The wheel chairs bound were perceived to lack the ability to carry out chores and duties. This was depicted in the 1970 postage stamp that was named “Hope for the crippled”. The stamp showed the disabled person rise to his feet. This in a way showed that only the normal people had the ability to perform well.
The organisations that catered for people with disabilities and mobility impairments were interested in establishing the causes of disability and not the effects ( Zames and Fleischer,2001). The poster child in this case refers to the use of posters showing disabled children. This concept was used by organisations to appeal to the masses during fund raising campaigns. The photographs displayed on the posters were those of crippled children. This concept was later imitated by other disability groups which opted for physically appealing children in their posters. Emphasising on disabled children proved to be an effective way of raising funds ( Zames and Fleischer,2001).
Implementation of this strategy was later blown out of proportion when other organizations opted for rather undignified methods whereby real children with disabilities were used as objects of dignity.
This flawed method of raising funds amplified the problems faced by young disabled children at the expense of those faced by adults. This method was not sustainable in addition to that these funds raised were not put to proper use so that the children would benefit.
Seeing by touch hearing by sign. Most deaf people at this time were thought to be incapable of performing most tasks. In fact they were not allowed to inherit property ( Zames and Fleischer,2001). Oralism was devised by a Spanish priest called Ponced de Leon who sought to circumvent the legal hurdles to enable the deaf to inherit land. It took around twenty years to fully develop oralism to a level that can be widely used. In 1880 the congress in Milan successfully barred the deaf from voting and teaching ( Zames and Fleischer,2001). The development of sign language however enabled the deaf and blind merge both oralistic and sign language to enable them to communicate. Braille was developed by the blind and was finally adopted by teachers in various institutions.
Deinstitutionalization and independent living. In the previous times the disabled were institutionalised in homes whereby they were incarcerated against their will. There was need to deinstitutionalise the disabled people who were in homes and are capable of surviving on their own. Independent living is important for the disabled who will be able to cater for their needs ( Zames and Fleischer,2001) .
The endeavour to learn among the disabled started with the development of sign language for the blind in the 1980s. Sign language is 90 % body language and facial expression this development ensured that the blind were able to access education easily. Education and employment opportunities were limited for the disabled who were initially perceived as abnormal. It was difficult for them to achieve full employment as well as education ( Zames and Fleischer,2001). The disabled were also viewed as incomplete members of the society and were further seen as a burden. This made them rally and fight for their rights.
