At Resilience To Recovery, one of the struggles that we encounter as a service provider is the lack of understanding around what disability is and what it looks like. For many, disability looks like someone who has a very clear and obvious limitation such as a severe limp that requires a walking aid, an amputation, visibility blind or a wheelchair bound person. However, disability is far more complex and comprehensive than this limited view, which is also full of misconceptions and stereotypes in the first place.
“Don’t judge a disability by its visibility.”
The outdated modes of thinking about disability involved seeing a person’s disability as a condition that could be addressed medically or controlled, treated or cured through medication or medical intervention.
However, thanks to advocates and the work of disabled individuals speaking up, we are seeing a fundamental shift in the way that disabilities are seen and understood. The new approach involves seeing the capacity or ability of an individual to effectively interact with their environment. Can they effectively and independently perform certain functions such as keeping themselves away from harm and remaining safe, being able to feed and clean oneself, being able to perform day to day tasks required on a daily basis, go to work and so on.
Therefore, disability emerges from people’s capacity to effectively interact with their environment and surroundings. If someone is in a wheelchair, can they safely and independently access public spaces such as hospitals, subways, parkways and local shops. Other barriers may also exist including social values and attitudes for instance, or even in modern times, digital barriers that would prevent an individual from being able to access information, services or support.
“A lot of disabilities are invisible, your reaction to them isn’t.”
The new approach to disability entails the idea that disabilities can become worsened or amplified as a result of environmental barriers. Consequently, the aim of government organizations, laws and institutions, as well as service providers is to remove barriers “implementing adjustments that provide an equitable experience for people with disability.”
Currently there are two key definitions of disability provided first by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which can be located and read here, and the Australian legal definition developed by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which can be accessed here. The United Nations definition is provided at length here:
The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the
full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all
persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental,
intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers
may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis
with others.
The DDA definition involves individuals “who have temporary and permanent disabilities; physical, intellectual, sensory,
neurological, learning and psychosocial disabilities, diseases or illnesses, physical disfigurement, medical conditions, and work-related injuries.” More importantly, it goes further to extend to “disabilities that people have had in the past and potential future disabilities, as well as disabilities that people are assumed to have.” Having misconceptions about disabilities and demonstrating a lack of empathy towards disabled people continues to affect the lives of many disabled people, who still remain on the margins of society. Being aware that disabilities come in many shapes and forms, including invisible and visible types, being aware of the official definitions and the scope they involve help us, as a society as well as disability Service providers, to better support and accommodate disabled individuals.
Finally, in the words of Theo W. Braddy, a paraplegic who is also the executive director of The National Council on Independent Living: “Ableist ideas and beliefs affect people with disabilities in all aspects of life, including employment, healthcare, education, housing, transportation, etc. These ideas and beliefs create systems that discriminate and oppress people with disabilities.” For this reason it is important that we approach discussions around disability and disability rights from a place of empathy, self awareness, education and inclusion. These are the ideals that we aim to implement and use across the multitude of services that we provide at Resilience To Recovery.
