Some can argue against, as in many sources, and especially the bible, disabilities are seen as less valuable assets. Firstly, within the bible, there are many references to people with leprosy, and are seen as people which have sinned or are out of Gods favour. As people with disabilities are only ‘copies’ of the able bodied people, they might be linked to less value. In Leviticus 13, Lord talks to Moses and Aaron, and tells them that those who are diagnosed with leprosy are to be announced ‘unclean.’ This suggests that people with disabilities are not as equal as able bodied people.
Nevertheless, within the Bible, Jesus is seen helping the disabled, and even touching them, which is seen as out of normal, due to the reasoning that disabled are cursed by God and should not be contacted, let alone touched. In Matthew 9:1-8, Jesus heals a man who was crippled, 27 a blind man is healed so he can see, Mark 3:1-5 a man with the withered hand was healed and Mark 7 :31-37 a deaf man is cured and is able to hear and speak. Jesus’ interest in helping not only the able bodied , but also the disabled not only suggests that we as human beings are all equal, but also that disabled or not, we are all people of God, who need help in one way or another, and who are able to find help in Gods’ grace.
Nonetheless, there are reasons to believe that disability is a punishment from God as a result from unbelief and ignorance. In Leviticus 26:14-16, as a punishment for Israel’s disobedience, God says that he will spread disease which will drain away life and close your eyes. This suggests that people possess disease and disability such as blindness due to the consequence of disobediences and disloyalty towards God. There are also many sources within the bible that suggest that blindness is a form of punishment, such as in Judges 14-16 or Acts 13, where people which cause sin, are cause to have or obtain blindness. (Prov. 30:17 warns that the eyes, which are disrespectful to parents, will be plucked out by birds of prey.)
Lastly, within the gospels, there is evidence to suggest that disability is equal , if not more equal than others. Firstly, not only we are all made in Gods image, disabled or not, Jesus came and helped the disabled, improving their physical image, suggesting inequality as ‘normal’ people were not ‘tweaked’ or ‘fixed’ in any way. Secondly, in John 9: 2-7, a disciple asks Jesus why was a man born blind, “because he sinned or his parents?” and Jesus replied “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” This suggests that whatever you’re body state, as long as one can find grace and light within the Lord, one will be saved. Lastly, in the parable of the Sheep and Goat, Jesus tells us to care for the poor, feed the hungry, help the disabled (ill), as what we do to others, we do to him. Therefore, this suggests equality within disabled people.
Overall, the Christian belief shows that all human beings are created in Gods image and nevertheless of ones bodily state, disabled or not, all are equal and as valuable.