Human development - Personal Statement Example

Reflection Paper: For most societies, people with disabilities pose a difficult dilemma. Social, economic and cultural prejudices remain the criticalvariables that guarantee the marginalization of this sector of the populace. Even the most progressive societies such as the United States struggle with providing equal and just environment, particularly in terms of civil rights, work opportunities and education. This underpins the gravity of the issue, which should propel it to the forefront of national consciousness and at the top of the policymaking agenda.

The most extreme problems involving disabled individuals occur in poor countries. There is very little to go around both in the public and private spheres so there is a great competition for welfare services, work opportunities and support for human development. In India, for example, disabled people have to launch a series of protests just so they could be included in the census and claim some representation in the community and access to basic welfare services from their government (Ghai, 2002, p. 50). In America, specific legislations (i.e. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) had to be introduced in order to enforce non-discrimination practices on the part of employers.

It appears that the community will not treat disabled people as equals with the same rights and privileges as any normal human being without the coercion of the law.Up to some extent, the problem is understandable. Society has to make certain accommodations – a number of them difficult - in order ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged or marginalized. There are those who lack the resources to do so. For example, schools must train personnel and provide resources so that academic instruction is inclusive, with no disabled student left behind (Trawick-Smith, 2014, p.383). These, however, are necessary because we live in humane, moral and responsible societies.

ReferencesGhai, A. (2002). Disabled Women: An Excluded Agenda of Indian Feminism. Hypatia, 17(3), 49-66.Trawick-Smith, J. (2014). Early Childhood Development. 5th ed. Columbus, OH: Merrill