to  perform activities the same way like physically fit people if only they are  respected,  given self-esteem and concern.  He asserts that people should motivate the disabled people and accept them so that they can achieve their goals.

 The article relates the ‘culturally grounded social work practices’ in the text book with important elements which disabled people need in their situation. First, disabled people need respect and assistance. They also need motivation so that they can create self-worthy and value their life.  People need to show concern to their situation. They need to be empowered in order to help them reach their destination.  It is important to create a strong relationship and trust, share ideas and their interests as well (Okobokekeimei, 2013).  These elements relate with the key concepts of culturally grounded social work approaches in the textbook.  According g to Marsigli and Kulis (2015), in order to eliminate oppression, accept diversity and implement change, it is important to value the race, the ability of disabled person, social class as the key concepts.  Respect, concern and motivation related with the social factors in that the factors need to be valued so that the disabled people can have self-worth and social change (Marsigli & Kulis, 2015).  Social workers must understand that people with disable people are separated from other people and they   create their social class. The social class is defined as incompetent and their ability status are devalued.  Their culture is weakened and their voice is not heard.  Thus, it is important to consider the social factors in order to respect and show concern. Through understanding the intersectionality, the social worker will be in a position to practices the culturally grounded approaches, eliminate oppression and encourage diversity (Marsigli & Kulis, 2015). The social worker will develop appropriate intervention in implementing social change.

Reference

Marsiglia, F. and Kulis, S. (2015). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work 2nd

1. Chicago, IL: Lyceum

Andrew I. Batavia  (2001). The new paternalism: Portraying people with disabilities as an

oppressed minority. Journal of Disability Policy Studies; Fall 2001; 12, 2; ABI/INFORM Complete

1. 107