Questions

1. Discuss how a person might experience their disability differently, from a sociological point of view, if they are born with it as compared to acquiring a disability later in life.

Recently, a number of sociologists working in the general area of medical sociology and chronic illness have expressed concern over the growing importance of the 'social oppression theory' of disability, associated research methodologies, and their implications for doing research in the 'chronic illness and disability fields' (Bury, 1992). Whilst these writers feel the need to 'positively debate' these developments the basis of their concern is similar to that expressed by Hammersley with respect to some aspects of feminist research, i.e. the tendency to 'privilege experience over sociological research methodology' (Hammersley, 1992). In short, it is perceived as a threat, firstly, to 'non-disabled' researchers doing disability research, secondly, to the traditional role of the sociologist giving 'voice to the voiceless' -in this case 'older' disabled people whose interests are said to be poorly served by 'social oppression theory', and, thirdly, to the 'independence' of sociological activities within the 'medical sociology world'

In this paper it will be argued that in the general area of disability research 'experience' should take precedence over 'sociological' research methodologies, simply because hitherto 'non-disabled' researchers have consistently failed to address the question of disability as perceived by disabled people whether young or old. It will also be proposed that within the context of medical sociology, sociological 'independence' has been conspicuous by its absence due to medical sociologists almost slavish adherence to the traditional individualistic medical view of disability or 'personal tragedy theory' (Oliver, 1986; 1990). Finally, it will be shown that disability can no longer be considered solely as a medical problem affecting only a minority of the population but must be perceived as a civil rights issue as central to mainstream sociological discourse and analysis as class, gender, race and sexuality.

2. Looking at issues of human rights, quality of life indicators and social expectations for individual with diabilities that we talked and read about. discuss the merits or dmerits of fund rasing programs such as Jerry Lewis's telethon for muscular dystorpy.

Many people with disabilities are restricted from exercising their own rights as the very language of debate often excludes people who have physical and/or sensory impairments or mental health problems. Having another person speaking for you, due to disability infringes on your human right to lead a self governing lifestyle. Removal of such barriers would make self determination possible. The governments have developed a three stage model to the different ways of viewing citizenship and they are self-determination, participation and Contribution. People with disabilities face barriers to achieving all three of these elements. Where the government are concerned that certain groups within society are not fulfilling their roles as citizens they are diminishing the opportunity for people with disabilities to demonstrate their level of citizenship and undermining the rights of disabled people.

People with disabilities face discrimination from a flaw or loophole in the very legislation that ...