(Re)conceptualizing Disability Policy Frameworks

Abstract

American disability policy is often framed as a health, economic, technical, and/or safety issue. This is a critical issue because this specific framework of disability is based upon narrow statutory interpretations of a policy sciences framework rather than a civil rights or social construction framework. This article addresses the critical interpretations of disability policy, notably the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the unintended consequences of the ADA through several court cases. Using these court cases as a starting point, the article examines the implications of disability policy from two different models: the policy sciences and social construction model. The article concludes with a discussion addressing disability using the two policy models to better serve the needs and expectations of Americans with disabilities.

Keywords:

• disability policy
• social construction policy model
• Supreme Court