Chronology:
Time Line of Disabilities and Concern for Veterans
The way our nation treats service members and veterans with disabilities has evolved over time. Social factors, people’s attitudes, legislative decisions, changes in the government’s leadership, reevaluations of the definition of disability, and even actions and lobbying by veterans themselves have all contributed to the way that our nation thinks about and provides services to returning service members.
The chronology presents some of the important events through the centuries that have impacted veterans and service members with disabilities and shows the changes in ways that society thinks about and cares for people with disabilities. As with the first two chapters of our book, this chronology may provide you with some perspective on your own situation.
It can also demonstrate how veterans and individuals with disabilities can organize themselves, protest, and influence systems of recovery in order to receive better care and improve their benefits. It also demonstrates how perceptions of disabilities (and how we treat people with disabilities) have changed over time, from such extreme ideas like the euthanasia movement recommending forced sterilization (or even execution) of anyone with a physical difference sixty years ago to the rehabilitation and recovery movements of today that promote the benefits of restoration into one’s community of choice.
This chronology tracks events and changes in a number of areas:
● The definition of disability has changed over time from a medical model (where the individual is “afflicted” with a physical condition) to a social model that focuses on the barriers and prejudices raised by others as the primary “disabling” variables.
● Concern for veterans has expanded to encompass the lifespan of the soldier, from the time of entry into the military to old age and death.
● Our nation’s military force has become more diverse by admitting members of minority groups and women into full participation―thus also increasing the number and types of people in the groups who return home with disabilities.
● Medical understanding of psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) has changed over time and treatment for patients has improved with this understanding.
● To respond to demand, the government has created and altered agencies to serve the military’s members and veterans.
● Society’s understanding of the treatment of people with disabilities has changed over time, from ancient times when people with disabilities were locked away or pitied to modern times, when we emphasize the importance of restoring functioning and providing services, so that those with disabilities can again become active in their homes and communities.
● Because of changes in accessible technologies and the way we think about disabilities and work, employment has become an option for more people with more types of disabilities.
● Veterans of past wars (and family members) have created organizations to serve veterans of current wars. At the same time, people with disabilities have formed organizations and have been able to lobby and protest for better conditions.
● Psychiatric conditions are losing their stigma over time.
● A number of laws have been passed to improve the situation of people with disabilities in this nation.
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Authors:
The book’s editors, Nathan D. Ainspan, Ph.D. and Walter E. Penk, Ph.D.
