Ch 14. Physical and Mental Ability

What is the Medical Model of disability?

The problem lies with the disabled person, focusing on cure, treatment, and individual deficit. It views disability as an individual tragedy.

What is the Social Model of disability?

The problem lies with the disabling world/society, focusing on removing societal barriers. It views disability as a result of social oppression (e.g., badly designed buildings, no ramps, inaccessible transport, discrimination).

What does Title I of the ADA (1990) prohibit and require?

It prohibits disability discrimination, covers private employers and state/local governments, and requires reasonable accommodation.

What does Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require?

It requires the federal government to take affirmative action for the hiring and advancement of people with disabilities; covers federal employees.

What did the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (2008) do?

It simplified how disability is established and broadened the definition of disability.

What does the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA, 2008) prohibit?

It prohibits discrimination based on genetic information and restricts the acquisition and disclosure of such information.

When is a person considered "substantially limited"?

When they have the inability to perform one or more major life activities (self-care, manual tasks, activities related to the senses, learning, walking, seeing, hearing, etc.).

When is a person considered disabled according to the ADA?

When they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Also covered: those with a record of impairment or regarded as having an impairment.

When is reasonable accommodation NOT required?

When it would cause undue hardship — significant difficulty or expense relative to the employer's size, financial resources, and nature/structure of the organization.

What are essential functions of a job?

The fundamental/core basis for the existence of a job. The employee must be able to perform these with or without accommodation.

What are marginal functions of a job?

Secondary duties not central to why the job exists. Cannot use inability to perform marginal functions to deny employment.

What is the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)?

A U.S. Department of Labor service where 58% of accommodations cost nothing; remaining accommodations typically cost about $500.

How do unemployment rates compare between people with and without disabilities?

People with disabilities have significantly higher unemployment rates than people without disabilities, despite legal protections.

How does negative publicity impact companies that discriminate against people with disabilities?

Companies face reputational damage, legal costs, and loss of consumer goodwill. Disabled consumers have nearly $175 billion in discretionary spending — failure to serve them is a business loss.

What should employers do if existing employees become disabled?

Engage in an interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations; explore job restructuring, modified schedules, assistive technology, reassignment; avoid automatic termination.

ADA Myth #4: Accommodations are expensive.

Fact: 58% cost nothing; the rest typically cost about $500; tax incentives are available.

What is ableism?

Ideas, practices, institutions, and social relations that presume able-bodiedness and marginalize, exclude, or make people with disabilities invisible.

What is inspiration porn?

The objectification of people with disabilities for the benefit of people without disabilities.

What is internalized ableism?

A form of internalized oppression in which people with disabilities consciously or unconsciously accept or believe negative messages about their own abilities and intrinsic worth and those of other people with disabilities.

What is a physical or mental impairment?

Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting at least one of the body's systems, or any mental or psychological disorder, such as organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

What is stereotype threat?

When a person is concerned about being judged by a negative stereotype about their group and this concern affects their performance, behavior, learning, or other outcomes.