During the Neglect and Discrimination Phase, individuals with disabilities often faced societal neglect, discrimination, and unfair treatment. This period was characterized by a lack of understanding and respect towards people with disabilities, accompanied by prevalent negative stereotypes and biases. Their needs and rights were frequently overlooked, leading to significant barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and public life. Such societal attitudes not only limited their opportunities for development but also caused psychological and physical harm.
1. Case of Theresa Pioneers (Early 19th Century):
Theresa Pioneers was a deaf individual living in the early 19th century United States. During that era, deaf individuals were commonly viewed as intellectually impaired or mentally unstable, leading Theresa to experience severe discrimination and unfair treatment. She was denied access to regular educational opportunities and marginalized from mainstream society, leading a life of considerable hardship. Theresa's case highlighted the extreme exclusion and neglect faced by people with disabilities during that period, representing the significant threats and inequality they encountered.
2. Case of Judy Gilbert (1960s):
Judy Gilbert was a person with disabilities living in the United States during the 1960s, facing multiple challenges due to congenital disabilities. In the social context of that time, individuals with disabilities were often seen as a group needing isolation and concealment, subjected to significant societal pressures and discrimination. Judy Gilbert's life exemplified the profound lack of understanding and support from society towards people with disabilities at that time. She not only faced restrictions in education and career opportunities but also encountered numerous difficulties and challenges in daily life.
1. Establishment and Management of Psychiatric Hospitals (Early to Mid-20th Century):
Over the past centuries, many countries established large-scale psychiatric hospitals to accommodate individuals perceived as mentally ill, including many who were actually persons with disabilities. These institutions often lacked proper medical care and humane treatment, leading to severe human rights violations and social isolation, further reinforcing stigma and societal exclusion against people with disabilities.
People with disabilities faced severe societal neglect and discrimination during the Neglect and Discrimination Phase.
There was a prevalent lack of understanding and respect, coupled with negative stereotypes and biases.
Rights in education, employment, healthcare, and public life were disregarded, resulting in psychological and physical harm to people with disabilities.
Representative events underscored the substantial threats and inequality experienced by people with disabilities during that period.