KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

NAME : AGABA DEREK

REG : 2020-08-02080

YEAR : TWO

SEMESTER : TWO

LECTURER : MR. AHUMUZA ELIEZER

COURSE UNIT : DISABILITY AND SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

Date : 20th /01/2022

QUESTION

a) What do you understand by the following concepts

i. Disability
ii. Social work

b) Identify and explain the different categories of people with disabilities

who are of concern to social workers.
A disability is contested concept, with shifting meanings in different communities. It has
been referred to as an "embodied difference," but the term may also refer to physical or
mental attributes that some institutions, particularly medicine, view as needing to be
fixed (the medical model). It may also refer to limitations imposed on people by the
constraints of an ableist society (the social model); or the term may serve to refer to the
identity of disabled people. Physiological functional capacity (PFC) is a measure of an
individual's performance level that gauges one's ability to perform the physical tasks of
daily life and the ease with which these tasks are performed. PFC declines with age and
may result to frailty, cognitive disorders, or physical disorders, all of which may lead to
labeling individuals as disabled.  According to the World Report on Disability, 15% of
the world's population or 1 billion people are affected by disability.  A disability may be
readily visible, or invisible in nature.

i) SOCIAL WORK

Concept of social work

Social work is a broad profession that intersects with several disciplines. Social work
organizations offer the following definitions:

"Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes

social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation
of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect
for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social
sciences, humanities, and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and
structures to address life challenges and enhance well-being."

"Social work is a profession concerned with helping individuals, families, groups and
communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. It aims to help
people develop their skills and their ability to use their resources and those of the
community to resolve problems. Social work is concerned with individual and personal
problems but also with broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and
domestic violence." ‘

b) Identify and explain the different categories of people with disabilities who
are of concern to social workers.

People with physical disability

The common characteristic in physical disability is that some aspect of a person's

physical functioning, usually either their mobility, dexterity, or stamina, is affected.
People with physical disability are usually experts in their own needs, and will
understand the impact of their disability.

There are many different kinds of disability and a wide variety of situations people
experience. The disability may be permanent or temporary. It may exist from birth or
be acquired later in life. People with the same disability are as likely as anyone else to
have different abilities.

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is an umbrella description which includes Autistic disorder, Asperger's

syndrome and atypical autism. Autism affects the way information is taken in and
stored in the brain. People with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-
verbal communication, social interactions and other activities.

People with acquired brain injury (ABI)

Acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to any type of brain damage that occurs after birth.
The injury may occur because of infection, disease, lack of oxygen or a trauma to the
head. Around 160,000 Australians have some form of acquired brain injury, with more
men affected than women.

People with intellectual disability

A person with an intellectual disability may have significant limitations in the skills
needed to live and work in the community, including difficulties with communication,
self-care, social skills, safety and self-direction.

People with mental health conditions

Mental illness is a general term for a group of illnesses that affect the mind or brain.
These illnesses, which include bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and
personality disorders, affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts.

A person with a mental health condition may experience difficulty concentrating,

which can sometimes be a result of medication. Try to avoid overly stressful situations
wherever possible so that their condition is not exacerbated.

Vision impairment

Vision impairment refers to people who are blind or who have partial vision.

When talking with a person who is blind or has a vision impairment:

 always identify yourself and any others with you

 ask if the person requires assistance, and listen for specific instructions,
however be prepared for your offer to be refused.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing

Hearing impairments can range from mild to profound. People who are hard of
hearing may use a range of strategies and equipment including speech, lip-reading,
writing notes, hearing aids or sign language interpreters.

When talking to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing:

 look and speak directly to them, not just to the people accompanying them,
including interpreters
 speak clearly and use a normal tone of voice unless otherwise instructed by
the person with the hearing impairment
 if you don't understand what a person is saying, ask them to repeat or
rephrase, or alternatively offer them a pen and paper.