3.3.13

The Fight for Disability Equality

Test yourself on The Fight for Disability Equality

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The Fight for Disability Equality

Some religions have been at the forefront of supporting equality for disabled people.

Disability Equality

Disability Equality

  • The story of the blind man in the Bible is just one religious attitude to disability.
    • In this story Jesus tells his disciples that blindness is not a result of sin.
  • In Islam, the Hadiths show that Muhammad treated disabled people with kindness.
  • Perhaps as a response to the example of their founders, both of these religions have been at the forefront of supporting equality for disabled people.
Christianity for equality

Christianity for equality

  • 'Through the roof' is a Christian charity, named after the Gospel story of a paralysed man being lowered through the roof of a house to seek Jesus' healing (Luke 5: 17-26).
    • It supports those with disabilities, and strives to see everyone valued equally.
  • 'L'Arche' is a Christian, faith-based federation of people with and without learning difficulties, who live and work together to support one another.
    • 'L'Arche' means The Ark, taking its name from the story of Noah and the flood.
Islam for equality

Islam for equality

  • Islam has never connected disability with sin.
  • It is seen as a challenge from Allah: Muslims are told they should treat disabled people with kindness.
  • One account from the life of Uman, the second caliph, tells of a man whose blind son could not reach the mosque for Friday prayers.
    • To grant him equal opportunity, Umar provides him with housing near the mosque.
  • In another account, a caliph orders that people with disabilities should have a special allowance and people to support them.
Special needs in Saudi Arabia

Special needs in Saudi Arabia

  • Saudi Arabia, a Muslim country, supports children with disabilities so they can stay in mainstream education.
    • This allows them the full range of educational and social provision.
  • The government supports disabled adults financially, so they can access a full range of opportunities.
  • They have an equal right to work, and to access public spaces, eg. shopping centres and parks.
Zakat

Zakat

  • Saudi Arabi's approach to disabled people reflects the Muslim understanding of the obligation to give Zakat.
    • This is not just seen as charitable giving.
    • Zakat is understood as an obligation to ensure that all people created by Allah can live in a just and equal society.
  • To give Zakat is central to Islam: it ensures that all people created by Allah can live in an equal society.
Jump to other topics
1

Year 7

1.1

Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2

Judaism

1.3

Christianity

1.4

Disciplinary Knowledge

2

Year 8

2.1

Islam

2.2

Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3

Buddhism

2.4

Sikhi

2.5

Atheism

2.6

Philosophy of Religion

2.7

Disciplinary Knowledge

3

Year 9

3.1

Life & Death

3.2

Extremism

3.3

Equality

4

Additional Concepts

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