We live largely in a capitalist society where individual achievement and success is celebrated and where the strong is heralded. The world is for the most part a world for able-bodied people. Look around, it is not that difficult to imagine how hard it would be to be physically disabled in any way in an able-bodied world. Many places and buildings are still not wheel chair accessible or have little accommodations for the physically disabled. We take for granted that we can go or do whatever it is we please whenever we want. Being physically able-bodied gives us rights and freedoms that we take for granted like being able to drive, go to university, get job or even do something as basic as taking a bath or brushing our teeth. However, the reality for others like those who have physical disabilities is that even the most basic tasks can be difficult or near impossible without someone’s help.
According to Participation and Activity Survey or PALS conducted by Statistics Canada in 2001, “disability related to mobility affects the greatest number of adults”. In the same report it states that almost 2.5 million or 10.5% of Canadians had difficulty walking, climbing stairs etc. and 2.3 million 9.7% of adults had difficulties with everyday activities such as getting dressed or undressed (Statistics Canada, 2001).
People with physical disabilities live a reality that is different and greatly disadvantaged from the able-bodied world. In his article, Empowering People with Disabilities, Malhotra writes that for those people with physical disabilities who do not go to an institution or nursing homes, it is usually family members or friends who take on the role of caring for them, which is unpaid. He also notes that the majority of people with disabilities live in extreme poverty (Malhotra, 2006). Allot of whom if they are unable to work due to their disability live on social assistance.
Who has shaped these policies? Although, our current government is a Conservative government, Canada has predominantly been governed by the Liberal Party since World War II (Mullaly, 2007) and thus, its policies and programs have been mostly shaped by liberal ideology, wherein the role of the “the social welfare state” is to provide all people with at least “the social minimum” (Mullaly, 2007, p.108).
In my opinion, Canada with views such as I have stated, it is no wonder that our government policies and programs are inadequate and insufficient to take care of the disadvantaged like those who have physical disabilities through no fault of their own.
In light of those issues, we should consider looking at an alternative type of government and ideology such as that of social democracy who believe in “equality of condition” (Mullaly, 2007 p.115) and the belief that “from each according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her needs” (Mullaly, 2007, p. 116) for all citizens. Furthermore, if the government’s ideology is to reduce or do away with all “inequalities of income, opportunities, and living conditions” (Mullaly, 2007, p.125) imagine how that society would be shaped and the quality of life for all individuals including people with physical disabilities would be. This would include better financial support, health related assistance programs and more policies mandating for instance, that all buildings or places have wheelchair accessibility and other accommodations for physically disabled people. Therefore, my sentiment is to lean towards the social democratic ideology and believe that all people including people with physical disabilities deserve the dignity and right to a certain quality of life and opportunities in our society.
References
Malhotra, R. (2006). Empowering People with Disabilities. New Politics, 11 (1), 55. Retrieved from Masterfile database.
Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills,
Statistics
-Priscilla
Equality of condition is an important factor not just to advance Canada as a better functioning society but the other countries as well. We have a large percentage of people in poverty all over the world and if we could just give them access to same resources we have and no inequalities, there wouldn't be as many problems. I agree that everyone does deserve the dignity and right to a certain quality in life and opportunities and it's upsetting that there are people striving for it night and day, who may never achieve it, and there are others who simply don't care or work hard enough and they already have that quality of life and opportunities.
ReplyDeleteI think that the fact that there are places that are not accessible for the physically disabled would discourage them and make them feel unwanted.
- Kristal
Because of the length of time liberal ideology has been prevalent in Canada, a switch to Social Democratic policies could be an uphill battle. It is very likely that achieving a nation state with Social Democratic values could take a long time. To an extent society can work against the system amidst being trapped in it. Advocacy is one of the ways society can do this. The only downfall of this is at a certain point non-elite people can only do so much until current policies obstruct the social conditions we are working to improve. As disproportionate as it is, the current political party, is the elite and therefore have the ultimate word when it comes to policy implementation. In my eyes, it also seems highly probable that the current political party could be in power for a long time. Maybe instead of trying to work against the system or overthrow the political ideology in place appropriate comprises between institutions (for example: NGO's, government, large bureaucracies) could be made.
ReplyDelete-Brooke Davison
You are right Brooke, it would be tough to change since the Liberal Party and the Conservative government has been in power for almost a hundred years. The government being one large bureaucracy, as Canadians I think we all know and or have experienced how slow the government in responding. Furthermore, I don't know if the NDP which is the closest of the three major parties to social democratic idealogy would do better if they were given a chance to govern the nation. It remains to be seen since they have never been in power. I agree with what you said about compromises and I don't know what the solution is either but better cooperation needs to be done to create change.
ReplyDeleteI just posted the above post.
ReplyDelete-Priscilla
Change takes time! But we all know it is possible. As Brooke said, advocacy is very important in this. Many people are on board with social democratic views and would like to see the NDP party win. But unfortunately it usually comes down to taxes, and so far, money is more important for some people. Until they realize they are benefiting the community as well as themselves, the NDP party will not be elected. This is why advocacy and being involved in the community is so important to inform people who have the wrong idea about higher taxes.
ReplyDelete-Avery F
I like your positive outlook Avery! We should chant "Time for change!" or something like that. It would be great to see the NDP in power to see how they will govern. It is time for a change, we have seen how the other two parties govern. Advocacy as you both mentioned is a way to create change within the current system, through informing people and also by pushing government to create policies and programs that would benefit people like the disabled and other marginalised groups. Not giving up on this is another way.
ReplyDelete-Priscilla
I completely agree, marginalized groups can always use the help and support from allies. I was disappointed Judy didn't win for mayor, it would have been nice to see some change.
ReplyDelete-Avery F
Just to touch on Avery’s point about informing the public about higher taxes, in addition I think something should be implemented to inform citizens about the political ideologies and political parties in Canada. Honestly, before this course I had no knowledge whatsoever of the mission of or perspective of political ideologies or political parties in general. I think it would be beneficial to the nation and group as a whole if somehow we could properly educate people on the political spectrum. I think it is likely if information like this was accessible to the public, a clearer representation of peoples values would appear. It could be because of my ignorance of politics up until this class, and who knows if my case is a rare one among young Canadians, but when I turned eighteen and was legally able to vote I did not want to vote and frankly, still am reluctant to, because of how little I knew on the subject. Of course now I have a foundation to build on in respect to politics, I still feel there is an overwhelming amount of information in this discipline. Maybe we should look at implementing some sort of basic course in the educational system can prepare students for the decisions that will shape their lives after high school.
ReplyDelete-Brooke Davison
That is a great idea Brooke! I completely agree with you about our knowledge on politics, which I really knew nothing about. I knew which ones were "bad" and which ones were "good" according to their views but I never actually knew their views! I am sure lots of people know about politics, but not to this degree, and you are right, I am sure this could help change their mind if they knew their views on certain issues. Very interesting point you brought up!
ReplyDelete-Avery F
Same here Brooke, Avery! Before this course, I only knew a little about the parties but not really. I now feel like an informed citizen, in a way it is empowering! I agree with Avery, your idea about teaching this in schools is a great idea. By making it a part of the school curriculum, for instance as a part of canadian history including political ideologies. This is important because votes decide which party runs our country and now with my better undertanding, I feel that when I vote I am really voting from an informed stance. If the younger generation in high school are educated on this, they can speak with their votes and just think of how change can happen.
ReplyDelete-Priscilla
Yes exactly. This year the number of people who voted was the least amount since the 1800's or something ridiculous like that. They are trying so hard to get more people to vote, they should try the obvious and inform people on what they are voting for. Most people do not vote because they don't know what they are voting for; eliminating this would be a good first step.
ReplyDelete-Avery F
I completely agree with your blog. I think almost everyone who is not a person with a physical disability takes for granted many, things in our everyday lives. I enjoyed your blog cause it helps remind us (people with out physical disabilities) how good we have it and to respect those who may be struggling with their physical disability. I know I am guilty of waking up in the morning and getting dressed, putting on make up and heading to school however I forget to realize that I am fortunate to be able to do these every day things that we take for granted.
ReplyDeleteAutumn B.
We are fortunate in Canada to have a democratically elected government, and as voters have the power to remove someone who we feel doesn’t have our best interests at heart. However given that the physically disabled represent a minority, they get a fairly small minority of votes. The average person who is I not effected by a disability is unlikely to be an advocate for them. This is why it’s important for the government to take a larger role in addressing problems that minorities face. However as Brooke and Priscilla have already kinda stated, Canada has become more right wing with a capitalistic value on its citizens. Brooke the government rely on the fact that the average voter doesn’t know very much about politics, it’s what help give an even larger gap between the wealthier educated class and those who perhaps aren’t as well informed and allows the government to use shiny tactical measure to get the consensus and target demographics.
ReplyDeleteHolly