User:MTshepherdess/sandbox/accessibility

History
In ancient Greek and Roman times infants and children with disabilities were commonly killed or abandoned, for eugenic or economic reasons. Historically, many cultures viewed disability as a punishment or evidence of possession by evil spirits, although there were some cultures in which a person with disabilities was revered or considered to be specially blessed or have prophetic abilities. While there were times of humane treatment noted in the Middle Ages, there was not yet a science of medicine. Care during this time was primarily of a spiritual nature and still very isolating for people with disabilities, as they were typically collected into sanitariums and monasteries. While priests and monks sought to heal with prayers and exorcisms, later in the Middle Ages this care had devolved into methods of torture and starvation to rid a person of evil spirits. In the early Renaissance period there was a regained interest in the study of disease causality as a result of the physical world, rather than the supernatural. This led to efforts of rehabilitation and more humane treatment. However, these were not sustained. Historically there have always been repeating patterns of inhumane treatment, with notable very dark chapters like the eugenics movement Thankfully, in modern times there is much greater understanding of the clinical medical aspects of disability and disease causality. With the conclusion of two world wars, many veterans came home injured and communities began to develop accommodations for these acquired disabilities. The civil rights movement also provided impetus for social change in attitude towards those with disabilities. This powered the Disability Rights Movement of our common era. Crucial advocacy and legislation has made it possible for people with disabilities to lead successful, integrated lives within their communities and to interact in the global marketplace of ideas and commerce. One exciting example of this is online mentoring communities.