WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Idris Busari and Ogunjinmi Aliu

The World Health Organization has developed the International Classification of Impairments, Disability and Handicaps (ICIDH). WHO (1980) defines:

Impairments: in the context of health experience, as any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function.

Disability: in the context of health experience, as any restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

Handicap: in the context of health experience, as a disadvantaged for a given individual, resulting from an impairment or disability that limits or prevents the fulfillment of a role that is (depending on age, sex, social and cultural factors) for that individual.

Looking back, our approach to people with disabilities has been less than desirable as there is a long history of abuse, discrimination and lack of compassion and understanding. One could also argue that throughout history, there have been many forms of discrimination of those with disabilities and that included such perceived disabilities as being a minority race, female poor.

CAUSES OF DISABILITIES

The causes of disabilities can be grouped into three (3) namely:

Prenatal causes: These are causes that occur before conception of birth. It is the first period of human development which lasts from conception to birth. It is the formative period during which all organs, the physical features and structures of the body are formed. The unborn baby which is known as foetus depends solely on the pregnant mother for survival. Therefore any toxins (poisonous substance) taken by the pregnant mother will cause serious problems to the unborn child.

Perinatal causes: These are causes that occur during the birth process. These causes include the following:

• Damage of birth or oxygen deprivation (lack of oxygen)
• Low birth weight and premature births
• Accident and illness
• Drug abuse and injury to the foetus inside the uterus (such as a mother being abused), excessive use of forceps

Post-natal causes: These are causes that occur after the child's birth or happening during childhood. These includes:

• Environmental characteristics such as child abuse and neglect
• Environmental poisoning such as the effect of direct radiation
• Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) which can be a cause as a result from the mother's intake of alcohol during pregnancy.

WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?

Special Education is designed to facilitate the learning of individuals who, for a wide variety of reasons, require additional support and adaptive pedagogical methods in order to participate and meet learning objectives in an educational programme.

Special Education aims to provide accommodated education for disabled students such as learning disabilities, learning difficulties (such as dyslexia and ADHD), Intellectual Disability, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, communication disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities (such as osteogenesis imperfecta, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida etc.

In an article by Stephen Weisman, he writes: “in the 18th century, having a disability was a death sentence in some instances.” Weisman goes on to report: “those who weren’t able to work were often left destitute and without other options aside from begging. ”They were the subjects of public mockery and scorn.

In 1800's, the number of people homeless and living on the streets became a social issue and new policies developed. As described by the Alaskan Department Health and Social Services, Disability History Exhibit: “Moral Viewpoint – Persons who lived in extreme poverty, including many with physical or mental disabilities were often put into poorhouses or almshouses. Such establishments, supported by public funds, began in the Middle Ages as a means of removing economic outcasts from society.”

As part of celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities every 3rd of December, the department of Special Education, University of Ibadan will be organizing a sensitization rally on 5th of December, 2022 on types, causes, prevention and management of children with disabilities.

 

CONCLUSION:

There is great ability in disability. People with disabilities are normal people, do not add to their problems by discriminating them!!! Everyone is potential to disability!!!

References:

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services. (2001) Disability History Exhibit Retrieved June, 2018 from: http://hss.state.ak.us/gcdse/history/HTML_Content_Main.htm.

Longmore, Paul, K. & Umansky Lauri.(2001). The New Disability History, American Perspectives. New York: University Press.

I. Kalu, (2014). Intellectual Disability and Special Needs Education: Educational Viewpoints. BWright Integrated Publishers Ltd. Ibadan.