Disability and difference: balancing social and physical constructions.
The world of disability theory is currently divided between those who insist it reflects a physical fact affecting life quality and those who believe disability is defined by social prejudice. Despite a dialogue spanning bioethical, medical and social scientific literatures the differences between opposing views remains persistent. The result is similar to a figure-ground paradox in which one can see only part of a picture at any moment. This paper attempts to find areas of commonality between the opposing camps, and thus to rearrange the figures of the paradox at a fundamental level. The purpose is first to identify areas in which common ground can be achieved, and secondarily, to clarify the areas in which disagreement continues. While a general and unified theory of physical difference/disability is beyond the scope of this paper the result may advance that general goal.
Koch
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Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
D001675:Bioethics; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005053:Eugenics; D006801:Humans; D011287:Prejudice; D011788:Quality of Life; D012931:Social Environment; D012945:Social Values