Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 10:52:11 +1
From: olivier morel <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: IMPAIRMENT/DISABILITY
To: [log in to unmask]
Priority: Normal
Reply-to: [log in to unmask]
Dear all,
I am going to study for the M.A in Disability Studies in Leeds this September and I would like to
discuss the difference between Impairment and Disability. Although it appears to me to be
essential to tell the difference between these two concepts theoretically, I am not quite sure that
in every-day life the difference is as clear. Can anybody tell me what he or she thinks about this
discussion?
Thank you very much.
All the best.
Olivier Morel (Mr)
Hello Olivier,
This might be helpful. The World Health organisation definitions
and examples of impairment and disability are as follows:-
IMPAIRMENT = the loss of, or loss of function in, a limb or other part
of the body.
eg. John gas lost his leg in a car crash. Therefore he has an
impairment.
DISABILITY = thje physical consequences of that loss.
eg. Because he only has one leg, John cannot climb ladders. This is
his disability.
Then of course there is also HANDICAP, a word which I feel is
horribly misused.
HANDICAP = the social consequences of that loss.
eg. Because he cannot climb ladders, John has lost his job as a
window cleaner. His standard of living has dropped since he lives on
benefits and can no longer exercise his former life choices. This is
his handicap.
I hope that this is still current. I have been using it for a couple
of years as part of a Disability Awareness course I have written for
our students at Banstead Place who have an acquired brain injury.
Good luck with the course,
Best wishes,
Barbara Weston.
____________________________
Banstead Place Access Centre
Park Road
Banstead
Surrey
SM7 3EE
Tel: 01737 356222 Fax: 01737 359467
Email [log in to unmask]
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