Equal opportunity that is what the liberal ideology is based on. Liberals believe if you give the entire population the same opportunities that it will have a strong impact on society. But they are forgetting “…if one person has a 50-meter head start in a 100-meter race, it is not likely that the other person will ever catch up.” (Mullaly 2007) meaning people may have the same opportunity but if you start off with hardships against you, it will be harder for you to compete against other people. For example, having a physical disability.
Liberalism has shaped the Canadian society. The Liberal Party though not the same as the ideology does have some of the same views, the Liberal Party has been in power for the majority of Canada’s history. That’s where Canada’s welfare system came from and Canada’s Medicare system was introduced by Tommy Douglas a Liberal from Saskatchewan.
People with physical disabilities start out 50-meters behind those who live without a physical disability. The 50-meter head start is very visible, in our school system and in the workforce. Gym actives aren’t always designed for or to include the child in the activity, play structure aren’t always the most accommodating either, they aren’t always wheelchair accessible, and some activities on the structures can be quite challenging for a child with a physical disability, and easy for child who don’t live with a physical disability. In 2006 it was reported that 39.8% of children ages 5-14 have severe limitations in their day to day life. (Statistics Canada.( 2007) Participation and Activity Limitation Survey) School can be hard enough, but to have a physical disability and not be able to join your friends can be even worse.
The workplace can be very challenging as well, maybe not as challenging as schools, but they can still be challenging for people that have a physical disability. Employees may be reluctant to hire someone with a physical disability because accommodations might have to be made to the workplace to make it accessible to the new employee. Most of the changes that may have to be made to accommodation a physical disability are tax deductible.
Does this really sound like everyone is starting at the same starting line?
References
Mullaly,Bob. (2007) The New Structural Social Work. Third Edition, Oxford University Press
Statistics Canada. (2007) Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. December 3, 2007, Date retrieved December 14, 2010.
Jordan
I agree with your assertion that equal opportunity does not benefit everyone. People with physical disabilities still face a lot of challenges in their everyday life. The Canadian Liberal government still has to make some changes in making the society a better place which suits everyone's needs.
ReplyDeleteMonalisa
Equal opportunity does mean that everyone deserves the right to have everything the same, but I believe that you are right about the part that you mentioned about starting off with hardships against you, and harder to compete against other people. People may have equal opportunities, but what about school and the workplace? Is it always an equal opportunity, or are there people that are ahead of you and are you the one behind? It is although, good to hear that Liberalism believes in equal opportunity for people with physical disabilities, but there is always usually going to be that individual who is starting ahead of you. Interesting post!
ReplyDelete- Angelene
I still struggle with the idea of not hiring someone because they have a disability. I find myself questionning society and asking why everything revolves around money and fear for taking on a challenge that might be hard. If you have to make accomodations for someone who can't walk why does it have to be so difficult? Surely something can be done without completey renovating an entire building.
ReplyDeleteJennilee M.