SOC499H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Spina Bifida, Prenatal Diagnosis, Ableism
Document Summary
It locates the problem of disability within the individual and, betweem secondly, it sees the causes of this problem as stemming from the functional limitations gists anc or psychological losses which are assumed to arise from disability. These two points are interrela underpinned by what might be called the personal tragedy theory of disability which the mid suggests that disability is some terrible chance event which occurs at random to unfortu- abled pe nate individuals, There is often an assumption that it would be in the interests of public health for there to be fewer babies born with conditions such spina bifida or down"s syndrome. Some people find this objectionable, but it could be argued that such objections are irrational. Such an assumption becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy: the family, friends, and community are never exposed to the child and its actual needs, so dreaded fantasies reinforce stereotypes.
