Impairment, Disability, Handicap
Impairment, disability, and handicap are terms that have very different meanings, although they are often used interchangeably. Despite, they are also related to conditions that make it hard or impossible to function normally.
Impairment refers to a loss to or abnormality of a person’s mental, emotional or the proper functioning of one’s bodily structure, which may be temporary or permanent- for example paralysis or blindness. Riddell (2009) defines impairment as a condition that interferes with the normal functioning of an individual. This refers to the abnormality itself which could be the malfunction of an organ, the loss of a limb, or a defect in the structure of the body. Seale (2006) further explains that impairment is a limitation which an individual experiences and which may be brought about by an accident or a disease.
On the other hand, disability can be described as a physical or mental impairment which has adverse effects or restrictions on a child to perform normal day-to-day activities. This may be as a result of impairment but impairment may not necessarily lead to a disability, since the impairment may or can be corrected. A disability therefore, refers to the function of the individual rather than the organ as in the case of impairment. Riddell (2009) further explains that a disability is the way in which the impairment impacts on the individual in particular environments.
Furthermore, handicap refers to a disadvantage that limits or prevents a child from performing a role that is normal when viewed from the norms of society. Riddell (2009) defined handicap as the effects of a disability to the extent that normal living routines are compromised. This is the manner in which the impairment restricts the normal functioning of an individual. Handicap considers the social and environmental consequences of the child. As such handicap is considered to be a social phenomenon. Therefore, as pointed out in (EDTK2030: Unit 6, 2013) it is possible to be impaired without being disabled and disabled without being handicapped.
In an effort to explain the terms “impairment,” “disability,” and “handicap” further here is an example of a plausible human example:-
In the writer’s Grade 3 class there is a little seven year old girl who is experiencing difficulty in reading. She was diagnosed with severe dyslexia. Although she has excellent vision and hearing yet she is unable to read. The impairment is that she has an inability to make the association between sounds and symbols. Her brain is not connecting visual and auditory information correctly. The disability is her inability to read which can be improved by using a variety of reading strategies and methods. The handicap is that as compared to the other children in the class she may not excel on her end of term exam. If an effective approach is not found to improve her reading condition then this affects the child’s life and becomes a handicap.
Impairment refers to a loss to or abnormality of a person’s mental, emotional or the proper functioning of one’s bodily structure, which may be temporary or permanent- for example paralysis or blindness. Riddell (2009) defines impairment as a condition that interferes with the normal functioning of an individual. This refers to the abnormality itself which could be the malfunction of an organ, the loss of a limb, or a defect in the structure of the body. Seale (2006) further explains that impairment is a limitation which an individual experiences and which may be brought about by an accident or a disease.
On the other hand, disability can be described as a physical or mental impairment which has adverse effects or restrictions on a child to perform normal day-to-day activities. This may be as a result of impairment but impairment may not necessarily lead to a disability, since the impairment may or can be corrected. A disability therefore, refers to the function of the individual rather than the organ as in the case of impairment. Riddell (2009) further explains that a disability is the way in which the impairment impacts on the individual in particular environments.
Furthermore, handicap refers to a disadvantage that limits or prevents a child from performing a role that is normal when viewed from the norms of society. Riddell (2009) defined handicap as the effects of a disability to the extent that normal living routines are compromised. This is the manner in which the impairment restricts the normal functioning of an individual. Handicap considers the social and environmental consequences of the child. As such handicap is considered to be a social phenomenon. Therefore, as pointed out in (EDTK2030: Unit 6, 2013) it is possible to be impaired without being disabled and disabled without being handicapped.
In an effort to explain the terms “impairment,” “disability,” and “handicap” further here is an example of a plausible human example:-
In the writer’s Grade 3 class there is a little seven year old girl who is experiencing difficulty in reading. She was diagnosed with severe dyslexia. Although she has excellent vision and hearing yet she is unable to read. The impairment is that she has an inability to make the association between sounds and symbols. Her brain is not connecting visual and auditory information correctly. The disability is her inability to read which can be improved by using a variety of reading strategies and methods. The handicap is that as compared to the other children in the class she may not excel on her end of term exam. If an effective approach is not found to improve her reading condition then this affects the child’s life and becomes a handicap.
References
EDTK2030 Information and Communication Technology in Education. (2013). Unit 6:
Assistive technologies in education. [Essential reading]. UWI Open Campus.
Riddell, S. (2009). Social justice, equality and inclusion in Scottish education. Discourse:
Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 30, 283-296.
Seale, J. K. (2006). E-Learning and disability in higher education: Accessibility, research
and practice. London: Routledge.
EDTK2030 Information and Communication Technology in Education. (2013). Unit 6:
Assistive technologies in education. [Essential reading]. UWI Open Campus.
Riddell, S. (2009). Social justice, equality and inclusion in Scottish education. Discourse:
Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 30, 283-296.
Seale, J. K. (2006). E-Learning and disability in higher education: Accessibility, research
and practice. London: Routledge.