In what sense can one say that 'disability' is as much a social as a physical thing?
Disability is as much a social as a physical thing because society plays a crucial role in rendering people disabled, beyond their biological impairments.
The disabled are rendered disabled not because they are biologically disabled but because society renders them so. The disablement lies in the construction of society, not in the physical condition of the individual. For instance, buildings that are not designed to admit disabled people lead to a range of further disablements regarding education, employment, and social lives.
The social construction of disability has another dimension — the close relationship between disability and poverty. Malnutrition, mothers weakened by frequent childbirth, inadequate immunisation programmes, and accidents in overcrowded homes all contribute to a higher incidence of disability among poor people. This shows how social conditions create disability.
The differently abled are disabled not only because they are physically or mentally impaired, but also because society is built in a manner that does not cater to their needs. The rights of the disabled have been recognised only very recently compared to struggles over Dalit, adivasi or women's rights. Scholar Anita Ghai compares this invisibility of the disabled to the 'Invisible Man', highlighting how society ignores them.
Thus, disability is not merely a biological condition but a socially created disadvantage.
Explanation
This answer addresses the question by explaining how disability extends beyond physical impairment to include social dimensions. The context clearly states that 'the disabled are rendered disabled not because they are biologically disabled but because society renders them so.' Key points covered include: (1) societal barriers like inaccessible buildings, (2) the poverty-disability relationship, (3) society's failure to cater to disabled needs, and (4) the recent recognition of disabled rights. The answer uses Anita Ghai's reference to the 'Invisible Man' to illustrate social invisibility. All points are drawn directly from the provided textbook context.