Reflection on the Legislation: A Comparison between Canada and the US - Essay Example

REFLECTION ON THE LEGISLATION The civil rights movements in Canada began in the 1960’s when the disabled individuals began making comparisons of their rights to the civil rights. The union of the families of the disabled individuals resulted in the social models for protecting human rights and seeking independent living of the disabled individuals. Within Canada, this movement began with the passing of the human rights charter in 1970. Since the inception of this legislation, the government declared commitment to access of basic social and economic opportunities to individuals with disabilities.

This was the beginning of the human rights for the disabled individuals in Canada(Government of Canada, 2014). The human rights for disabled individuals began with an independent living approach, which was the fundamental aim for implementing the charter.Within the Canadian charter of human rights, these individuals with special needs included persons with physical and mental challenges. The Canadian laws framed disability as a human rights issue among the different citizens of the country.

This resulted in the individuals with disabilities being accorded a priority in seeking to enhance the aspects of human rights within the country. The parliamentary committee on human rights was also made a permanent body providing assessment into the rights of disabled, through making consultations with these individuals (Shapiro, 1994). The civil rights of disabled individuals became based on the presentation of opportunities to actively participate within communal life. The fundamental role of these rights is ensuring the individuals have the capability to take care of themselves and impose an aspect of independence.

While a similar movement of human rights was also experienced within the United States, there were major differences in the approaches undertaken before implementing the human rights. The motivating factors for the consideration of these human rights was the African-American civil rights(ADA, 2014). These movements seeking other rights became the motivation factors for cross-disability movements to sprout. The development of the human rights for the disabled in United States occurred earlier than in Canada because of the advanced development and advancement in the constitution and other human rights aspects.

The development of the legislation sought to simplify the handling of individuals with assorted forms of disabilities in seeking to ensure they do not become discriminated because of their disabilities.Human rights within the American contest involve numerous groups that have been defined as marginalised and do not only encompass individuals with bodily impairments. This makes the American legislation more comprehensive than the Canadian rights charter. The American legislation, however, remains a rather generalised charter, which includes numerous marginalised groups in seeking to ensure equality among the citizens (Shapiro, 1994).

The American charter advocates individuals being accorded similar and fair treatment in various social aspects like employment. It is. however, a violation of the legislation giving disabled individuals a job that they cannot perform due to their disabilities. Within the American context, the capacities for these individuals must be assessed in seeking to present opportunities and eliminate discrimination of disabled individuals.ReferencesADA. (2014). Disabled World. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Retrieved September 08, 2014, from http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/ada/Government of Canada. (2014). Human Rights Programme. Your Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Retrieved September 08, 2014, from http://www.pch.gc.ca/ddp-hrd/canada/guide/index-eng.cfmShapiro, J. P. (1994). From Charity to Independent Living. In No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement (pp. 41–73). New York: Times Books.