Learning aim B: Examine how to overcome the challenges to daily living faced by people
with additional needs
P2: Explain how disability can be viewed as a social construct.
A social construct is a concept that is developed through human interaction rather than from an
objective truth. A social construction is formed through society unanimously labelling a person or a
group, due to the consistent reaffirmation of these labels by the members of this society they will
manifest, alternatively creating a divide and separating people into groups based on factors such as
race, nationality, sex, age, income, etc. A disability is any condition of the body or mind, that makes
it increasingly difficult or completely limits them from performing certain activities and interacting
with the world around them. Rebecca’s disability is tetraplegia following a traffic accident when she
was 5 which left her permanently paralysed. This disability affects her competence in carrying out
daily tasks and impairs her capabilities in comparison to an able-bodied child. Rebecca depends on
the support of her family, her social worker and her teachers within her special needs school. As a
result of this disability that physically distinguishes her from the rest of society Rebecca will be met
with discriminatory attitudes. This prejudicial societal reaction is also applicable to Ben as he has
been born with down’s syndrome which limits his intellectual, physical and social abilities. Ben will
therefore need assistance with almost every aspect of his living, he will need aid in managing bills,
seeking employment and everyday household chores will need to be completed by a care worker.
Ben will have a difficult time socialising outside of the residential care home; he will need additional
time when conversing with others as he may not instantly be able to communicate his feelings and
opinions.
Treating certain individuals differently compared to others constitutes discrimination. Rebecca faces
discrimination due to her tetraplegia, children her age group may feel reluctant in befriending her
due to their inability to comprehend disability. Additionally, Rebecca’s wheelchair will intimidate the
society around her leading to harsh comments as well as it becomes a limitation to her mobility
within buildings that are not wheelchair friendly, society around her will refuse to introduce
inclusivity because of their prejudice towards people with impairments. These factors promote
disability discrimination, when a person is deliberately placed at a disadvantage because of their
disability. Ben is also a victim to discrimination as he was rejected entry to a funfair due to his
appearance, he was also yelled at by a group of youths, this exclusionary attitude towards Ben
regarding his disability is considered as a violation of the equality act 2010. Every setting should
implement this act within their list of polices and legislations to create a more inclusive
environment. The equality act 2010 exists to maintain social order and prevent anyone from feeling
excluded, this act states that people will be legally protected from discrimination in larger society.
The characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010 are age, disability, gender reassignment,
marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sex. Therefore,
Rebecca and Ben’s conditions constitute under this law as it has been deliberately installed to
prevent ableism, they are legally protected.
An impairment is the term used to refer to the loss or abnormality of a body function that can be
anatomical, physiological and psychological. Ben’s down syndrome will make it challenging for him
to conduct his daily activities as it affects his cognitive ability, Ben has a moderate learning disability
that limits his development, resulting in his learning age being 8. This is a significant barrier for Ben
because during the process of learning new concepts he will be noticeably slower at interpreting and
digesting the information in comparison to those without a cognitive barrier. Rebeccas barrier is
physical due to her tetraplegia that has left her paralysed, she is unable to move her fingers, legs,
arms, feet and toes. This puts her at a greater disadvantage due to the huge role that mobility plays
within daily life. A task that would seem minimal to other people will be increasingly challenging for
Rebecca due to the fragility of her condition, she will need additional equipment for the slightest
