Theme: Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all – Theme designated by the UN.
The UN Enable web site states
“The CRPD (Article 9, accessibility) seeks to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life and development. It calls upon States Parties to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to all aspects of society, on an equal basis with others, as well as to identify and eliminate obstacles and barriers to accessibility…”
“Based on the main theme of IDPD 2012…, sub-themes can be selected to cover all aspects of society and development, including, but not limited to, removing barriers to education, employment, transportation, travel and tourism or sports…”
Actions for the day might include
“Highlight progress and obstacles in creating accessible and inclusive society, including in terms of physical environments, information and communications technology and other areas, as well as promote public awareness of existing barriers to the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in their societies.”
This is a broad theme, providing plenty of scope for action. Start planning now. One thing disability organisations, both “of” and “for” could do to celebrate the day and support the theme might be to make sure their information is accessible.
There is no doubt that there is a lot of it about. Disableism diminishes both the disabled person and the perpetrator. It is a clumsy made up word to describe something particularly unlovely so it is appropriate that it is an ugly word.
Disableism diminishes both the disabled person
- and the perpetrator.
Wikipedia describes “disableism,” or “ableism” as it also calls it as “a form of discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities.” I am not going to describe it any further, in case I descend into what a good friend of mine describes as the “aint it awful” stuff.
Instead I want to identify three (non-violent) weapons which can be used against it.
1. Humour
A light heart and a witty one liner go a long way. It takes a bit of practice but there is plenty of help out there, especially on the Internet. One of my favourite sources of humour is Crippen, disabled UK cartoonist. So much that happens to us is funny, sometimes only in hindsight, admittedly, but developing a robust and “out there” sense of humour can help enormously when the going gets tough. Mocking prejudice can be fun! Disability humour is part of disability culture.
2. Be loud proud and passionate
Being “out” and proud as a disabled person is powerful. And when a bit of action is required there’s nothing like some good old fashioned activism with other like-minded people. There’s safety in numbers and solidarity with other disabled people is personally powerful and takes away the feeling that everything bad is centred on me. Every little thing contributes to change, and taking action is very satisfying, and can be fun. Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs are useful tools. Know your rights, use them and learn from each other’s experience, A man who inspires me was brought up in an institution and began by leading action for better pay in a sheltered workshop. Now he is an international leader and has spoken at the UN.
3. Form strong alliances
Finding others who may not be disabled but who may share similar world views can be rewarding. Supporting each other on issues of mutual interest, forging strong and respectful relationships to create change may be hard work, but the results can really make a difference. Disabled people and the gay community teamed up in the early 90’s to make sure sexual orientation and disability in its widest sense were both included in the New Zealand Human Rights Act. Our hard work paid off and the new Act was inclusive.
Call me Pollyanna, although I prefer a “cock-eyed optimist” as the song says – sorry about the pun, but if we don’t tackle disableism from a glass half full perspective it will just be too overwhelmingly hard.
Natural disasters are always inclusive.
Often the response is not.
It was clear from the Christchurch earthquakes that disability support providers, particularly small local rather than national providers, have the same difficulties as other organisations and businesses when there is a major disaster. Access to premises and records, the availability of staff and so on are among them. People may not have access to their regular assistance. So disaster preparedness for the general population must take account of the needs of disabled people, and not silo them off into a separate process, or simply forget about them.
The other day (April 15th) I was listening to Te Ahi Kaa on Radio New Zealand. The programme described setting up the Wainuiomata marae as a welfare centre. They sounded very well organised.
In thinking about their task I reflected on what they could do to set up a really inclusive welfare centre. Of course they might already have thought of these things, or they might already be on the prescribed comprehensive list.
Some of my top of mind considerations:
Access – Is the building which will house the welfare centre accessible to everyone? Does it meet or exceed NZ Standard for access 4121?
Reception – Do those who will be the first contact at the centre have disability training so they can recognize and welcome all kinds of disabled people?
Interpreters – Will each centre have access to New Zealand Sign Language interpreters, or at least people with some grasp of NZ Sign Language? Accessible information will be critical for a number of disabled and other people.
Accommodations – Will the centre accept and provide water and toileting areas for service dogs?
Know how – Will those staffing the centre know how to interact with a hard of hearing person? Will they be able to guide and orient a blind person, to assist in a way that preserves the dignity of people with physical impairments who need help with feeding and toileting?
Be prepared – Will there be emergency supplies for frail elder and those disabled people who may need incontinence products, drinking straws or particular foods?
Housing – Will those allocating housing and alternative accommodation have some understanding of accessibility?
Of course many disabled people can take some responsibility for preparing for disasters ourselves.
A free two-day symposium on disability-inclusive emergency preparedness and response: learning from the Canterbury earthquakes is being held in Christchurch on May 28 and 29. Lookout for details on our web site www.accease.com.
I love Radio New Zealand. I am a passionate fan of the great programmes they make and play. As a professional journalist I have contributed to several of their programmes over the years, and made an award winning documentary. But the one thing that makes me grit my teeth is the language some broadcasters use around disability. Of course they are no worse than any other media. Everyone does it.
I don’t like to whinge without offering a solution. So here is a little guide, not new I know, and I have written on the subject before in this blog Language disables us but a few simple pointers might be useful and help some people avoid annoying euphemisms such as “differently abled.” This term has never been generally used in New Zealand except by a few US inspired educators who have since learned the error of their ways. We are not freaks with “special” powers. Using such language gets in the way of whatever else you as a journalist or broadcaster are trying to say.
In New Zealand the terms “disabled people” or “people with disabilities” are usually considered accurate and respectful for general use. Either will do. Some people want to be thought of as people first, rather than focusing on disability.
I prefer “disabled people” because it is shorter, easier to type, and reflects my identity. More importantly it explains an understanding that I have a vision impairment. Disability is what happens to me when the society I live in is designed to exclude people who have impairments, not usually intentionally. Some examples for me are the squitchy fonts people use on the essential bits of their business cards, the horrible Wellington bus signage, the paling of the Internet and the thoughtless use of language that diminishes my humanity.
There are a few points for journos and broadcasters who want to avoid the latter.
“Disableist” language is like sexist and racist language and can have the same kind of negative impact on individuals and groups of people.
Do use the terms disabled people or people with disabilities when talking or writing about us.
Do use neutral language. A person has a condition, rather than suffering from it, they may use a wheelchair rather than being confined to it. Negatively loaded terms such as “the disabled” or “handicapped” are not neutral and are generally loathed.
Do talk about a person’s impairment only if it is strictly relevant to the story.
Do use language correctly – Use of the term schizophrenic when you mean you have a dilemma or feel torn about something is wrong. It means something quite different.
Do use disability terminology in the right context, not as a term of abuse or insult.
It is OK to refer to Deaf as Deaf, but culturally and linguistically Deaf are not hard of hearing.
It is absolutely OK to ask if you are not sure, for example, I prefer, if it is necessary, to be referred to as “partially sighted” or “vision impaired” rather than “partially blind.” I am a positive person. Others may have their own preferences.
The language we use about others defines us more than them. It is not about being PC, simply about respecting the dignity of other people.
