Disability as a Social Construct

Wounded soldiers, injured workers, handicapped adults, and physically impaired children have all been affected by legislation that reduces their opportunities to live a functional life. In Disability as a Social Construct, Claire Liachowitz contends that disability is not merely a result of a handicap but can be imposed by society through devaluation and segregation of people who deviate from physical norms. She analyzes pertinent American legislation, primarily from 1770 to 1920, to provide a new perspective on the mechanisms that translate physical defects into social and civil inferiority.

Soldatii raniti, muncitorii raniti, adultii cu handicap si copiii cu deficiente fizice au fost toti afectati de legislatie care le reduce oportunitatile de a trai o viata functionala. In handicapul ca structura sociala, Claire Liachowitz sustine ca dizabilitatea nu este doar un rezultat al unui handicap, ci poate fi impusa de societate prin devalorizare si segregare a persoanelor care se abat de la normele fizice.