Disability Controversies: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

This article addresses issues and controversies involving social work and disability. Historic and contemporary disability perceptions and roles are considered. Definitions of disability and disability language are discussed. The place of disability and disabled persons within the National Association of Social Workers and Council on Social Work Education are explored. Social work practice issues are addressed and the futures of disability and disabled people are considered.

Development and Validation of the Social Worker’s Attitudes Toward Disability Scale

“…Some have analyzed the approach that our professional associations (i.e., Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] and NASW) have taken, noting the lagging pace at which we have adopted disability within our diversity frameworks (Mackelprang, 2010). Others have critiqued the availability of disability-related course offerings to students within accredited schools of social work, questioning the adequacy of exposure to disability issues provided to incoming professionals (Laws, Parish, Scheyett, & Egan, 2010;Leslie, 2008).…”

“…Social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and integrity-three of the six mission values asserted by the National Association for Social Workers (NASW)-are key to the disabled community as it strives for inclusion within mainstream society (NASW, 2008). Yet, although the involvement of social workers in the lives of those with disabilities dates to the inception of our profession, the relationship has been complicated, leaving many in the profession wondering exactly where we stand (Mackelprang, 2010).…”

“…The NASW Diversity and Equity Website (NASW, 2011a) continues to omit disability from its diversity foci (which center on women's issues; racial and ethnic diversity; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues; Mackelprang, 2010). It is worth noting that the NASW has included mention of disability within its Code of Ethics, stating that "social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, or mental or physical disability" (NASW, 2008, Section 4.02).…”

Expectations of Greek Parents about Employment Opportunities for their Child with Learning Disabilities: Implications for Social Workers

“…It recognises that the majority of problems with disabled people arises as a result of external factors such as discrimination and devaluation. To complement, the interactive model acknowl edges the interplay between the individual's impairment and the disabling environment (Rimmerman & Araten-Bergman, 2009;Mackelprang, 2010).…”

“…Under such perspective they were viewed as having a lack of adaptability to their surrounding environment. Therefore they had to be dependent on society for charity and care (Mackelprang, 2010).…”