Reduced to a Score Sheet: Objectification of Disabled People in Social Security Policies

The Americans with Disability Act passed in 1990 was an important step in protecting the civil rights of more than 50 million people with disabilities in the United States and providing equal opportunity to participate in... [ view full abstract ]

The Americans with Disability Act passed in 1990 was an important step in protecting the civil rights of more than 50 million people with disabilities in the United States and providing equal opportunity to participate in public life. However, public policies aiding those with disabilities, such as SSDI and SSI, have existed prior to its passing. Although both serve a large population and SSI in particular has grown steadily in the last decade with spikes in children beneficiaries, debates have sparked regarding the underlying nature of these policies, which inherently objectifies disabled people. This talk will focus on this specific representation of disabled people. How do concepts of generalization, simplification, and certification of disability within public policies play into the development of this representation? How are these concepts manifested in public policies? Through analyzing these questions, I will put into perspective an existing dichotomy between policy makers and those receiving aid and how this representation may be perpetuating this dichotomy. This project will be drawing on multiple fields, including policy studies and disability studies, to review the two policies and to understand them as an embodiment of social values and their implications on people’s everyday lives.