Forget what you think you know about disability | ABC News

Key Concepts

Medical Model of Disability, Social Model of Disability, Accessibility, Inclusion, Disability Standards, Built Environment, Attitudes towards Disability, Discrimination.

Disability: Medical vs. Social Model

The video explores two contrasting perspectives on disability: the medical model and the social model.

Medical Model: This model views disability as stemming from an individual's impairment or medical condition. The focus is on "fixing" the individual to fit into society. The video uses the example of Nick Parsons' blindness, where the medical model would attribute his difficulties to his inability to see. Professor Anne Kavanaaugh argues that society has overmedicalized disability, leading to the perception that people with disabilities are "lesser" and need to be "fixed." This model often frames disability as a "tragedy."

Social Model: This model posits that people are disabled not by their impairments but by the barriers created by society. These barriers can be physical (e.g., lack of ramps), attitudinal (e.g., discrimination), or systemic (e.g., inaccessible technology). Nick Parsons' experience with incompatible screen reader software at his government job exemplifies this. The social model emphasizes societal responsibility in creating an inclusive environment.

Nick Parsons: A Case Study

Nick Parsons, a blind lawyer, provides a real-world example of the limitations imposed by inaccessible systems.

• Inaccessible Technology: At a government department, Nick's screen reader was incompatible with the computer systems, hindering his ability to file critical legal documents. This forced him to rely on others, impacting his independence and professional capabilities. He specifically mentions the urgency of filing applications to set aside statutory demands within a strict 21-day deadline, highlighting the potential consequences of system incompatibility.
• Coding Solution: Nick's initial response was to learn to code and create an accessible file system for a smaller firm. While effective, he later reflected that his time was better spent on legal work rather than constantly fixing accessibility issues.
• Perspective: Nick's experience highlights the social model of disability, where the lack of accessible systems, rather than his blindness itself, created the barrier.

Jeremy Muer: Accessibility in the Built Environment

Jeremy Muer, a wheelchair user and CEO of Physical Disability Australia, illustrates the impact of the built environment on accessibility and independence.

• Home Modifications: Jeremy's home is equipped with modifications like a lift, enabling him to live independently.
• Non-Compliant Infrastructure: Just outside his home, Jeremy encounters non-compliant curb cuts that are difficult or impossible to navigate in his manual wheelchair. He describes having to go onto the road to bypass these obstacles.
• Workplace Inaccessibility: Ironically, as a disability advisor, Jeremy's team was moved to an inaccessible building, requiring him to use a separate building to access the toilet. This created a sense of exclusion.
• Progress and Ongoing Challenges: Jeremy acknowledges improvements in accessibility over the past 20 years, such as accessible train stations and parking. However, he emphasizes the need for continued willingness, positive attitudes, government funding, policy, and disability standards to ensure further progress.

Arguments and Perspectives

• Overmedicalization of Disability: Professor Anne Kavanaaugh argues that society's overreliance on the medical model leads to the perception of people with disabilities as needing to be "fixed" and as inherently "lesser."
• Limitations of the Social Model: While the social model is valuable, the video acknowledges that it doesn't negate the lived experience of disability.
• Call for Societal Responsibility: People with disabilities are increasingly advocating for society to take responsibility for creating inclusive environments rather than expecting individuals to adapt.
• Disability as Part of the Human Condition: The video concludes by advocating for disability to be viewed as a natural part of the human experience, not a tragedy or a superpower.

Conclusion

The video effectively contrasts the medical and social models of disability, using real-life examples to illustrate how societal barriers can disable individuals more than their impairments. It emphasizes the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and a shift in perspective towards viewing disability as a natural part of the human condition. The call to action is for society to take greater responsibility in creating inclusive environments through policy, funding, and attitudinal changes.