From the Field -- The Changing Nature of Disability Policy and Its Distributive Impact

Abstract

The focus of disability policy changes over time. Starting with vocational rehabilitation programs for disabled veterans of World War I and continuing down to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the policy slowly evolved from paternalistic handouts to civil rights legislation. Nevertheless, the intended outcomes of these public policies were based upon need (equity) to a large degree. The literature contains some findings that persons with developmental disabilities and persons who are severely disabled are the beneficiaries of assistance more than others. However, conclusions from a study of the Disability Community in Massachusetts indicate that class considerations are highly associated with receiving benefits from disability policy of all types. The same is true of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is a case of class politics operating in the guise of need (equity). The implications of these conclusions for disability policy are discussed.