Question 1

Which sociologist, writing in the 1960s, argued that possessing "non-normal" traits can result in disqualification from full social acceptance?

Accepted Answer

Erving Goffman, in his book "Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity" (1963), explores the social implications of possessing traits that are deemed as deviant or abnormal, leading to exclusion and disqualification from full social acceptance.

Question 2

Canadians living with a disability are more likely to face which of the following, compared to their counterparts without disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Canadians living with a disability are more likely to face all of the listed challenges compared to their counterparts without disabilities, including unemployment, involuntary part-time work, lower wages, and lower educational attainment. These barriers can be attributed to various factors such as discrimination, accessibility issues, and lack of accommodations.

Question 3

Which of the following characterizes a life course perspective?

Accepted Answer

A life course perspective emphasizes how individual outcomes are shaped by accumulated experiences across the entire life course, taking into account various social, historical, and cultural contexts. It is not atomistic (A) and does not solely focus on the micro level (B) or static social context (D). While it does consider development and psychological changes (E), these are not the central focus.

Question 4

Which approach to the study of disability focuses primarily on the "problem" of disability as an issue of individual functional limitations and psychological consequences?

Accepted Answer

The medical model of disability tends to focus on the individual as having a problem that needs to be fixed, rather than considering how social and environmental factors may contribute to disability. It views disability as primarily a medical issue, and emphasizes individual functional limitations and psychological consequences.

Question 5

Which of the following is not typically associated with individual level interpretations of disability?

Accepted Answer

The historical oppression and segregation of disabled individuals is typically associated with a social model interpretation of disability rather than an individual level interpretation. Individual level interpretations tend to focus on the experiences and coping strategies of the individual with the disability, rather than the societal structures and attitudes that create barriers for them.

Question 6

What approach to the study of disability emerged from intellectual and political initiatives by activists associated with social movements of the 1970s?

Accepted Answer

The social model of disability emerged from intellectual and political initiatives by activists associated with social movements of the 1970s. It challenged the medical model's focus on individual impairment and instead located disability as a societal issue caused by barriers and environmental factors that restrict people with disabilities from participating fully in society. The social model advocates for social and structural changes to remove these barriers and address inequalities faced by people with disabilities.

Question 7

Social models of disability point to the need to distinguish which two aspects?

Accepted Answer

Social models of disability distinguish between impairment, which refers to a person's medical or physical condition, and disability, which is a result of societal barriers and negative attitudes towards people with impairments. It emphasizes that disability is not solely an individual problem, but a result of social and environmental factors.

Question 8

Which of the following would not be considered an aspect of disability?

Accepted Answer

While a medically classifiable condition may be a contributing factor to disability, it alone is not an aspect of disability. Aspects of disability include societal barriers such as individual prejudice, institutional discrimination, and exclusionary practices in education, as well as physical barriers such as inaccessible transportation.

Question 9

According to the variations of the social model rooted in Marxism, why is disability linked with exclusionary practices?

Accepted Answer

According to the variations of the social model rooted in Marxism, disability is linked with exclusionary practices because those who are impaired are seen as labour that cannot be exploited. This is because capitalist societies prioritize profit and efficiency, and those with disabilities are often seen as unable to contribute to these goals, making them less valuable in the eyes of employers. This creates a situation in which people with disabilities are excluded from the mainstream workforce and are therefore marginalized in society.

Question 10

Which of the following is not emphasized in social models of disability?

Accepted Answer

Social models of disability focus on the social and environmental factors that create barriers for individuals with disabilities, such as discrimination, exclusion, and oppression. They emphasize the need to protect the human rights of people with disabilities. Coping as a matter of personal deficit is not emphasized as it reinforces the idea that the individual is to blame for their disability and ignores the systemic barriers in society.

Question 11

In what approach is disability seen as a social category associated with minority status, and is central to activism and political action aimed at eliminating oppression based on this status?

Accepted Answer

The social approach views disability as a social category that is associated with minority status, and emphasizes the role of social structures and processes in creating and maintaining inequality based on disability. This approach recognizes that disability is not an inherent characteristic of a person, but rather a product of social and environmental factors. It also acknowledges the importance of political action and activism in eliminating oppression based on disability status.

Question 12

Based on the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disabilities, how many Canadians aged 15 and over reported having an impairment that limits their daily activities?

Accepted Answer

According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disabilities, 22% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported having an impairment that limits their daily activities. With a total population of approximately 28 million Canadians aged 15 and over, this translates to 6.2 million individuals. Therefore, the correct answer is C) 6.2 million.

Question 13

Research on what emerged in the 1970s, partly in response to enormous social changes occurring at the time?

Accepted Answer

Life course research emerged in the 1970s as a way to understand how social changes and historical events impact individuals' lives over time.

Question 14

What principle suggests that the same event can affect individuals differently and can change the meaning of the event, depending on when it occurs in history and in the individual life course?

Accepted Answer

The timing principle suggests that the same event can affect individuals differently and can change the meaning of the event, depending on when it occurs in history and in the individual life course. This principle highlights the importance of considering the timing of events in understanding their impact on individuals and society.

Question 15

In disability studies, which of the following is important because it determines the set of social roles, institutions, and cultural norms that an individual needs to navigate?

Accepted Answer

The age of onset is important in disability studies because it influences the social roles, institutions, and cultural norms an individual must navigate, affecting their adaptation and integration into society.

Question 16

What theory(ies) suggest that inequality is generated by a process in which initial relative advantages deriving from a more privileged social location lead to growing inequality among individuals or groups over time?

Accepted Answer

The theory of cumulative dis/advantage suggests that initial advantages or disadvantages can lead to increasing inequality over time, as those with initial advantages are able to capitalize on them, leading to further advantages.

Question 17

Which of the following is not one of the purported advantages of a segregated special education system?

Accepted Answer

The purported advantages of a segregated special education system include specialized teacher training, flexible curricula, regular contact with disabled peers, and accessible environments. Pragmatic workforce aspirations are not typically cited as an advantage of segregated special education systems.

Question 18

Which of the following most accurately describes education attainment in Canada for those with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with disabilities in Canada are more likely to end their formal education with less than a high school diploma. According to a report by Statistics Canada, only 11% of individuals with disabilities aged 25 to 64 had a university degree, compared to 26% of those without disabilities. This is likely due to various factors such as lack of accommodations and support for individuals with disabilities in educational settings.

Question 19

What principle is used to assess employer obligations to those with disabilities in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

The principle used to assess employer obligations to those with disabilities in the workplace is reasonable accommodation. This refers to the steps an employer must take to provide assistance or make changes to the workplace or work processes so that an employee with a disability can perform the essential functions of their job. It is based on the idea that employers have a responsibility to eliminate barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in the workforce. Other principles listed, such as diminishing returns, undue hardship, return on investment, and equal opportunity, are not specifically related to assessing employer obligations to those with disabilities.

Question 20

What category of workers with disabilities are more likely to have unmet accommodation need?

Accepted Answer

Workers in precarious employment are more likely to have unmet accommodation needs because they may not have job security, which could deter them from requesting accommodations out of fear of losing their jobs. This can result in unmet accommodation needs, which can affect their job performance and overall well-being.

Quiz 17: Disability and Social Inequality Over the Life Course