Studying Responses to Disability in South Asian Histories: Approaches personal, prakrital and pragmatical

Abstract

Approaches and pitfalls are described in the nascent eld of Asian disability historiography, focusing on mental retardation (learning dif culties) and blindness (visual impairments) in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. More substantial evidence has surfaced for study of responses to disability and disabled persons than for understanding historical concepts of disability. Critiques are considered of Orientalist information-gathering, of over-dependence on institutional sources, and of methodologies crossing disciplinary boundaries. With due attention to the range of hermeneutic variations, some recognition and understanding is possible of social and individual responses to disability and disabled people in South Asian history.

Attitudes of Pakistani Community Members and Staff Toward People with Intellectual Disability

“…Of all people with disabilities, individuals with intellectual disability may be the least understood in regard to the nature of their disabilities and their needs (Miles, 1998). There is very little empirical research on intellectual disability in Pakistan (Miles, 2001). Pakistanis have limited access to literature, which is produced mostly in Western countries (Berkson, 2004;Fujiura, Park, & Rutkowski-Kmitta, 2005;Miles, 2001).…”

“…There is very little empirical research on intellectual disability in Pakistan (Miles, 2001). Pakistanis have limited access to literature, which is produced mostly in Western countries (Berkson, 2004;Fujiura, Park, & Rutkowski-Kmitta, 2005;Miles, 2001). Rehabilitation professionals are virtually nonexistent in Pakistan, other than a minimal presence of physical therapists (World Health Organization, 2011).…”

Using the Capability Approach to Review the National Legislative Frameworks for Support Services for Persons with Disabilities in Four Countries in Asia

“…This is true even when we look at policies for support services where making them compliant with the CRPD remains a challenge, because it is not easy for countries to make radical changes in their existing and established systems which focus on providing care and reducing the burden of the family. Such perspectives reinforce the existing negative perception of disability, preventing persons with disabilities, their families and the community from demanding change [37]. While support services are linked with social security also in the UN CRPD, such services are a right, and therefore need to be viewed from a wider frame than addressing them only as a targeted social security measure for the poor.…”