Physical Disability versus Developmental Disability

Abstract

Disability has been part of society from time begun, however, the study sorted out to inquire what exactly people thought about physical disability as well as developmental disability. The study made participants think along the lines of the perspectives they had about the two disorders and brought out the differences they had about them. This study was conducted in the Abelemkpe and Dzorwulu vicinity where participants were selected based on their convenience. The study was developed from a qualitative methodology and semi structured interview guides were used. Form the study it was brought to light that people were more accepting towards persons with developmental disabilities as compared to persons with developmental disabilities. They also made comparisons on the demandingness and caregiving both needed, education and job prospects. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License OAJAP.MS.ID.000509. Open Access Journal of Addiction and Psychology Volume 1-Issue 2 Citation: Hilda Aboagyewaa Agyekum. Physical Disability versus Developmental Disability. Open Access J Addict & Psychol. 1(2): 2018. OAJAP. MS.ID.000509. DOI: 10.33552/OAJAP.2018.01.000509. Page 2 of 4 disabilities are varied and remain unknown in a large proportion of cases [10-12], Finucane B, et al. [13] attributed this to the relative contribution of nature versus nurture being debated on for decades. However a few researchers have come out to say that the disorder can be from either small [14] or extreme environmental stress [15], genetic factors [11] and others address the spiritual causation [16]. On the other hand, Chiteraka C [17] has defined physical disability as any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomic loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, lymphatic, skin, and endocrine systems. It is simply a limitation on an individual’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. It is currently estimated that out of the ten percent of the world’s population afflicted with various forms of impairments, about 500 million are physically impaired [18]. In Ghana, the 2010 population Census revealed that physical impairment was the second most common type of disability in Ghana after visual impairment in both urban (25.1%) and rural (25.7%) localities in Ghana. Though a lot of work has been done on both physical disabilities and developmental disorders, there has not been much work done on the perspectives people have about them. It can be seen that in as much as everyone had their opinions on both disorders, there was the need to verify their stands on these disorders when asked to compare them. The study sorted out to investigate the ideologies of Ghanaians when it comes to physical and developmental disorders and how these two disorders are treated differently, or if they both receive the same the same kind of treatment in Ghana.