Understanding Disability in the Context of the Labour Market and Production

This chapter conceptualises and defines disability in the context of labour market and production in a competitive business environment. It points out that there is no well-accepted concept of what disability is. Instead, “disability” remains haphazardly demarcated from a “normal” condition. The idea of this “unwelcome deviation” from normality appeared when the concept of “normal” had acquired its modern meaning. The chapter points out that the mode of production under the modern capitalist system and its pursuit of efficiency has contributed to creating and reinforcing the negative stereotypes of disability in the context of the labour market. This chapter proceeds to examine three models to conceptualise disability, namely, the medical model which views disability as a personal tragedy, the social model which stresses social oppression and the capability model that links human potential and achievement. As the chapter argues, among the three alternative conceptualizations of disability, the capability model allows for a deeper understanding of disability in the context of the labour market and mass production.