Rethinking disability in Amartya Sens approach: ICT and equality of opportunity
This article presents an analysis of the concept of disability in Amartya Sens capabilities and functionings approach in the context of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Following a critical review of the concept of disabilityfrom its traditional interpretation as an essentially medical concept to its later interpretation as a socially constructed categorywe will introduce the concept of functional diversity. The importance of human diversity in the capabilities and functionings approach calls for incorporating this concept into the analysis of well-being and quality of life in persons with disabilityaspects in which ICT currently plays a major role. When one contemplates these technologies, it becomes clear that factors such as accessibility, design for all, and user participation in development and implementation processes are key strategies in promoting equal rights and equal opportunity for persons with disability in the different environments of the information society.
disability amartya sen ict functional diversity accessibility design for all convention on the rights of persons with disabilities medical model social model