disability, ableism, accessibility & inclusion

medical model of disability

perceives disability as an individual problem, restriction, or lack of ability due to a defect in or failure of one’s body

social model of disability

disability is experienced when the social and built environment fails to take account of individual differences by not accommodating individuals’ unique needs to access desired places

disability terminology - medical

• person first language

• e.g. “a person with medical conditions”

disability terminology - social

• emphasizing disabling society

• e.g. “disabled people”

othering

the process of marginalization that occurs when those thought to be different from ourselves due to individual differences are rejected

othering - David example

• own ideals on “sporting” body

  • saw the limp and perceived that he would not fit on the team

• expertism

• lack of experience, awareness and readiness

propositions of the medical model

• reduce ones limitations

• improve body-functioning & functionality in society

• use adaptive knowledge & technologies

• allow a more “normal” life

dangers of the medical model

• unintended social devaluing

• charitable portrayal of people w/ medical conditions

• paternalistic

• inspirational porn

disablism

• discriminatory, oppressive, or abusive behaviour based on the belief that disabled people are inferior

• devaluing, leads to exclusion & social struggles

• can be conscious or unconscious

• assumes disability is negative

ableism

• belief that “normal” abilities and development are superior, devaluing those who do not meet these standards

• contracts disable people as different, inferior, and in need of “fixing”

• leads to exclusion & discrimination

propositions of the social model

• de-pathologizing and de-medicalziing “disability”

• promotes access, equity, social inclusion, community

• works with instead of for

• highlights marginalized group who othered & left behind

dangers of the social model

• individual experiences may be underestimated

• ignores individual differences

• creates power imbalance

• marginalization within disability movements

direct & perception discrimination

harassment, bullying, violence, exclusion, rejection, pitying

indirect & associated discrimination

barriers:

• attitudinal

• organizational or systemic

• architectural

• information or communication

• technological

universal design

encompassing design approach that strive to ensure environments to be usable by the broadest possible spectrum of people, rather than being designed only for specific people with specific needs (e.g., ramps for wheelchair, bike, stroller or all)

physical accessibility

elements in the constructed or built environments (site or building) that allow approach entrance and use of facilities

usability

the opportunities for maximum use of constructed or built environments

universal design principles

1. equitable use

2. flexibility in use

3. simple & intuitive use

4. perceptible information

5. tolerance for error

6. low physical effort

7. size & space for approach & use

medical gaze

• viewing people only though their diagnosis, reducing their experiences to medical terms

• shapes identities around disabilities rather than personal experiences

examples of disabling conditions

• medical conditions

• lack of and/or inappropriate resources

• social/cultural influences

• stereotyping & stigmatization

stereotyping & stigmatization

• social acts based on a widely held, but fixed & over simplified image or idea of a particular type of person

• describing or regarding a persona as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval

diversity of disability experiences - individual life experiences

• support from surroundings

• opportunity for education & choice

• social skills & awareness

• treating like a baby, providing unneeded help, labeling & stereotyping

diversity of disability experiences - life contexts

• natural environment

• socio-environmental contexts

• constitutional contexts

• social contexts

• access to info, resources, programs, facilities, services

diversity of disability experiences - medical conditions, impairments

• disability manifests in many ways

• some issues may not be identifiable (invisible symptoms)

• fluctuations can happen (improve / worsen)

• can have accompanying secondary conditions

• generalization is difficult/impossible

biopsychosocial model of disability

• experienced by interactions amongst diverse personal, medical, constitutional, socio-cultural & socio-environmental factors

• diversity in medical conditions, life experiences & life contexts

• complex and context-specific

disability terminology - biopsychosocial model

• emphasize context-specific nature of disability experience

• emphasize complex nature of disability experience & self-determination

• e.g. “a person who uses wheelchair for mobility”

deaf vs Deaf

• deaf

  • medical model

  • people with medical condition of non-normative levels of hearing (hearing loss)

• Deaf

  • individuals who reject medical understandings of hearing loss

  • conceptualize themselves as part of a cultural & linguistic group with rich traditions

able-bodied

• often refers to people without disabilities

• mental, cognitive, intellectual, social, behavioural aspects

• typically developing, normal, average population

disability vs (dis)ability, disability and ability, dis/ability

people with and without disability vs people with diverse abilities

enlightened ableism

• when explicitly non-ableist philosophies or beliefs are contradicted by the enactment or condoning of ableistic practices

• claims to support disabled people while reinforcing ableist narratives

• advocates for choice and empowerment but often reserves these rights for certain disability groups