Perception and Beliefs on Disabilities through The Years
- Sam Shepherd
- Jul 15, 2024
- 11 min read
By Nelson Tang
Millions of individuals around the world are affected by disabilities with more and more being diagnosed each year. These disabilities can either be physical, mental, emotional, or development with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Depending on the disabilities, these individuals are impacted by it in some aspect of their daily routines and lives. Moreover, this also means that they all have different treatments and solutions in improving their quality of life depending on their afflictions. This article will discuss a brief overview on how the perceptions and beliefs on disabilities have changed through the course of our history. One thing that is for certain is that it has mostly shifted in a more positive light over the years. This is due to the fact that we now have a greater understanding towards disability thanks to the research and advancements made in the fields of science, medicine, and psychology, just to name a few.
It is clear that disabilities have existed since the beginnings of human history and that we simply were not aware of or did not understand it at the time until the discoveries were made. During the earliest years of civilization, people pondered on everything trying to make sense of the world around them. They questioned everything in life and tried to figure it all out. In nature, they sought divinity and saw it as a sign of gods or the supernatural. As one can see, it was both theological and philosophical. Unfortunately, records and accounts of people living with disability were not recorded during ancient times. Despite this, archaeological finds have proven that people with disabilities did exist during these times based on the skeletal remains proving conclusive evidence.
It was not until the year 1552 B.C. where the first there is a reference to mental disability, which had been scribed in an obscure document called The Therapeutic Papyrus of Thebes in Greece. Like the Romans, the Greeks idolized the peak and ideal human body and were quite narrow when it came to self image. Both of them saw and thought themselves to be superior to all other races. Moreover, this also applied to disability as well, especially those affected physically. Sadly, when it came to writings and references, it was mostly negative towards people who had disabilities. The Greeks referred to them as idiots and there was no notion of what could be done to make life more acceptable, bearable, or easier for these individuals. Hippocrates, who is regarded as the "Father of Medicine," was one of the first to challenge the stigmas using more rational thinking. He challenged the idea that seizures and epilepsy were not caused by the gods but rather by physical causes and of man. One of the greatest philosophers in western history, Aristotle, would also come to observe and write about disability. Aristoles wrote books that covered various fields of study such as logic, ethics, politics, metaphysics, biology, physics, psychology, poetry, and rhetoric. He studied movement, analyzing the degeneration of muscles and defective development in human beings. He even went as far to propose a law that did not permit deformed children to live, which is extreme [4].
In Rome, it was worse when it came to the treatment towards those with disabilities. Children were oftentimes treated as objects of scorn where they were publicly persecuted or abandoned by their parents. Children who blind, deaf, or mentally impaired were thrown into the Tiber River or left in the forest by their families to die. It was even a Spartan law where it was legally required to abandon “deformed and sickly” infants. To some, it was seen as an increase in value as beggars if disabled children were further mutilated. Furthermore, disabled people served another purpose towards the rich or royalty, where they were made the “fool” or “court jester” for the amusement of others. Everything changed with Christianity and the arrival of Jesus who was referred to as “The Great Physician” where he was seen and credited for performing miracles and curing those who had been afflicted. Christianity helped in changing these ways and brought a more humane approach towards those with disabilities. The Greek physician and scholar Galen would also play a significant role as his ideas dominated the field of medicine until the Renaissance. He cited the brian as playing the essential role of controlling the body’s functions and the place of intellect [4].
As humanity moved into the next era of history during the Middle Ages, advancements were made across all fields. However, some things remained the same such as the faith and devotion to God as it was really until the next period in history where we as humans started to think more rationally, looking more towards science and logic rather than God and the divine being the answer to every question or problem. Unfortunately, certain stigmas and negativity also carried over such as the notion of disability being caused by the divine. During this era, disability was considered a punishment from God for one’s sin or misbehavior or that of one’s ancestor or seen as the work of the devil. Therefore, this led to those with disabilities being feared and often stigmatized, shunned, abused, or condemned by the rest of society as they remained indifferent and ignorant. Children and adults with severe disabilities were kept at home, isolated and hidden from public view, especially when it came to the wealthy or royalty, as they saw it as a source of shame and ridicule. Thus, they were denied access to things such as proper education, care, or employment [1]. Furthermore, these individuals held no voice or power in society until later times where they were advocated for and legislation was passed in aiding them.
The next era would come to be known as the Renaissance, which was the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age. It was characterized by humanism, intellect and the revival of classical antiquity, culture, learning, arts, and architecture. The reasoning for segregation of those with disabilities during this period was for economical survival as they were more likely to be part of the lower classes in society. The shift from religion to the arts and science had a positive impact as it led to more advancements in healthcare and a better understanding of disabilities. Notable figures from this period, such as Leonardo De Vinci, would study anatomy and the function of the brain [4]. In other words, these kinds of studies assisted in bringing a better understanding of disabilities.
Following the Renaissance was The Age of Reason or The Enlightenment, which was a philosophical and intellectual movement during the 17th and 18th centuries. Like the Renaissance, it moved away from religion and more towards humanism. This period in time was characterized by secularism, the pursuit of knowledge, scientific discovery, and thinking rooted in logic, reason, and rationalism. It is here where the first pieces of legislation were proposed and passed in helping those living with disabilities in England between 1563 and 1601. Queen Elizabeth of England prompted Parliament to pass a series of laws to take care of the "poor and disadvantaged." These laws shifted greater responsibility on the government in taking care of the poor and established almshouses for these people. However, conditions were poor in these houses [4]. Almshouses were seen in colonial America in taking care of those with disabilities, such as the Johnson County Poor Farm and Asylum. Conditions in such facilities were poor and not maintained properly or effectively like those back in England. Such included throwing in criminals and paupers with the disabled under one roof. Despite the promise of good living and working conditions, it was far from the truth when it came to most of these places. It got to the point where they became overcrowded and faced financial constraints. Families could no longer provide and support their loved ones who were afflicted as they became wards of the state. This led to many individuals being sent to “lunatic” or “insane” asylums [2].
During the late 1700s, there was some change in handling and treating those with disabilities with more humane approaches. One such treatment that was introduced by European hospitals came to be known as “moral treatment” and was seen mostly commonly in England and France. This kind of treatment strongly discouraged the usual methods through the use of physical restraints such as shackles or straitjackets. The focus on emotional well-being was essential and this was believed to be more effective in treating and curing patients. Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride was the inspiration behind this and also encouraged fields, farms, and workshops being built on the facilities to support patient health. Alongside moral treatment came support from religious organizations. However, this eventually proved to be costly and led to a negative turn. The idea of eugenics became more and more popular in the scientific and medical community during the 1900s. Thus, this led to many cases of euthanasia or lobotomies in alternating one’s brian [2].
The stance on people with disabilities remained divided as there were those in support and advocated for their rights and well-being, while others neglected and shamed these individuals. It was common practice during the early 19th century to “pass on” those with disabilities by putting them in a cart and sending them to the next town, as they were not wanted or welcomed [4]. The concept of care and educational provision for people with intellectual disability began in the 19th century [3]. During this time, there was a concept that would divide and categorize intellectual deficiency into two levels: idiocy and imbecility, which was created by Jean-Etienne Dominique Esquirol. Thanks to people like him, advancements in science and medicine, and awareness from social reform, society became more aware of people living with disabilities. This century also saw schools being built specialized in accommodating those with disabilities such as The Abendberg School created in 1842 by Johann Jakob Guggenbühl, who was a young doctor. This school would be the first of many like it and Guggenbühl believed that his students could be cured through proper health programming and training as they suffered from cretinism. It was a condition that caused deformity and cognitive disabilities. Edouard Seguin was a doctor as well as another key figure who believed that motor and sensory training could prove to be helpful in treating disabilities [4]. Custodial institutions became more popular from the 19th to 20th century gaining a strong foothold in the provisional care for those with intellectual disability [3].
The 20th century saw many concerning issues and challenges with intellectual disabilities. As mentioned before, eugenics became more and more popular and led to horrible things such as the Nazis during World War II. They believed and supported eugenics and deemed themselves superior to all other races. Furthermore, this meant eugenics was also unfortunately applied to those with intellectual abilities. The progress that had been made with the schools had been undone due to financials and a number of other reasons. Asylums became more popular and those with disabilities were often sent there where they would face cruel treatment and experimentation. This also led to overcrowded facilities and state-sanctioned sterilization [5]. The misguidance of eugenics had really hurt the progress that had been made during the last century.
Despite the setbacks that unfolded during the 20th century, the second half of it saw change that shifted it back towards the right path. Eugenics fell out of popularity and practice as it was and still is seen as an inhumane and extreme ideology. During the 1940s and 1950s, there was a movement called the Reawakening, which saw hope and possibility for those living with disabilities. Many parents across the country were frustrated and demanded improvement in the living conditions and services of the institutions. These parents would work on improving conditions in state institutions; creating community services, educational and employment opportunities, initiating legislation and challenging the perception of those with intellectual disability that they were more and not to be looked down upon [4]. Eventually, many hospitals and psychiatric institutions shut down, giving way to state-funded programs and services in place of these hospitals during the 1960s to 1990s. They placed an emphasis on tending to the needs of individuals on a case by case basis and this period saw the rise of disability activism [2]. Furthermore, segregated living ended as it was one of the things that activists spoke out against. As a result of this, individuals with intellectual disability have been able to live a longer lifespan receiving better care and treatment improving their health and general wellbeing [3].
During the second half of the 20th century, major pieces of legislation were passed in helping those with intellectual disabilities. One of the first was passed by President Eishehower in 1958, which was called PL 85-926. This legislation would provide funds for university training programs, specifically for special education. The reason that many institutions and psychiatric hospitals closed down from the 1960s and afterwards was because of President Kennedy. In 1960, he began the effort in moving the country away from these kinds of places to community-based support systems. Moreover, the first special Olympics was held in 1968, which showed that individuals with disabilities were just as capable of participating in sports and physical activity like those without disability. 1971 saw a major court case in the state of Pennsylvania that resulted in a major victory where all children with intellectual disability would have the right to public education. President Ford would build upon this as he signed a law called Education for All Handicapped Children Act (IDEA). He stressed that separate is never equal, contrary to the saying of “separate but equal” that had been used in the past. The act that he signed would compel all schools across the country to provide full educational opportunity to children with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act would be passed in the 1990s and it protected the civil rights of all people with disabilities. Since then, there has been the continued effort in advancing inclusive education, college and career readiness, and jobs with better pay. [5]. In 2022, the National Council on Disabilities (NCD) published a policy framework to end health disparities of people with disability as there are still things that need some work with the healthcare system [1]. It addressed specific problems and how to improve the healthcare and services for those living with disability.
As one can see the history of disability is quite long and comprehensive, dating back to the early years of civilization. It has shifted from a negative perception to a more positive one, which is what we have now. This is all thanks to the breakthroughs made throughout different periods of time that helped society gain a better understanding of intellectual disability. The further we go back in time, it was negative as there was simply a lack of understanding the conditions and reluctance to accept these individuals. Thankfully, progress was made over the centuries as people made scientific and medical discoveries that explained things. Thus, this led to more awareness and understanding. The second half of the 20th century is the most important as it was where legislation aiding those with intellectual disabilities. It was the beginning of where these individuals began to be truly accepted. Since then, there has only been a great effort in improving the quality of life of those with disability and to continue challenging and breaking stigmas and stereotypes. With more activism and awareness, we can raise more money that can be allocated towards research and development, education, and other services. With more research, there is the possibility to find more cures or create more effective medicines and treatments. It has been a long and hard struggle, but all the effort paid off in the end. Individuals with disabilities have proven to be as capable in doing everyday things and function as members of society just like everyone else. At the end of the day, we are all human beings and one in the same as the difference is irrelevant.
References:
[1]. Brief Historical View of Disability and Related Legislation, www.nln.org/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/professional-development-programs/ace-series/brief-history-of-disability.pdf..
[2]. “Disability History: Early and Shifting Attitudes of Treatment (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/articles/disabilityhistoryearlytreatment.htm.
[3]. “Historical Perspectives of Intellectual Disabilities.” FutureLearn, 25 Oct. 2022, www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/health-assessment/0/steps/42764.
[4]. The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. “Parallels in Time: A History of Developmental Disabilities.” Parallels In Time | A History of Developmental Disabilities, mn.gov/mnddc/parallels/index.html.
[5]. Story-of-Intellectual-Disability-Timeline.Pdf, pawaitinglistcampaign.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/story-of-intellectual-disability-timeline.pdf.
