Attitude of socity towards individual with special needs?
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Answer:
Prior to the twentieth century, social
attitudes reflected the view that persons with disabilities were unhealthy, defective and deviant. For centuries, society as a whole treated these people as objects of fear and pity. The prevailing attitude was that such individuals were incapable of participating in or contributing to society and that they must rely on welfare or charitable organizations.
Generally speaking, prior to the late 1800’s, people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, and/or epilepsy resided at home and were cared for by their families. Life expectancy for severely and profoundly disabled individuals was not as long as it is today.
Beginning in the late 1800’s, institutions were built by state and local administrative agencies to house people with developmental disabilities. These institutions were usually built on the outskirts of town. Societal attitudes fostered this segregating style of management. Unfortunately, segregating from society further stigmatizes people.
Florida Farm Colony for the Feebleminded and Epileptic was built in Gainesville, Florida in 1920. Management of residents was based on a “custodial” model. They were not integrated into community programs. Obviously, segregation from society is stigmatizing.
Changing Attitudes
Many legislative and societal changes occurred in the 1960’s and 70’s which had a great influence on the treatment of and attitudes toward people with disabilities.
A Presidential Panel established by President John F.
Kennedy, affirmed that mental retardation is not a hopeless condition; it is subject to prevention and amelioration.
President Kennedy passed the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963. This fostered the establishment of University of Affiliated Facilities which provided care to people with disabilities.
Medicaid and Medicare were established in the mid-1960’s, making it possible for many developmentally disabled persons and their families to secure medical and other long-term care in their communities.
President Lyndon Johnson established a permanent presidential committee on mental retardation in 1965.
The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964; tenets of which were
subsequently applied to many disadvantaged groups, including people with developmental disabilities. The civil rights movement spread and consumers began to organize.
Legal Advocacy by groups such as the ACLU in the “public interest” resulted in numerous judicial decisions expanding the rights of people with developmental disabilities.
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