Disability policy: cross-cultural analysis and optimal conception search for Russia

Abstract

The goal of the disability policy is a society open and accessible to all.
Globalization of disability policy should not be viewed as an imposition of American or European norms but as more complex process of adaptation, cultural transformation and struggle for equality. Due to constant increase of the numbers of disabled in Russia the development of an adequate model of social policy towards disabled is on agenda in the country. The author analyses two models of disability policy paternalistic (social protection) and innovative (civil rights) and their applicability in Russian social, economic and cultural context. The specific attention is paid to the phenomenon of disability and disability models. Disability is culturally constructed and social produced in modern societies.