Disability Issues

At the end of the posting, students should be able to: 1. describe issues pertaining to people with long-term disabilities and their families within the social and cultural context; 2. describe inter-relationships among disease, deformity, disability, habilitation, and rehabilitation; and 3. situate the roles of physiotherapy in disability issues in clinical and non-clinical settings including advocacy programme.

Definitions and descriptions of disease, deformity, disability, habilitation and rehabilitation. Common causes of long term disabilities – autism, poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord and head injuries, mental retardation and many others. Differences and relationships between the concepts of community rehabilitation and community-based rehabilitation for people with long term disability. Community reintegration post disability. Psychosocial issues – discrimination, deprivation, isolation, mental health, family finance. Care setting. Participation in the society – schooling, access to private and public facilities, transportation, occupation, participation in sports and recreational activities. Policies, advocacies related to disability. Comparison of disability issues such as legislation, enforcement and implementation of relevant promulgations and conventions in Nigeria and other parts of the world.