Definitions - PART I

I discussed and highlighted the following three points with respect to definitions of disability:
(i) the need for a definition
(ii) the problems of definitions
(iii) the ways of definition

The need for a definition came out through discussion in the class and following three crucial parts were pointed out by the students:
(a) a knowledge of parts of anything
(b) awareness of the needs --> rights
(c) it stands for many ideas as a summary

The class also came up with the 'measurement' of disability as a way of defining disability. Well done!

With respect to (ii) and (iii), we started the discussion with the language of disability, well known in the literature but not at all known generally and especially in a country like India, where the official documents and the media continue to refer to DPs/ PwDs as 'Physically Challenged' -- which actually descended on us from the west about 15-20 years ago as, in fact, the politically correct term, little realising that this term clearly and surely locates disability back in the person. I also explained my own take on it: it gives me the image that the so-called non-disabled people are sitting there at one high platform and watching (may be even with concern) how a disabled person is climbing up the stairs to this so-called high platform, how they are facing the challenge and 'winning' against all adversity. It's a terrible image.

I also discussed how these four ways are usually employed in defining disability, namely, simple statements, theoretical models, classification schemes and measurement.

1.