History and Citizenship

Unit 15:CONCEPT OF DISABILITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Concept of disability

Activity 15.1 

1. Use a dictionary to find the meaning of the term ‘disability.’ 

2. Using the internet, research on the definition of the term ‘inclusive education’.

Disability

 It is difficult for some people to carry out activities that a normal person does. This could be due to pre-existing or acquired conditions. Such people are said to be living with disability

Inclusive education

Inclusive education happens when children with and without disabilities participate and learn together in the same classes. 

Types of disability

Activity 15.2 

1. Look at the pictures above. 

2. Explain the type of disability in each picture.

There are four main types of disability. These are: 

(i) Physical disability 

(ii) Sensory disability 

(iii) Mental disability 

(iv) Developmental disability The pictures above show one type of disability. This type of disability is called is called physical disability.

 (i) Physical disability

 This is an impairment that makes one unable to use his or her physical organs to perform a function. 

(ii) Sensory disability

 This is an impairment of one or more senses. It mostly affects vision and hearing. 

(iii)  Mental disability 

This is a psychological or behavioural condition that affects the brain.

(iv)  Developmental disability 

This type of disability affects growth and development of a person. 

                                                         Remember! 

                                                 All people are equal.

Fig. 15.1: Inclusive education in Rwanda

Causes of disability 

Accidents:

 Many people become disable as a result of road, fire and work related accidents. 

War: 

Apart from causing death and destruction of property, war has always left many people disabled. 

Diseases: Diseases such as polio and cancer can cause disability. Some parts of a person’s body may be amputated as a result of cancer. 

Birth related: Some disabilities are as a result of problems experienced by the mother during delivery. Some children are born with disability.

 Inherited disability: Some people inherit disability from their family lineage. An example is albinism. 

Injections and medicine: Use of wrong medicine can cause lameness or even blindness. If injection is not done correctly, the patient may end up having disability. 

Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as earthquakes and lightening can also cause disability. 

Failure to immunise and vaccinate children: Children who are not immunised may suffer from diseases such as polio. Consequently, they will be disabled. 

Poison: It can cause conditions such as paralysis and blindness. 

Activity 15.3

 Describe how the following factors cause disability: 

• Accidents 

• Diseases 

• Injections

 • Natural disasters

Consequences of disability 

Stigma: Disability sometimes makes those living with it to have fear. Some people also cause fear to people with disability. 

Discrimination: In some families, children with disability are discriminated against. Some are locked up in rooms whenever visitors come.

Break up of families: Some people have ended up divorcing because of disability. 

Low self-esteem: Some of those living with disability look down upon themselves. They feel that they are not important in the society. 

Exploitation: Some disabled persons, especially women, get harassed. Some are sexually abused because they cannot defend themselves. 

Vulnerability to diseases: People living with disability are at a high risk of contracting diseases. This could be caused by germs that some of them contact every time.

Activity 15.4 

Discuss how the following consequences of disability can be addressed: 

• Stigma 

• Breaking up of families 

• Low self-esteem

Attitudes and feelings towards disability in Rwanda

 People with disability are often self-conscious about their bodies. They face all of the attitudes people have about disability whenever they go out in public. 

People with disability are easily angered by the sometimes patronising attitudes they encounter. They are suddenly treated as needy, unable and tragic. 

Encountering prejudices 

People with disability should learn how to let people have their beliefs. Let them find out that you do not care how they see you. Demonstrate an attitude that people should not pity you or make a hero of you. Return to the primary task of life, work, play family, community, love and spirit.

 Attitudes are learned 

People who have not had direct experience around people with disability always feel uncomfortable around them. They mostly rely on information given to them about disability. For example, if a parent pulls a kid out of the way of a person riding a wheelchair, the child learns to stay away from persons on wheelchairs.

Negative attitudes

Negative attitudes can become a barrier to the inclusion of people with disabilities and to achieving their fulfil potential. Negative attitudes include hiding them and denying them chance to participate in various social activities including education. However, the government  resolve to change this has been through catering for their needs in education and civic education to the citizens to appreciate people with disabilities. In the current constitution, they even have more rights as compared to times before. If treated well, they feel comfortable and accepted. 

Disability pride 

Persons with disability should continue to demonstrate independence. They should show that they are not looking to be cared for, but to be treated as a whole. They should hold their rights to make personal decisions and have a full life. As such, society learns to value and respect persons living with disability. 

Disability is not inability 

Rwandans have developed the attitude that disability does not necessarily mean inability. Persons with disability should therefore be given equal chances. They should go to school, start and develop businesses. They can get employment in offices, marry, have own homes and families. This is a clear indication that disability is not inability. 

The government partners with other non-governmental organisations such as ADRA-Rwanda (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), Handicap International and Action Aid. In partnership, they provide support materials such as wheel chairs and crutches. They give scholarships and offer trainings to teachers on how to handle children with disability.

Fig. 15.2: Material support to the disabled

The government of Rwanda has put on measures to ease movement of children with disability. One of such measures is the construction of user friendly buildings. The government encourages indoor games in schools to enable children with disability to study without difficulties.

Remember! 

Disability is not inability. We are all equal before the law.

Activity 15.5

As Senior One students, make an outreach programme. Reach out to any disabled persons from around your school. Help them to clean their environment and fetch water for them. Take time to interact with them.

Revision questions 

1. Explain what is meant by ‘people with disability’. 

2. Mention the types of disability that we have in our communities. 

3. State the causes of disability in most African countries today. 

4. Discuss the consequences of disability in Rwanda today.