Research Design is related to First Definition, Review of Literature, and Thesis Generation.
Research Design Paper
It will be composed primarily of three key parts, should range from 5-7 pages :
Part One: Research Question
To bring clarity and focus to your research design you need to develop specific research
questions. Examples of research questions will be given below but a good way to go about
raising your own questions is to review both your thesis and review the literature. Then
consider:
◦ What questions have not been answered or need to be asked?
◦ What research already exists and how can I test this information?
◦ What data needs to be collected?
◦ How do I go about collecting my own data?
• Surveys, Interviews, Observations, Experiments?
Spending this time developing good research questions will help define the focus and give a
strong backbone to your research design.
Part Two: Collecting Data
Collecting data can be as simple as observing, interviewing, surveying, or doing social
experiments. You will be choosing your own methodology but look to collect qualitative and/or
quantitative data.
Qualitative data is often the gathering of verbal data and would be, for example, interviews,
either conducted by you or researching existing interviews online. Qualitative data can even be
your own personal/professional experience. While qualitative data is often viewed as more
subjective it can offer key insights from the actor’s perspective.
Quantitative data is often more objective and is such that you can quantify through numbers,
like statistical models or survey data (again, either designed and conducted by you or by
researching existing surveys online that refer and pertain to your topic). Surveys are also a
great way to collect both qualitative and quantitative data by utilizing a variety of questions.
This is what I mean by choosing your own methodology; it would depend on what makes
sense for you and your research.
Student example :
One student was looking into the voting habits of people (core topic of civic responsibility) and
administered a survey via Survey Monkey. She was able to get over 60 responses to a series of
questions with interesting results including the seemingly contradictory result that the number
one reason for not voting was “not enough time.” Yet, when asked if they would be more likely
to vote if election day was a holiday – the majority of results came back “no.”
Another student was interested in the AIDS epidemic in Africa (core topic civic responsibility).
According to this scientific inquiry, it made more sense for her to research existing data through
statistics and percentages of this unfortunate epidemic so she utilized quantitative data for her
Research Design.
Part three: Research Design: Data Analysis
The way each of you will approach your analysis will probably be as varied as the ways you
went about collecting the data. Some of you might end up crunching numbers, creating charts
or graphs, breaking down key statements from interviews, or even comparing responses to
survey questions. Do look to:
• process and make sense of the data
• provide insights, connections, and inferences
• single out the most significant findings
• discuss the data in relation to your thesis
• translate insights into actionable ideas and conclusions
Student example :
A great example of a student discussing and analyzing research data is Shankar Vedantam, a
science correspondent for NPR. His analysis is primarily focused on data regarding human
behavior surrounding contemporary issues. One of the issues he explored recently was
people’s responses to the Senate report on U.S. interrogations (released December 9th, 2014).
This report outlined horrific abuses ranging from waterboarding one individual at least 183
times to CIA interrogators threatening to sexually assault the mother of a detainee.
Brutal stuff and the research question explored by Shankar Vedantam was how people react
when they are given information that members of their own group (U.S. citizens) have indeed
tortured other people.
To conclude this section on analysis and the Research Design I just want to reiterate that each
of you will end up with differing research methodology, analysis, and even varying lengths to
this section. It’s this portion of the paper that brings a true uniqueness to your research and will
help cement your ideas around your issue. Also, be sure to include a conclusion to the
Research Design which will summarize your research and analysis while connecting them back
to your thesis.
Accommodation of People Living with Disabilities
Genesis :
The issue of disability has been in existence for a long time and has not emerged due to
the increasing number of people affected. It is a concept that has existed for as long as
people have existed. While disability itself has not changed, the perception and view of
the concept have changed, and it is beautiful that it has changed for the better. Before
1800, disability was perceived as a punishment from God, and people living with
disabilities were considered unhealthy and powerless (De Los Santos, 2018). These
people were often perceived as failures and deformed.
Due to these myths and perceptions, people living with disabilities were isolated,
especially for children who were usually left at home. The disabled were denied
education, employment, and appropriate care that other members of society received.
In some societies, people living with disabilities were forced to beg on the streets
because they could not fend for themselves, and no one was willing to accommodate
them (Scarborough, 2018). Over time, the perception of disability changed, and it has
been seen as an issue that has health and policy implications. The medical model of
disability viewed disability as an issue of the person living with the disability. The
changes in perception and introduction of disability models gave birth to the need to
address barriers to education, healthcare, and other societal needs.
Policies that date back to the early 1900s have promoted the inclusion of people living
with disabilities in society. Most of the early policies and laws addressed the inclusion of
people living with disabilities in income, housing, education, and access to healthcare.
Earlier federal agencies focused on the prevention of disabilities with minimal effort put
on addressing existing disabilities. The Americans Disability Act was the first law that
was designed to prevent discrimination against people living with disabilities (Forbe-
Pratt, 2019). The Act aimed at meeting four goals; equal employment opportunities,
independent living, full participation in the community, and economic self-sufficiency.
The Act was signed into law in 1990 and was amended in 2008. Since then, several
Acts and laws have been implemented across the globe to encourage the inclusion of
people living
with disabilities.
Denotation
Disability-a physical or a mental state that limits one’s senses, movements, and
activities.
Deformation- An altered form.
Impairment-Any abnormality, either psychosocial, anatomical, or psychological.
Human rights-Inherent rights that are universal for human beings.
Myth-widely held but false belief.
Connotation :
Today, the issue of disability has become increasingly significant in the political agenda
as well as a public consciousness. Studies have scrutinized the issue of disability as a
political, cultural, and social phenomenon. Recent studies d not focus on disability as a
clinical, medical, or therapeutic issue. Instead, scholars have focused on redefining
disability and advocating for an end to structural and other barriers to inclusivity
(Goodley et al., 2019). Studies also clearly indicate that despite laws that prohibit
disability-based discrimination, people living with disabilities continue to experience
discrimination in employment, education, recreation, and other aspects that are open to
people without any form of disabilities.
Most recent news stories focus on disability at the workplace, with media outlets
highlighting cases of discrimination, court cases, and individuals that have been
compensated for being discriminated against because of their disabilities. For example,
in July 2021, the Independent highlighted a story of a woman who was awarded $
125million for being fired by Walmart because of Down’s Syndrome. Newspapers have
also analyzed pay disparities among employees, citing that people living with disabilities
get less pay compared to those without disabilities (Independent, 2021). In 2022, most
stories on disabilities will be positive, with most news platforms covering efforts to
accommodate people living with disabilities. On January 10, 2022, the Harvard gazette
documented that disability is a stubborn problem and put forth ways of accommodating
them (Harvard gazette, 2022). Other news stories have focused on massive investment
in disability services which gives hope for people living with disabilities.
Disability is a contemporary and current issue because it is a complex phenomenon that
affects people living with disabilities and those around them. Technically, the issue of
disability affects the whole society, and most people will be disabled at some point in
their life. As a contemporary issue, it is prudent to emphasize the need to perceive
disability as an integral part of diversity, not a tragedy or problem. It is an issue that
affects everyone because every individual knows someone who is living with a disability.
Some have close family members living with disabilities, and studies on disability help
society members understand society, relationships, and families to make the world more
accepting and accessible.
Several institutions have prioritized the issue of disability and inclusion. The American
Psychological Association has urged society to put the person first and always refer to
them as people living with disabilities instead of disabled persons. The World Health
Organization had emphasized the need to address the barriers that hinder people living
with disabilities from fully and effectively participating in societal activities (Bull et al.,
2020). Scholars, on their hand, scrutinize disability and offer useful tips and insights that
make the world understand disability better and avoid myths that encourage
discrimination. The media is also highlighting news stories that help champion for
equality and equal treatment of people living with disabilities.
Opposing / Divergent views :
There are several conflicting opinions regarding people living with disabilities. One of
the issues is the value of the lives of disabled people, which attracts controversies in
areas such as abortion of a fetus with likely birth defects, physician-assisted suicide,
and withholding of prolonged treatment (Robinson, 2019). Some individuals would not
want to live with the hardships of disability and would consider ending their lives
prematurely using either of the methods mentioned previously. To some, every human
being has the right to live and would choose to live, despite their physical, emotional, or
mental state.
There are also conflicting views on the role of society in constructing disability.
According to the social model perspective, disability is socially constructed by placing
barriers limiting people born with impairments. The proponents of the theory propose
that since disability is a construct of society, it can be fixed by restructuring society so
that people living with disabilities have the same level of accessibility as those without
disabilities. While people may be born with impairments, the existing barriers are what
make them disabled.
Another conflicting issue related to disability is equality of human rights. Western
philosophers argue that all human beings, including those living with disabilities, have
fundamental human rights. According to Immanuel Kant, human beings have rights
because they have reason and the capacity for rational decision-making (Zivi, 2020).
The issue of equality of human rights becomes an issue, especially for people whose
disability compromises their conceptual capacities and ability to control behavior (Puras
& Gooding, 2019). Since the mentally-disabled people may not make rational decisions,
they have the right to basic shelter, food, and freedom from abuse.
Stakeholders acknowledge that people living with disabilities have been acceptable in
society over time, and they are treated equally as those without disabilities. The
stakeholders pose that there are fewer physical and structural barriers that prevent
people living with disabilities from living their best lives. On their part, other stakeholders
believe that people living with disabilities still face discrimination resulting from non-
adapted means of communication, discriminatory prejudice, stigma, and unavailability of
assisted technologies. Acknowledging existing discrimination is significant, as it
challenges scholars to come up with new and more approaches to accommodating
people living with disabilities.
Stakeholders also perceive disability as a natural phenomenon that exposes the
disabled to societal benefits such as tax benefits, winning the trust and goodwill, added
benefits in legal matters, discrimination and prejudices, and a lack of supportive
infrastructure. People living with disabilities are as productive as those who do not have
disabilities (Leber et al., 2018). However, it requires additional efforts for organizations
to support the disabled ad make additional adjustments to accommodate people living
with disabilities.
Systems / Models / Theories :
There are different medical, human rights, social, and political models of disability. The
critical disability theory is one of them, posing that ableism and racism operate jointly
and borrow concepts from each other. The theory criticizes traditional courses that are
believed to oppress the people living with disabilities. Proponents of this theory argue
that disability is not a medical or health issue; rather, it is an issue of power and politics
(Saxton, 2018). The perspective looks at disability as a justification for restricted access
to social and economic benefits because people living with disability are considered
powerless.
The social model of disability differentiates impairment (mental or physical deformation)
from disability, which the theories perceive as an experience of social oppression. The
theory, which was developed by people living with disabilities, says that societal barriers
create disability and not the existing impairments (Barnes, 2019). For example,
buildings that lack toilets that are accessible to people with impairments create
disability-they are unable to access the toilets. The social model recognizes helps
society to recognize the barriers for the people living with disabilities and promote
equality and independence.
The medical model of disability poses that people are disabled by their physical, mental,
and other impairments that make them different from people without disabilities.
According to the model, the focus is what is wrong with the person and not what the
person needs to be comfortable and integrate with society. The model further poses that
the disabilities can be fixed through medical approaches, even if the impairment is not
painful. The model seeks to set low expectations regarding control and independence
among people living with disabilities.
Lastly, the human rights model focuses on according fundamental human rights to
people living with disabilities. The model recognizes disability as a natural part of human
diversity that should be supported and respected as much as possible (Watson et al.,
2020). According to this model, impairment should not be a basis to deny people living
with disabilities opportunities and comfort. The model places disability at the center
stage when deciding on a person living with disabilities. For example, when designing a
toilet at the workplace, people with physical disabilities must be put into consideration
so that they do not have to struggle to access the toilets. The social adjustments put
people living with disabilities in a better place to enjoy natural and artificial privileges of
life that people without disabilities enjoy.
Citation
Barnes, C. (2019). Understanding the social model of disability: Past, present, and
future. In Routledge handbook of disability studies (pp. 14-31). Routledge.
Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K., Buman, M. P., Cardon, G., … &
Willumsen, J. F. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical
activity and sedentary behavior. British journal of sports medicine, 54(24),
1451-1462.
De Los Santos, S. B. (2018). Determining academic success in students with disabilities
in higher education (Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University-Kingsville).
Goodley, D., Lawthom, R., Liddiard, K., & Runswick-Cole, K. (2019). Provocations for
critical disability studies. Disability & Society, 34(6), 972-997.
Forber-Pratt, A. J. (2019). (Re) defining Disability culture: Perspectives from the
Americans with Disabilities Act generation. Culture & Psychology, 25(2),
241-256.
Independent (2021) Woman with Down’s Syndrome was awarded $ 125m by a court
after being fired by Walmart.
Leber, M., Bastič, M., Moody, L., & Krajnc, M. S. (2018). A study of the impact of
ergonomically designed workplaces on employee productivity. Advances in
Production Engineering & Management, 13(1), 107-117.
Puras, D., & Gooding, P. (2019). Mental health and human rights in the 21st
century. World Psychiatry, 18(1), 42.
Robinson, H. (2019). Abortion on the Basis of a Risk of Disability. Philosophical
Foundations of Medical Law, 214.
Saxton, M. (2018). Hardbodies: exploring historical and cultural factors in disabled
people’s participation in exercise; applying critical disability theory. Sport in
Society, 21(1), 22-39.
Scarborough, C. (2018). Viewing Disability in Medieval Spanish Texts. Amsterdam
University Press.
The Harvard Gazette(2022) Why disability is a particularly stubborn Problem
Watson, J., Anderson, K., Frawley, P., & Balandin, S. (2020). Human rights for people
with a disability. In Health Equity, Social Justice, and Human Rights (pp.
116-124). Routledge.
Zivi, K. (2020). Hiding in public or going with the flow: Human rights, human dignity, and
the movement for menstrual equity. Human Rights Quarterly, 42(1), 119-144.
Introduction
The research area is “accommodation of people living with disabilities.” The study is
founded on existing literature that raises concerns about discrimination against people
living with disabilities. Studies point out the laws and policies that require inclusivity, but
other sources pose a mismatch between policy and what is being done at different
institutional levels in society. The research thesis is that although society has embraced
people living with disabilities, there are still structural and other barriers that prevent the
disabled from fully participating in societal activities. The review will focus on several
areas; the perception of the disabled and how it has changed over time,
accommodation of the disabled, mismatch between policy and practice, and the existing
barriers in education, healthcare, transport, and other sectors.
1. Annaswamy, Thiru M., Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, and Lex Frieden.
“Telemedicine barriers and challenges for persons with disabilities:
COVID-19 and beyond.” Disability and health journal 13.4 (2020): 100973.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100973
The research paper seeks to determine the challenges facing people with disabilities
while accessing health through telemedicine services. According to the authors, most
people living with disabilities live in rural areas where it is challenging to access fast
internet. The authors are also concerned that the costs of maintaining clinical
productivity via telemedicine will be transferred to vulnerable populations, including the
disabled, which makes the situation more challenging. Telemedicine is effective when
combined with physical visits. Since patients will be required to go for ancillary services
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100973
such as lab testing, coordinating these logistics will remain a challenge to people living
with disabilities. Lastly, the authors point out communication barriers as a significant
challenge since most telemedicine platforms lack friendly features for the disabled.
The article raises critical questions about the ability of disabled people to receive
equal care with those who are not disabled. While technology is supposed to ease
access to healthcare across all populations, it is ironic that technology promotes
healthcare inequality. Even software developers do not consider the needs of the
disabled in the community and come up with tools and platforms that are ineffective for
this population. Conventional challenges, such as mobility issues, still exist in this era of
telemedicine, and if nothing is done, it implies that these vulnerable populations will
continue to suffer. As it stands, people living with disabilities have poor access to
healthcare and worse health care outcomes.
This is a recent paper that was authored in 2020 during the pandemic. It contains
current and relevant information. Although it focuses its findings on the pandemic era, it
clearly shows that people living with disabilities will still suffer as long as telemedicine
exists, even if the pandemic will subside. All the authors are authoritative; Monica is a
Texas Health Science center professor. Thiru is a corresponding author at the North
Texas Health Care System. Lex is also a professor at the University of Texas Health
Science Center. The three have pointed out specific barriers in the healthcare system
that prevent the disabled from accessing maximum care.
2. Bezyak, Jill Louise, et al. “Community participation and public transportation
barriers experienced by people with disabilities.” Disability and rehabilitation 42.23
(2020): 3275-3283. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1590469
The research was founded on the hypothesis that people living with disabilities are barred
from accessing basic facilities because of existing physical barriers. The survey was conducted to
determine the accessibility of public transportation by the disabled. Although there were group
differences, the main finding from the survey was that these people face significant challenges
when accessing and using public transport. Therefore, people living with disabilities are not fully
accommodated, and they may be forced to deal with challenges trying to lead a normal life.
The research implies that some disability groups deal with more severe problems than other
groups, based on the answers from different groups. An analysis of the answers also implies that
when coming up with disability-friendly policies, it is important to consider the needs of the
different groups so that more vulnerable groups are prioritized. The findings pose a question on
whether policymakers and advocates consider different groups when formulating policies or not.
It also shows a likelihood of a mismatch between policy and practice.
The article is recent and contains recent findings and information that can be used to address
the problems. All the authors are credible, having published several other types of research in
different disciplines. The information in the article meets the researcher’s needs and helps
analyze the physical barriers that exist for people living with disabilities. The information is
correct and truthful because it is based on a primary survey where the participants expressed
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1590469
their experiences and opinions. It helps to answer the research questions by identifying existing
barriers that will help propose recommendations.
3. Blanck, Peter. “Disability inclusive employment and the accommodation principle:
emerging issues in research, policy, and law.” Journal of Occupational
Rehabilitation 30.4 (2020): 505-510.
Blanch points out anti-discriminatory laws and policies seek to remove structural and
attitudinal barriers that conform people; living with disabilities as they exercise their rights to
participate in societal activities. The accommodation principle is the most demanding
requirement because it calls out on employees to make adjustments that allow the disabled to
work and participate fully. Discrimination, in this sense, implies that the institution has failed to
make adjustments, exposing the disabled to daily struggles. It also includes denying people work
opportunities because of disability. Blanck further reveals that institutions incur minimal to zero
costs to accommodate people, and the best way is to teach a culture of inclusivity and support
that makes everyone comfortable. The author concludes that some companies have tried to
accommodate the disabled, but structural barriers exist.
This is a very significant source that articulates the role of laws and policies in making the
world a comfortable place for the disabled. Since the paper acknowledges some level of
accommodation, it helps to answer the general research question: if the world accommodates the
disabled. Apart from that, it still points out existing barriers that will form a foundation for
recommendations. The paper was published in 2020 and contains the analysis of recent and
reviewed laws and policies. The author is a professor at Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse
University, previously published credible articles. The research is based on reputable sources,
contributing to its validity and credibility.
4. Blanck, Peter. “Disability-inclusive employment, cancer survivorship, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act.” Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2022): 1-10.
The author argues that disability-inclusive laws seek to challenge institutions to remove
structural and attitudinal barriers and ensure that the government and other entities comply with
the accommodation principle. The main point is to challenge researchers to conduct intensive
research that will help identify and address the gap between policy and practice. Based on this
article, inclusivity in employment and other sectors is not satisfactory. People living with
disabilities, including cancer survivors, are harassed and sometimes laid off illegally because
they are considered less productive.
The paper brings out an important issue of cancer survivors that has been significantly
overlooked. Most cancer survivors become more dependent and less productive when they
resume duty. The same organizations expected to accommodate them choose to discriminate
against them and sometimes lay them off. While cancer is not a disability, ADA protects people
when the disease makes them unable to do everyday tasks that they used to do before they were
diagnosed with cancer. The paper has also significantly pointed out the role of research in
identifying existing gaps and proposing ways of fixing them.
This is the most recent article used in this literature review. It was published a few days ago,
and this implies it contains the latest and up-to-date information. The article is founded on two
primary studies that make sit valid and credible. There is evidence of discrimination against
people living with different kinds of disabilities in the two cases. It helps answer the gap between
policy and practice, which supports the thesis that although the world has embraced disability,
the people are not fully accommodated. It is also important that the article proposes the research
approach in helping address the issue.
5. Groce, Nora Ellen. “Global disability: an emerging issue.” The Lancet Global
Health 6.7 (2018): e724-e725. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30265-1
The paper notes that there has been a change in the way people living with disabilities are
included in the global health landscape. The article bases an argument on WHO reports that the
15% of the world population living with different forms of disability do not live normally. They
attribute the challenge to the inequities in healthcare, education, employment, religion, politics,
and socioeconomic activities. The author argues that good healthcare alone cannot decrease the
rate of disability; instead, other issues such as road accidents, violence, and diseases that have the
potential of causing disability are also threatening.
The article raises questions about the effectiveness of the medical approaches to reducing
disability. It also points out disability to other social factors such as violence, whose reduction
would imply a decrease in the rate of disability. The paper mentions the importance of balancing
health, social, policy-oriented, and other approaches to reduce disability. An acknowledgment
that people living with disabilities are disadvantaged calls for better approaches to accommodate
them and make them more comfortable in society. The paper also emphasizes that while
disability has existed for the longest time, it remains an emerging issue that calls for further
research.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30265-1
The article is a credible and valid source of information, authored by a renowned researcher,
an affiliate professor, and a lead researcher at the Leonard Cheshire Research center. Nora Ellen
Groce has published many other articles that link disability to other phenomena. The arguments
in the article are based on credible research conducted by credible bodies such as the World
Health Organization (WHO) and The Lancet Global Health. Since the article was published in
2018, it shows that it contains current information that would relate to the current status quo. The
most important information in this article helps answer how different sectors can help address the
emerging issue of disability.
6. Houtrow, Amy, et al. “Children with disabilities in the United States and the
COVID-19 pandemic.” Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine 13.3 (2020):
415-424.
The corona pandemic provided an opportunity for different countries to realize the weaknesses
of their healthcare systems, and the US is not an exception. The authors mention that people
living with disabilities were already marginalized before the pandemic, and the pandemic only
worsened the situation. The research was focused on children, who the authors pose that have not
been discussed much because most researchers focused on older adults. According to Houtrow et
al., children are vulnerable because of social circumstances. These factors include limited
participation in social activities, poverty, and minority race. When the pandemic hit, children
with disabilities were more vulnerable and could not access proper care because of the
surrounding circumstances.
The publication is significant in this research because it focuses on a specific
population(children with disabilities), focusing on the challenges particular to this population. An
outstanding observation in this research is that the vulnerability of disabled children is linked to
many factors, including the financial status of their families. Based on the findings of this paper,
the best way to help disabled children is to address the root causes of their vulnerability. The
article also importantly points out the role of family, especially parents, in shaping their
children’s socialization. The paper has identified poor healthcare access and unmet needs as
potential areas of improvement.
The article has been authored by experienced experts who have published several other books
and articles on disability and other disciplines. The researchers based their findings on credible,
peer-reviewed, and reputable journals to form the argument and prove that children with
disabilities are vulnerable. The article was published less than two years ago and contained
current information which can be useful in solving current issues. The declaration of no conflicts
of interest also shows that the research is as objective and unbiased as possible.
7. Langørgen, Eli, and Eva Magnus. “‘We are just ordinary people working hard to
reach our goals!’ Disabled students’ participation in Norwegian higher
education.” Disability & Society 33.4 (2018): 598-617. https://doi.org/
10.1080/09687599.2018.1436041
The article is research conducted to shed light on the experiences that disabled students go
through in the institutions of higher learning. The research conducted in Norway revealed that
learners face barriers when interacting with others and when accessing basic social services.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1436041
https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1436041
However, these students tried to resolve these barriers independently by working in silence and
using their capabilities. Their aim is to be perceived as ordinary by appearing strong and doing
things independently instead of seeking support. The students also point out that some students
and staff recognized their strain and provided necessary support without calling attention to it.
The article’s title is communicative, and the fact that disabled students call themselves
“ordinary” shows some level of lack of accommodation. They have to remind society that they
are like any other person. They reveal that they face barriers, which is an indication that in the
education sector, people living with disabilities are not fully accommodated. Such findings
indicate a gap between policy and practice; a learning institution is a space that is expected to
promote equality. It is a place where all learners and staff feel safe. Some learners and staff
recognize disabled students as ordinary and give help necessarily shows some level of
accommodation. However, some imply not all, meaning other institution members perceived
them as inferior.
The article is current (published in 2018) which means it contains the latest information that
can be applied in today’s situations. The article is primary research that captures real-life
experiences of people living with disabilities, contributing to the paper’s credibility. Both authors
are credible and have published previously on disability. They are both professors at the
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement
Science. The paper’s analysis has been done professionally, and sensible conclusions made. The
information is relevant to this research, as it helps confirm that persons living with disabilities
are not fully embraced in society, including in the education sector.
8. Sharma, Ambuj. “Myths about disability: A literature review.” Economic and Social
Development: Book of Proceedings (2018): 1-7.
Sharma argues that disability was associated with past bad deeds decades ago, which led to
the stigma and discrimination of people living with disabilities. The people who had disabled
family members and friends always perceived them as objects of pity and a problem that needed
to be fixed. Due to these assumptions, the author reveals that society imposes selfish beliefs that
become detrimental to the people living with disabilities. However, the article acknowledges that
international communities have managed to influence perception by minimizing stereotypes and
championing inclusion over time.
The article reveals clearly that a lack of understanding of the issue is a potential cause of how
people perceive and treat people living with disabilities. When people link disability to past
deeds, they are likely to discriminate against the disabled because they are responsible for their
challenges. The myths contributed significantly to the strained relationship between the disabled
and other members of society. It raises questions about the role of research in understanding
disability at that time. The article also appreciates the role of the international institution in
shaping perceptions and making the world a better place for people living with disabilities.
The article is a credible and valid source, with arguments based on primary and secondary
publications that have been published within the past few years. Ambuj Sharma is an associate
professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and is known for his credible publications
in various disciplines. He has actively contributed to the strong scientific foundation built to help
address disability. The article helps to understand and trace the issue of disability in the past and
how the perceptions have changed over time.
Conclusion
The perception of disability has changed over time in the past. Disabled people were
considered a curse and responsible for their problems. They were also an object of pity because
they could do nothing independently. Over time, with research and access to information, society
started embracing disability and perceived it as a normal occurrence. People started offering the
necessary support to the disabled without calling attention. For example, the research conducted
by Langorgen and Eva revealed that the participants (disabled students could get support from
other students and staff members who just considered it necessary to support them.” However,
there are still barriers to inclusivity, and people living with disabilities experience challenges
every day. In business organizations, managers are less willing to make the necessary
adjustments to accommodate people living with disabilities. In healthcare, there are structural
barriers such as telemedicine features favorable for the disabled. Although some laws and
policies require inclusivity, most of these requirements are not met. Therefore, people living with
disabilities are not fully accommodated in society.
Disability is a significant issue in contemporary society. Literature documents that how
people perceive disability has evolved. Today, the majority of people perceive disability as a
normal occurrence and interact freely with people living with disabilities. However, there are
concerns that society does not fully accommodate people living with disabilities, making life for
the disabled harder. The study seeks to look into the issue of accommodating people living with
disabilities and ascertain the extent to which society accommodates them. It is important to look
into the issue so as to identify gaps between what is expected and what is done and propose
recommendations that will make people living with disabilities more comfortable in society.
The research bases its findings on social models, critical disability theories, medical theories,
and human rights models to understand the concept of disability deeper and relate it with
society’s perception. To understand the issue of accommodation better, cases of discrimination,
including a case where a woman was paid a huge sum of money for being discriminated against
at the workplace, will be used (Independent, 2021). Such cases indicate that while people
embrace disability, a lot has to be done for the disabled to lead lives that other people do. Based
on case studies and other pieces of evidence, the study concludes that people living with
disabilities are not fully accommodated in society. There is a need to get rid of structural and
other barriers to make life better for them.
Citation
Independent (2021) Woman with Down’s Syndrome was awarded$125m by a court after being
fired by Walmart.