All societies include adults and children who require additional support, in order to deal with the
daily challenges which are part of their everyday lives. Some of these challenges are not from an
impairment, but from the response of society, to adults and children who are differently abled. In
this assignment I will be evaluating the impact of the support on your two individuals, in improving
their wellbeing and life changes, an assessment and an explanation of the impact of the different,
daily challenges faced by my selected child and adult and an analysis and a description of how the
selected individuals have benefitted from the provision and support they have received from the
statutory services. I will also cover a description of the health and social care workers who support
my selected child and adult, can help them both to overcome the challenges of daily life and an
explanation of how disability can be described as a social construct.
The medical model of health focusses on using medication or treatment to cure, looking at the
impairment first followed by the disability being at the centre. The model focusses on the cause and
the effect of the scenario and is often associated with a negative outcome (n.d) [Sociological
perspectives for health and social care]. Rebecca and Ben in case study one and two have an
impairment, meaning when their health was assessed and their impairment was analysed by
professionals, they may have been assessed by a professional who used the medical model of
health. This may of likely caused a negative outcome to their care as it doesn’t allow individuals with
an impairment to live as freely and become independent.
The social model of health is aimed towards removing those who have impairments barriers and
obstacles, to live more independently and have freedom. The social model of health was created by
disabled individuals, promoting the idea of how attitudes towards people with disabilities create
barriers. Inaccessible environments make an impairment a disability.
Disability is an inability to carry out a particular function. Disability and an individuals dependency
can often be viewed as a social construct, especially those to whom have an impairment, which is a
limiting function. Those who have impairments or ‘disabilities’ often view themselves with not
having a disability, but being disabled by society and the environment around them, disabling them
to carry out particular actions. Those who have an impairment, such as an individual who is deaf,
feel as though it is society’s lack of inclusion which makes an individual disabled (Feb 1, 2017)
[DISABILITY SOLUTIONS]. Society creates an idealisation that all those who are ‘disabled’ have a large
dependency on workers and carers, however those with an impairment aim towards removing
barriers and work towards living independently. Disablement is the state of being disabled or the
experience of becoming disabled (n.d) [Collins English Dictionary]. Linking this with the case study,
Rebecca is a wheelchair user, which is a supportive equipment put in place to enable Rebecca to
move freely, enabling her to have freedom and independence in her movement. However, disabling
Rebecca would mean that if an environment restricted Rebecca’s capabilities, such as there not
being a ramp or lift available for her to access a school or place of education, this would cause
Rebecca to be disabled as she is disabled from having access to what others without an impairment
would be able to access freely.
In case study two, Ben is disabled from going to the funfair as Ben was refused entry by the
manager due to his appearance, caused by his impairment being down’s syndrome. This is an act of
discrimination, the unjust prejudicial treatment categories of people such as impairments, race or
sex. Ben is however enabled to carry out tasks in his residential living as he is supported in carrying
,out daily activities such as dressing himself as he is provided support from the carers who care for
Ben in the residential home.
To understand disability & dependency, we need to have resources in place to enable people with
impairments to live independent lives and minimise environmental & social challenges. This allows
those with impairments and additional needs to have an improved wellbeing and increased
likelihood of positive outlooks & life chances. Consideration must be given to those who are elderly
and pushchair users, carers, friends & family of people with a disability. Access ramps, accessible
equipment and environment should be available to those with an impairment at all facilities and
environments. Department for transport (DfT) in 2004 introduced a policy in which promotes social
inclusion by tackling accessibility problems. These barriers included the physical accessibility of
transport, its costs, where services operated & the concerns about safety. Design considerations
such as lowered sinks in public toilets, lowered desks and information signs should be available.
In case study one, Rebecca’s housing accommodation is not wheelchair friendly as they do don’t
provide a ramp or lift and Rebecca lives upstairs, making Rebecca loose independence as she is
unable to take herself to her home and relies on assistance from her carer. In case study two, Ben
lives in a group setting with five other adults who have learning difficulties and who also require
additional support, in which, the residential setting may involve resources and equipment available
to support the individuals with additional needs, such as wider corridors and doors as well as
automatic doors for any wheelchair users in the home.
Reasonable adjustments are a key part of the equality act 2010 and require an individuals employer
to adjust their workplace or working conditions so the individual can return to or continue to work
once the employer is aware of the individuals disability. The Equality Act 2010 (revised and updated
in 2015) is a legal framework to protect the rights of all individuals and advance equality of
opportunity for all. HASAWA is a huge part of this transition back into work for those who have an
impairment. HASAWA is the health and safety act 1974 which protects employers & employees
against any form of discrimination and putting things in place to prevent this. Applying this to the
case studies, when Rebecca has a job, her working environment will have to be adjusted in order for
Rebecca to work successfully in the workplace and to be included and not discriminated against. This
may include lowered desks and assistive technology. Communication aids may be put in the
workplace in order to assist individuals with communication issues, this may involve confidence or
learning disabilities or for those following a stroke. In case study two, if Ben wanted to start work,
his workplace would have to be adapted in order to meet his needs, such as an advocate to help
express his emotions, or a member of staff to guide and support Ben in work.
The Centre for Research in Social Policy produced a report in 2012, ‘Accessibility Planning Policy:
Evaluation and Future Directions’, about the concerns of transport organisations, including their
efforts to try and provide full physical accessibility and availability. Barriers which are faced are often
about individuals safety and security whilst travelling. Barriers also include the availability and the
physical accessibility of transport, its cost and where services operated. These organisations provide
accessible equipment in local transport in order to include and involve those with additional needs in
order to have access to freedom of using transport freely. These adaptations in transport and
accessible equipment involve priority seats, boarding devices such as ramps in doors, lowered
buttons, handrails, colour contrasting handrails and steps to help partially sighted people, vehicle
lowering systems and assistance can be requested from the driver or available staff [2019] (Citizens
Advice).
, Rebecca in case study one is a wheelchair user, this means that Rebecca would have access to
priority seats in public transportation as well as ramps, handrails and buttons lowered for her to
access independently. Ben who has down’s syndrome, if he were to need access to a train, when he
needs to travel, he can contact National Rail ahead of his journey to arrange any support he may
think he’ll need from staff. If Ben would need a bus or coach to transport, bus drivers are obligated
by law to give reasonable assistance to those with learning difficulties and disabilities, this would
include Ben receiving assistance in his transportation to give himself independence (n.d) [mencap].
Access in all business buildings should be provided. In part M of the Building Regulations 2010, the
regulation sets out the legal requirements for accessibility and the accessibility to buildings for
people who use a wheelchair, removing barriers which prevent wheelchair users from entering the
building. Applying this to the case studies, Rebecca in case study one is a wheelchair user and needs
barriers removed in order to access buildings, such as ramps, allowing Rebecca to access buildings
independently. In case study two, Ben’s residential setting may include ramps for those with
additional needs or impairments or visitors and staff working and visiting the setting.
When minimising environmental and social challenges, it is important to involve inclusion in
activities in everyday life, such as leisure activities, internet and social networking. The use of
involvement in leisure activities allows individuals to have access to the benefits of attending leisure
activities such as making friends, communicating with others, having routine, having exercise and a
sense of self. If Ben in case study two was to attend any public leisure activities, the staff involved
with the centre must have received training on equal opportunities & disability awareness. In case
study one, Rebecca would need access for attending leisure activities such as swimming as she is a
wheelchair user. Her access needs at the centre may involve hoisting equipment, priority and
accessible changing rooms & toilets and showers in order for Rebecca’s needs to be met and to be
included.
Internet and social networking is an effective way of guiding and supporting individuals to live
independently, to maintain relationships, educate themselves, understand the world, find a
community and gain friendships. It is important for computer programs to be accessible for those
with additional needs, these might include the use of assistive technologies and programs to guide
those with certain requirements in order to use the internet and social networks. Linking with the
case studies provided, in case study one, Rebecca and her family are having finance issues, which
can be a barrier with her needs to access internet in order for educational purposes. Removing these
barriers, such as the school providing Rebecca with a laptop to use at the school or at home would
be allowing Rebecca to contribute to the rich culture of the internet. In case study two, Ben has
down’s syndrome, which can effect individuals perception and the way they learn. Technology can
provide accessibility in order for Ben to have access to the internet and social networking, such as,
the provision of a vocal reader or subtitles.
Mobility aids are used to assist individuals who may lack mobility and strength and those with
physical impairments. These mobility aids allow individuals to gain independence as well as improve
their wellbeing and sense of self. These mobility aids may involve wheelchairs and walking sticks. In
case study one, Rebecca has access to a wheelchair as she does not have movement below her
cervical spine. The use of the wheelchair allows Rebecca to move freely and independently,
improving her daily life and mental wellbeing. Ben in case study two has no physical disabilities
which require mobility aids, however if Ben was to become weaker and loose mobility as he gets
older, Ben will need to be provided with a walking stick or mobility scooter for Ben to have
assistance in walking and travelling long distances independently.
