The article reviews components and recent discussion of the ‘Social Model of Disability’, with special focus on two books, Disability Rights and Wrongs by Tom Shakespeare, and The Social Model: Europe and the Majority World edited by Colin Barnes and Geof Mercer. The ‘Social Model’ calls for close and sceptical scrutiny, as it has become one of the most influential metanarratives in campaigns and publications of the ‘Disability Movement’, while tending to overlook the complexities experienced by many disabled people and their relatives. Some components of a Social Model appear in historical literature of Asia and the Middle East, lending credibility to its ongoing life as an interesting idea. Yet current anglophone advocacy of the model makes assumptions of universality that are questionable in the socio-economic situations experienced by much of the global population having disabilities. A calmer and better informed discussion of the model’s merits and flaws would contribute to greater understanding of global disability. DOI 10.5463/DCID.v22i1.14

Miles, M. 2007-01. International Strategies for Disability-related Work in Developing Countries: historical, modern and critical reflections. Revised version of a paper first published in the Zeitschrift Behinderung und Dritte Welt, 3/2003, pp. 96-106, and here reproduced with permission. Internet publication URLs: www.independentliving.org/docs7/miles200701.html and www.independentliving.org/docs7/miles200701.pdf

This is a supplement of about 150 items to the earlier bibliography (180 items) published in the Journal of Religion, Disability & Health(2002) vol. 6 (2/3) pp. 149-204. It lists and annotates materials (often in translation, sometimes with commentary) pertinent to disability, deafness and religious belief and practice in the histories and cultural traditions of the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia. Key Words: BibliographydisabilitydeafnessreligionhistorylawethicsEast AsiaSouth AsiaMiddle EastJudaismIslamZoroastrianismHinduismJainismBuddhismConfucianismDaoismChristianity

1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 HISTORICAL SKETCH 2.1 Slowly Developing Observations and Services 2.2 Early ‘Third Ventriculostomy’ 2.3 Ethics & Survival 2.4 Recent Neurosurgery 2.5 Parents’ Voices and Issues of Access 3.0 CULTURAL AND FAMILY RESOURCES 3.1 Recognising Indigenous Knowledge 3.2 Spectrum of Religious Resources 3.3 Families Coping at Home and in the Community 3.4 Wide Variation in Different Circumstances 3.5 Muted Voices; Mutual Support 4.0 COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION? 4.1 Critical Thoughts on CBR 5.0 SHARP-EDGED COMPARISONS 6.0 CONCLUSIONS 7.0 NOTES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES

As Alexander reached Persepolis in January 330 BC, he encountered a large group of newly released Greek captives who had been severely mutilated during Persian enslavement. Alexander agreed to aid their resettlement. The men debated whether to return to Greece with money in hand and disperse to their old families, who might be shocked by their appearance, or to stay as a mutually supportive group and receive benefits in Persia with their local partners. Detailed review is made of the historicity of this story recorded by Quintus Curtius, Diodorus Siculus andJustin. Evidence is presented of groupings of disabled people in Middle Eastern antiquity, the transmission of stories about Alexander, textual and linguistic analysis, social responses to severe disability, and truth or exaggeration of war atrocities or gross physical abuse from antiquity and modern times.

Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem appears feasible in South Asia in the present decade through multi-drug therapy, but management of disability in cured leprosy patients will continue through the 21st century, probably with some ongoing stigma. This paper provides new perspectives on leprosy-related disabilities by reviewing the historical careers of four disabling conditions sharing some features with leprosy: lathyrism, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), cataract and poliomyelitis. All are targeted for eradication or serious reduction using affordable surgery or preventive measures, yet they have proved unexpectedly resilient. Technical solutions alone bring only partial success. There is a need also for community-based delivery methods, individual and family self-help, and some redeployment of professional expertise.

This brief paper reflects on a camp at 8000 feet in the Himalayas, where children with learning difficulties and multiple disabilities could learn more than expected, and staff from many backgrounds gained new perspectives on social barriers.

The paper discusses some historical and current attitudes and practical responses by adherents of the major religions and philosophies toward disabled people. The idea that no formal care was offered to disabled people before the early spread of Christianity or the 19th century Christian missions is historically mistaken. Some implications for development are discussed.

The paper reviews some significant moments or texts relating to disability in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, as they might impinge on the work of counsellors or community-based therapists in a modern city. Some scientific and philosophical positions are also reviewed.

Sultan Tughril Beg once wished to appoint to the vizierate some Khurasani savant and selected the Sage of Fáráb, who had a beard down to his navel, very long and broad. This man therefore was summoned and the Sultan’s message was delivered to him, as follows: “We have nominated you to be vizier to us and you will take control of our affairs, seeing that we know of nobody more fitted to the charge than yourself”. The sage replied, “Say to our lord the Sultan, ‘May you live a thousand years! The vizierate is an office in which many qualities are useful. Of all these qualities your servant possesses none but a beard. Let not my lord be misled by the beard, and let him bestow this function upon someone else’ ”. (Kai Kaus, The Qabus Nama, transl. R. Levy, 1951, London: Cresset, p. 224)

These two radio ‘interviews’ depict a blind young man talking of his life in an Afghan village and later in town, and how he learnt something about the world, and gained skills to earn his living. They have been slightly revised and updated.

Hydrocephalus and spina bifida are life-threatening conditions that often result in severe disabilities. Risks are much reduced by immediate surgery and careful management, but neither has been available for most of the sub-Saharan African population. This paper traces the growth of solutions and some socio-cultural resources that historically have supported family and community care for children with severe disabilities, mainly in Tanzania, and nearby Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Some community-based rehabilitation (CBR) work with children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus is described, and challenges to the CBR approach are noted from the increased survival of people with disabilities requiring complex care. More appropriate information, recognition of indigenous knowledge, enlistment of community resources and financial assistance are needed to enhance the lives of East Africans with hydrocephalus, spina bifida and other severely disabling conditions.

The paper reviews brief texts in the Qur'an and hadiths, the Hedaya of al-Marghinani, and some historical Arab education literature, that have pertinence to people with disabilities. The selection intends to be informative rather than definitive.

Abstract This editorial paper gives a broad overview of social responses to people with disabilities in South Asia from about 500 BC to 2000 CE, and suggests that such a heritage can be the foundation for developing more appropriate services and responses in the next millennium.