Disability refers to the social effects of physical or mental impairment. This definition, known as the 'social model' of disability, makes a clear distinction between the impairment itself (such as a medical condition that makes a person unable to walk or unable to sit) and the disabling effects of society in relation to that impairment. As Frank Bowe put it in Handicapping America (1978), the real issue is the societal response to disability: if a community allows physical, architectural, transportation, and other barriers to remain in place, society is creating handicaps that oppress individuals with disabilities. If, on the other hand, a community removes those barriers, persons with disabilities can function at much higher levels. In simple terms, it is not the inability to walk or inability to sit that prevents a person entering a building unaided but the existence of stairs or the lack of benches to lie down, that are inaccessible to a wheelchair-user or a person with sitting disability. In other words, 'disability' is socially constructed. The 'social model' is often contrasted with the 'medical model' which sees 'disability' as synonymous with 'impairment.'
Redemption For The Phillies Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:37:00 -0400 The Phillies are leading the Dodgers for the National League championship — thanks to the inexplicable success of pitcher Brett Myers. Will Sports Weather The Economic Storm? Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:58:00 -0400 Sports have historically been recession-proof. Sportswriter Stefan Fatsis says events like the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks had little impact on the sports business. But, he says, in the present economic climate three issues must be considered: the credit market, corporate fallout and fans. Sports Roundtable: Who Will Meet At World Series? Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:31:00 -0400 With the World Series just weeks away, NPR's Tony Cox leads a discussion about the baseball playoffs with writers Greg Lee — online editor of The Boston Globe — and D-Will of the blog Sports On My Mind. The trio also tackles the latest college football news.
