ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ethical assumptions underpinning the standard approach across most of the western world to separating or segmenting ageing policy from disability policy. In doing so, it queries whether such segmentation is necessary or desirable. Disability is an interaction between impairments and the overall physical, attitudinal, and social environment that results in a reduction in the performance of activities and social roles. Ageing is a process of accumulating limitations in functional ability as a consequence of declining intrinsic capacity in interaction with the physical, attitudinal, and social environment. Given such similarities, this chapter argues that the distinct categories of ageing and disability should be downplayed or ignored in policy development and replaced by a focus on the similar, underlying factor that limit engagement of each group. Such a fundamental paradigm shift in thinking about ageing and disability policy could result in more rational, efficient, and non-stigmatising policy making.
