Disabilities and the Paralympics - Coursework Example

Disabilities and the Paralympics Introduction This present essay is aimed at discussing the history of people living with disabilities, how they have suffered over the past years and the current progress have been attained in championing for their fundamental rights in the society. Major advancement in recognition of global rights movements and non-governmental organizations have led the central government and international bodies to establish laws and privileges that safeguard the welfare of people with disabilities (PWD) in the 21st century. According to Nielsen, disability is the complex phenomenon that reflects on the interaction between the physical body of a disable person and the features of the society on which he or she inhabit. A person living with disabilities may include person suffering from physical, sensory, or intellectual impairment (22-23). Those living with disabilities have suffered segregation and other forms of social injustice since the mediaeval times in the hands of the government and the local community members. Cultural and religious impacts on people with disabilities In his book, Zames stated that historically, cultural beliefs, social prejudices, and religious doctrines were the key factors that led to marginalisation of the disabled in the society. The first incidences of acts of oppression targeting people living with disabilities in the society were recorded in the Biblical ages. As scrutiny of Biblical writings reveals that, various forms of disabilities such as blindness, leprosy, paralysis were considered punishment from God and those who got afflicted had to respect the will of the God. For example, in the 2nd book of Chronicles 26:16-23, the Bible talks of King Uzziah whom because of his unfaithfulness to God, was struck by leprosy because the Lord had afflicted him. In the community setup, those who were suffering from any form of disability were considered spiritually unclean and were bad omen to the society. The existence of such beliefs and practices led to misconception and social prejudices towards the disabled who were considered not worthy of life and deserved no human stature (115-118). Historical injustices to people with disabilities According to Pelka, most recorded injustices towards people living with disabilities were committed during the end of the 19th century up to the middle of the 20th century. In 1883, Sir Francis Galton coined the term Eugenics that resulted to the emergence of eugenics movements that advocated for laws that prevented people with disabilities (PWD) from moving to the U.S, marrying, or having children. Consequently, eugenics laws led to the institutionalization and forced sterilization of the PWD. Pelka further added that the marginalisation and inhumane treatment of the PWDs even became worse at workplace for those who secured jobs. Those who were employed received no special treatment from their normal counterparts. Most of the buildings could only be accessed through staircase, which provided no alternatives for the crippled. Work manuals and written materials were only available in the normal print form, which secluded the blind from securing certain job opportunities or attending learning institutions. In Europe, on the advent of world war two, Hitler ordered the killing of the disabled and sick terming it the mercy killing, over 908 patients from retarded institutions and chronically ill patients were transferred to Eglfing –Haar to be gassed ( 203- 207). PWD rights movements Though up to date the disabled rights movements continue to agitate for more recognition and equal treatment of the disabled in the society, the movements have really come along way. Henry and Wilcock (2013) traced the beginning of the disable rights movements to 1817 when the American school of the deaf reportedly commenced classes in Hartford, Connecticut where it used sign language as the method for teaching (15-18). With reference to writing by Zames, the emergence of such institutions in the society led to demystification of misguided belief regarding the PWDs in the community. In 1829, New England asylum opened for the blind and three years later in 1932 there was the introduction of the Braille. The other notable milestone undertaking that shaped PWDs rights’ movement was the founding of the first residential institution by Samuel Gridley Howe in Boston in 1848, for people with mental retardation. Afterward, the government, community and the church eventually debunked their misguided myth on the PWD, because of these progresses, even the industrialists and innovators began to consider the plight of the PWD, and consequently in 1869 there was the issuance of the patent to the wheelchair. Apart from the PWD rights movements’ campaign, the government through its state agencies enacted laws pertaining to the rights of the disabled and began organizing events that educated the public about PWD. The Handicap week was established in 1945 with the effort to create mass awareness of the PWDs rights and privileges. Also in 1946 Hill-Burton act was passed, which gave the disabled federal aid during rehabilitation, which was followed by the creation of the social security disability insurance in 1950. Finally, there was the enactment of the Air Carrier Access Act 1986, which prohibited the banning of the disabled persons from flying. Paralympics games According to Nielsen, those living with disabilities in the 21st century have not only continued to enjoy the universal human rights entitled to every being, but they have also been privileged to participate in all areas of endeavour that they may wish to. One of the most noticeable universal events that have offered such opportunity is the Paralympics games (78-80). According to Hunter, Paralympics games are international sports events that involve participants with physical and/or intellectual disabilities that may include, amputations, blindness, deafness and cerebral palsy (23-31). Henry and Wilcock (2013) Paralympics is analogous to Olympics only that PWD are the athletes in the Paralympics and the event is always held immediately following the Olympics. The Paralympics game comprises the summer Paralympics and the winter Paralympics. The participants of the first Paralympics games, which were held in 1948, were British World War II veteran patients with spinal cord injuries. The success of the consecutive war veterans Paralympics games led to the establishment of the first Paralympics games, which was opened to all nations’ PWD to participate in 1960 (56-59). Positive impacts of the Paralympics games The Paralympics games, through the participation of the PWD have not only provided a platform for naturing of talents, but it has also uplifted the universal image of the PWD. Studies by Hunter showed that through Paralympics games, the society is able to appreciate the gains of nurturing potential talents within children living with disabilities. In addition, the participation of athletes in the games is a source inspiration and mentorship to those already living with the disabilities. An excellent case of an inspiring story of an athlete is the 2008 Paralympics gold medallist Oscar Pistorius who even qualified for the 2012 summer Olympics. Conclusion Over the years, people living with disabilities have been faced with numerous challenges, ranging from marginalisation by the government, social prejudice from their immediate community and family members and inhumane treatment by their employers. The emergence of the rights movement for the disabled has led to the widespread recognition of the fundamental rights of the disabled. In response, the government have established specialised institutions to cater for the disabled and enacted laws to safeguard the rights and privileges of the disabled in the community. Through mass media and forums organized by the government rights movements, the society has been educated with regards cultural beliefs and practices affecting the disabled negatively. The formation of the Paralympics games have further provided a platform for the PWD to participate also in athletics sport providing a venue for international interaction and also acts as source of rewarding talents among the PWD community. Works cited Hunter, Nick. Paralympics (Olympics).U.K. Wayland Publishers. 2012 Print Henry, L. and Wilcock, R. (2013). Witnesses with Intellectual Disabilities: International Journal of Disability, Development and Education. Vol 68 (1) 50-85 Nielsen, Kim. A Disability History of the United States (Re-Visioning American History). U.S. Beacon Press.2012 Print. Pelka, Fred. What We Have Done: An Oral History of the Disability Rights Movement. U.S. University of Massachusetts Press. 2012 Print. Zames, Frieda and Fleischer, Doris. The Disability Rights Movement: From Charity to Confrontation .U.S .Temple University Press. 2011 Print. Read More