Work

The social construction of disability and the capabilities approach: Implications for nursing

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: PROBLEM: Improving the health and well-being of people with disabilities (PWD) should be included https://plato.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/encyclopedia/archinfo.cgi?entry=justice-distributivein any strategies aimed at eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity in the United States. However, practitioners and policymakers often overlook disability when considering health equity. This is problematic because structural injustices including social and environmental barriers frequently worsen health for PWD. A commitment to social justice, however, dictates that everyone should have equitable opportunities to participate in chosen aspects of life to the best of their abilities and desires. METHODS: We use a critical commentary to provide suggestions for the nursing discipline. Specifically, we 1) position the disparities in health and well-being experienced by PWD as matters of equity and social justice, 2) describe Amartya Sen's capabilities approach, and 3) provide suggestions for incorporating tenets of the capabilities approach into nursing practice, research, and policy. CONCLUSION: The capabilities approach can provide a useful framework to guide nursing practice, research, and policy in order to advance social justice for PWD.

Source: Nursing Forum

DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12389

Authors: Whitney A. Thurman, Tracie C. Harrison, Alexandra A. Garcia, William M. Sage

Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Disability Rights and Representation

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: University of Texas at Austin, Southern Nursing Research Society