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People with Disabilities
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People with disabilities comprise a large part of the population.
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It is estimated that over 35 million Americans
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have physical, mental, or other disabilities.
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About half of these disabilities are “developmental”,
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i.e., they occur prior to the individual’s twenty-second birthday,
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often from genetic conditions,
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and are severe enough to affect three or more areas of development,
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such as mobility, communication, employment, etc.
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Most other disabilities are considered “adventitious”,
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i.e., accidental or caused by outside forces.
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Prior to the 20th century,
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only a small percentage of people with disabilities
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survived for long.
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Medical treatment for these disabilities was unavailable.
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Advancements in medicine and social services have created a climate
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in which people with disabilities
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can expect to have such basic needs as food,
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shelter, and medical treatment.
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Unfortunately, these basics are often not available.
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Civil liberties such as the right to vote,
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marry, get an education,
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nd gain employment have historically been denied
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on the basis of disability.
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In recent decades, the disability rights movement
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has been organized to fight against these infringements of civil rights.
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Congress responded by passing major legislation
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recognizing people with disabilities
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as a protected class under civil rights statutes.
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Still today, people with disabilities
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must fight to live their lives independently.
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It is estimated that more than half of qualified
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Americans with disabilities are unemployed,
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and a majority of those who do work are underemployed.
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About two-thirds live at or below the official poverty level.
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Significant barriers,
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especially in transportation and public awareness,
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prevent disabled people from taking part in society.
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For example, while no longer prohibited by law from marrying,
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a person with no access to transportation
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is effectively excluded from community and social activities
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which might lead to the development of long-term relationships.