B.P2 - Explain how disability can viewed as a social construct:
In this area of my report, I will demonstrate my knowledge and grasp of the social
constructions used to describe disability. The word "social construct" is defined as "a notion
that arises from human interactions and exists because people accept its existence."
(Bainbridge and Poor 2022) This suggests that disability, which occurs as a result of our
beliefs, is a social construct. A handicap, or a long-term physical/mental impairment that has
a negative impact on the person's skills, is one example. To add to the complexity of my
report, I will talk about society and people's views towards disability, as well as look at social
attitudes towards individual impairments.
The social model "identifies the systematic barriers, derogatory attitudes, and social
exclusion faced by those with a disability that adds difficulty to their lives." ( scope.org 2023)
For others, it implies that culture is the obstacle that creates disability, since people who are
diagnosed face prejudice and stigma as a result of their handicap. This indicates that
disability arises as a result of the way society operates, from how it divides persons with
specific characteristics to how it takes advantage of the stronger voices. The social model
guarantees that society grows more inclusive of persons with disabilities; for instance, the
social framework would conclude that a mobility scooter-user can be more self-sufficient with
the use of a ramp.
On the other side, there is the medical model of disability, which contends that individuals
become disabled by their disabilities, as opposed to the social model, which contends that
disability is created by societal restrictions. When considering this point of view on disability,
one could argue that problems should be repaired through the use of healthcare, even if the
impairment or difference has no practical impact on the person's life. The medical approach
can lead to a loss of freedom because people look at their handicap and, rather than
adapting, modify it to match societal expectations. Such a viewpoint would regard a
wheelchair user as incapable of climbing steps to enter a building.
Disability may also be viewed as a construct of society via the lens of legislation. As I
mentioned before, persons with disabilities are segregated from those who do not have
impairments, displaying a certain stigma because the majority are those who do not have
disabilities. Laws investigate this situation and prohibit prejudice against people who depart
from the standard, and as a result, the social construct deepens. The legislation defines
disability as an impairment of the mind or body that has a significant and long-term impact
on one's capacity to carry out daily activities. Disability is defined by the person's impairment
from a legal standpoint; however, in comparison to the medical model, a legal viewpoint
would compromise for individuals with disabilities since they would be in a position of greater
risk compared with those without a disability. If a wheelchair user wished to enter a hospital
with steps, this would be considered discrimination under the law.
Overall, disability as a societal construct can create difficulties for persons who are or are not
diagnosed. Depending on the model, these people grow more or less reliant on others. The
social model, for example, encourages independence by looking at adaptations and
adjustments to society to meet the requirements of a handicapped person, whereas the
medical model attempts to 'repair' what isn't broken without lowering freedom since it would
rather perceive the impairment than the obstacle. On the other side, the law aims to punish
,people who seek the stigma and behave incorrectly because handicapped persons are in
the minority.
B.P3 - Describe how health or social care workers can help one child and one adult
with different additional needs to overcome challenges to daily living:
In this section, I will describe the primary areas in which a social or health care provider may
support Rebcca or Ben in overcoming the daily problems they confront as a result of their
disability. 'Challenge' is an implicit phrase that defines a difference in one's daily life that may
provide difficulty and need significant effort to resolve. For this, I will examine the many
health professionals engaged in Rebecca and Ben's care and how their involvement aids the
case studies in overcoming their everyday challenges.
Rebecca is a youngster with tetraplegia who requires the assistance of experts to meet her
private and public care requirements due to her immobility from the neck down. She is
already getting care from a carer and a designated teaching assistant, but this is not the sole
professional who can support her in meeting her needs.
A home nurse is one expert who may make Rebecca's life simpler. The purpose of a
residential nurse is to care for those receiving services in their homes according to a care
plan developed by a physician or a team of professionals. Some of their tasks include
documenting blood pressure and medical information, meeting the personal requirements of
the service user, Rebecca, and ensuring drug storage and disposal is done securely in
"accordance with appropriate protocols and rules."(2023, Monster) A residential nurse would
assist Rebecca with personal requirements such as washing and feeding, as well as
ensuring her safety by managing any medicines Rebecca may be taking. Rebecca would be
able to get treatment without leaving her house because continual travel from location to
location would be stressful for her, but transferring her away from her family and her home
would result in the girl's anguish
An occupational therapist is another practitioner that might help Rebecca. The job of a
professional like this is to provide for individuals who are unable to fend for themselves. This
includes Rebecca, whose paralysis "does not allow her even the most basic movements."
(2023, NHS Carers) Some of their duties would involve activities such as appraising
Rebecca's talents so that they can organise their own work into what Rebecca can and
cannot perform. This would guarantee that Rebecca is given the opportunity to be as self-
sufficient as possible without jeopardising her health. Another duty is to instruct caretakers
and others on how to care for Rebecca while she is not present.
This would assure Rebecca's ability to tackle problems without the support of an
occupational therapist, allowing her to meet her requirements at home. Another key duty in
assisting Rebecca in overcoming obstacles is to maintain touch with other professionals who
take care of Rebecca, like her "teaching assistant or her carer at school." (2023 Target Jobs)
Care professionals may also assist Rebecca in meeting her medical requirements and
overcoming her problems because they have accountability for supporting people's
fundamental needs, such as assisting the service user in eating and drinking. The care
worker could assist Rebecca by making arrangements for her so she can get the help she
, needs to become more autonomous, and she would support her basic needs, which would
be the most helpful in dealing with Rebecca's challenges because she struggles primarily
with implementing care of her own needs. The care provider would also monitor Rebecca
throughout the day, alerting her to any significant changes in her condition and well-being.
This might be a fast heart rate, elevated blood pressure, a sluggish pulse, or anything else.
This would take care of Rebecca's needs and allow her to be as healthy as possible while
still disabled. Because Rebecca is unable to care for herself, recognising her blood sugar to
fat ratio or weight would be useful in determining whether Rebecca is eating correctly,
drinking enough water, and burning sufficient calories each day.
A social worker, who is engaged to solve problems for service users while safeguarding the
vulnerable from injury, abuse, or bad living conditions, might also be involved in Rebecca's
care. Certain duties involve establishing periodic trips to the service user, in this case
Rebecca, and guaranteeing that she is in good mental health. A social worker is also
responsible for identifying Rebecca's needs through frequent sessions. These sessions will
provide insight into Rebecca's mental health and aid in the creation of a treatment plan to
address any difficulties that may arise. Rebecca may maintain a healthy mind in this way,
despite the presumed trauma of her injury and the subsequent treatment, such as "surgeries
and hospital stays." (2023 NHS Careers)
.
Because Ben has Down syndrome and diabetes of the type 2 variety, he faces many
obstacles in everyday life. One of these issues is that he has an academic age of 8, thus the
aid of his carers guarantees that he may overcome his difficulties.
en would necessitate the assistance of numerous professionals, one of whom would be a
dietician. Ben has type 2 diabetes, therefore a nutritionist would help him adjust his diet to
meet his needs. One function of the aforementioned care position is to develop a food plan
for the person in question that can enhance the service user's condition or, in Ben's
instance, help him adjust to the condition. Being able to adhere to a nutrition plan improves
not just Ben's everyday life, but also the lives of his carers. Another role would be to track
the individual's diet once the eating regimen is developed and make any required
modifications. By doing so, Ben can stay healthy for the duration of his care "without having
to worry about having a diet that would not suit his current needs." (US BLS, 2022)
A nurse with a learning disability is another specialist that can help Ben. This is a nurse who
works to enhance the person's mental and physical well-being, decrease barriers in
everyday life, and support the person's life so they may live to their fullest potential. The
nurse is responsible for "engaging with the service user and building a relationship of trust
with the service user, or Ben in this case." (2022, AGCAS Editors) This would make Ben feel
more loved and cared for, enabling strong ties to form between carers and those who use
services. Strong ties allow caretakers to better determine Ben's needs, resulting in his needs
being met to a high standard. This helps Ben to face less problems in his everyday life, such
as avoiding the battle with chores like eating and staying active.
Ben might also benefit from the services of an occupational therapist. This function
guarantees that persons who are unable to execute things on their own may do so with
assistance. The occupational Therapist will be in charge of Ben's daily chores, as he suffers
in many aspects of daily living without assistance. This includes assisting him with eating,