Socially Constructed Freaks

According to Bogdan, freaks shows were one of the first ways that individuals with disabilities were dehumanized and misrepresented. Then in the early part of the twentieth century, people with disabilities were thought to be dangerous and a threat to society, resulting in pity. Why does Bogdan compare the two images? And what steps, if any has society taken in removing the "pity" factor when it comes to the disabled?