Disability Equality; Let's talk about it

The human race known for its diversity; after all we are all different from skin colours to height to weight to gender to physical ability. There is always talk about allowing everyone to have equality but the truth is it never really happens. Think about the times you may have walked past someone who was having difficulty getting into a building and you turned a blind eye thinking 'someone else will help' or a time you have heard a child screaming in a supermarket and before you even see what happened you judge them on their behaviour or the parents abilities.

As a youth worker the idea of disability equality is one i discuss regularly. As part of my job i work both with children, teenagers and adults who have learning disabilities or learning difficulties and i always encourage equality. There have been many times where members of the public have passed comments on the children whilst they are there without really thinking about what they are saying and how it could hurt someones feelings. One topic that needs discussing more in society is disability equality.

What does the term 'Disability Equality' mean to you?

I'm sure you have probably come up with the following key words.... equal chances, equal roles, acceptance and fairness. All of these are very right indeed. When you work in the health field there are two main heading that disability can come under; both of which focus on how disabilities are looked at.

'Social Model Of Disability' VS 'Medical Model Of Disability'

Now the question is what is the difference between the who if there is a difference at all. these terms tend to be glazed over and not really talked about much but there is a distinct difference.

The 'medical model of disability' looks as the individual with the learning difficulty or disability as 'the problem'. It focuses on finding out what causes the disability and what impairment it causes. It gives the individual the reasons why they may have a disability and how it is a problem. When in reality although a disability may hold someone back in some senses it is NOT a problem; despite this being a common view in society.

What the medical model says to a disabled person

The 'social model of disability' is a much more positive view it focuses on the barriers that are caused by society not by the disability; such as buildings not having access ramps for those with mobility issues. The social model also chooses to look at peoples attitudes and how they can prevent things moving forward; prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination. The social model aims to remove these 'social barriers' so everyone can be treated as an equal.

What the social model says to a disabled person

Many organisations and businesses aim to work to the social model to help their service users live a life full of variety and equal opportunities.

Images of disability

It has only been in the last 40/50 years that disabilities have been seen to the public eye, often before that time people who were seen to be different were locked away from society; to stop the fear of the unknown. Sadly some of this still goes on today with some views people in society have. Parents are a key example; children are always learning and like to ask questions. I was sat on a bus last week and a child saw a lady in a wheelchair and the child walked over to ask her why she was in her chair. His mums promptly grabbed him and said 'you can't ask that to a disabled person it offensive'. The lady in the wheelchair promptly said that she didn't mind him asking and she told him exactly why she needed a chair.

There is still this fear in society that its a topic that can't be discussed without causing offense when in fact many people are very open and are happy to talk and let other learn. Images and identity in society are created by beliefs, values, myths, assumptions and stereotypical views. And sadly our culture and society is full of images that keep ancient fears and prejudices that surround impairments alive. This is even the case in the media, here are a few questions to think about.

• Where do we see disabled people in the media? In television fiction, 1 in 3 disabled characters are dead by the end of the programme and in half the cases the fatalities are violent.
• What messages about disabled people do you get?
• Where are these attitudes/stereotypes from?
• How much do you think negative attitudes towards disabled people are generated by media coverage.

One example of this is the Cbeebies presenter 'Cerrie Burnell' who was born with only one hand. Cerrie was the first presenter on Cbeebies with a physical disability that is visible to the audience watching the channel at home. The BBC received nine formal complaints and lots of blogged complaints about how the presenter was scaring toddlers and stopping them from sleeping. But my question to the parents who complained is; did you explain to you child exactly why she only on has one hand. People are scared to talk about disabilities and it causes negative images that will stick in the child's mind. When i first saw Cerrie on Cbeebies i was over the moon that finally the BBC have introduced this topic to children at an early age. Although there was a huge uproar by parents and many were asking the question 'how do i explain to my child'. Cerrie Burnell brushed all the negative comments off and did an interview with The Guardian newspaper ( http://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/feb/21/tv-presenter-cerrie-burnell) about how she didn't let the negative comments affect her and that she didn't care if they were offended. In the article she speaks about how children would often ask why she had no hand as soon as they knew they just wanted to talk about other things like a TV character Iggle Piggle.

However this was not the first time it was seen on the BBC childrens TV channels. When i was in primary school  used to watch a TV show 'Xchange' on CBBC one of the presenters was a wheelchair user called 'Ade Adepitan'. My mum had always encouraged me to ask questions and treat people as equals so i thought nothing off it; i made no judgments and personally thought he was one of the best presenters. Ade uses a wheelchair after contracting polio and him losing function in his left leg. He is an amazing wheelchair basketball player who has inspired many young people to try this as a sport; he is very open about why he uses his chair and doesn't let it limit what he does. He has carried the Olympic torch, competed in wheelchair basketball, been an icon for sports relief, helped children with disabilities realize what they can actually do and they shouldn't let their disability hold them back. This is inspirational and what children should be seeing on TV; this will change the prejudice that is still held in society.

Changing attitudes through language

Language is used by all of us everyday to talk communicate our views, opinions and desires. Over the years the way we talk about those who are seem to have a learning disability or learning difficulty. There always seems to be debates in parliament in terms of what language should and should't be used and what is deemed to be 'politically correct'. There is this idea that there should be acceptable language. Acceptable language doesn't mean 'sounds nicer' or 'politically correct'.

"Acceptable language are those terms which disabled people have chosen themselves in the process of self definition and which are situated within the social model; locating the focus on the disability squarely upon society as a whole."

As the language that is deemed to be acceptable to use is always changing it can be hard to know whether what you are saying is correct or going to cause offense. Here are a list of some terms to avoid and what should be used instead. I myself hate even writing the terms not to use but i feel people need to know.

• Able bodied- The term 'non-disabled' should be used instead.
• Wheelchair bound/confined- The term 'wheelchair user' should be used instead.
• Mentally handicapped- The term 'learning disabled/difficulties' should be used instead.
• The blind- The term 'visually impaired person' should be used instead.
• The deaf- The term 'deaf people' should be used instead.
• Crippled by arthritis- The term 'has arthritis' should be used instead.

What can you do to help?

There are three main things you can do to help change attitudes in society about those with a disability;

Encourage: If you have children answer any questions and encourage them that difference is good and we should all be treated as equals.

Learn: Learn about changes and progression in society for those with disabilities.

Respect: Respect everyone the same and encourage other people to do so too. We are all human after all.

And most importantly spread the word! Change will only happen if people encourage it!

Positive Articles To Read

• Cerrie Burnell performs a play for the Edinburgh Fringe based on her childhood and challenging views on disabilities (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23534381)
• Cerrie Burnell 'some attitudes are based on fear' (http://metro.co.uk/2013/06/11/cbeebies-presenter-cerrie-burnell-some-attitudes-to-disability-are-based-on-fear-3835565/)
• Changing the name of a disabled toilet to 'accessible toilet' to change views on how it should be used (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessible_toilet)
• Church congratulated on improving the image in the media of people with disabilities (http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-recognized-for-positive-portrayals-of-members-with-disabilities)