Although the social theory of disability provides a basis for understanding the interconnection between gender and disability, there have been a number of criticisms that have been levelled against it. Most notably, it has been pointed out that the theory assumes the existence of oppression for disabled people (Gerschick 2011, p. 132). Viewed in light of the relationship between disability and gender, it can be seen that the theory equates the concepts of minority with oppression. Although this is the case, it can be concluded that the relationship between gender and disability can best be analysed using the social theory of disability.
Since this model assumes disability as a construct of the society, it augurs well with the fact that discrimination against minority groups is as a result of material and social barriers that are created against them by the society. Seen in light of femininity, this theory provides a basic background against which discrimination that is based on gender can be analysed. Additionally, there is limited research on the different ways in which physical disability and other aspects such as gender and race interact to affect disabled individuals (Gerschick 2011, p. 130). Although there has been a lot of research on the separate concepts of gender and disability, comprehensive researches on the way the two interact to affect different genders is yet to be carried out Disability, gender and discrimination Studies in the field of disability in relation to gender have focused on analysing how gender differences interact with disability to influence the extent to which members of different genders are discriminated against in accessing various facilities in the society.
It emerges that different genders are discriminated against in several ways in different aspects of social life. According to Meekosha (2004, p. 4), that disability has assumed a gendered perspective is manifested in several ways. Essentially, disabled persons face disadvantages when it comes to accessing various resources in the society. However, with the presence of stereotypes that are based on gender, discrimination covers different aspects in the lives of the disabled individuals. It is therefore observed that discrimination against disabled persons is not only based on their condition but is also enhanced by their different genders (Meekosha 2004, p. 5). What this means is that although it may be assumed that gender is of little significance to disabled people, their disability is actually intensified by their different genders.
For example, disabled women are likely to experience extreme oppression as compared to their male counterparts. This may occur in different forms in their private, family and public life. According to Barnartt (2013, p. 7), the connection between disability and gender is complex. It is observed that disabled individuals face a different form of representation in the society as compared to those that are not disabled. This implies that disability is a different experience to both male and female individuals.
Since the society in general has different perceptions about male and female responsibilities, these responsibilities and perceptions are enhanced by the presence of impairment, particularly a physical one. On the other hand Asch, Rousso and Jefferies (2001, p. 18) argue that factors such as social class, gender and sex can either alleviate or exacerbate the effects of disability. It is important to note that disability in this context is differentiated from the related concepts of physical impairment (which arises from a biological condition) and handicap (which is seen as the social ramifications of the condition).
As a result of this, disabled women face many social barriers as compared to disabled men in the form of access to education, employment and other aspects of general social life (Asch, Rousso & Jefferies 2001, p. 25). For instance, it is observed that although disabled graduates are less likely to get employment as compared to their non-disabled counterparts, disabled women are likely to compete less favourably with men for private sector jobs and increases in earnings (Parker et al. 2007, p. 5).
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