Social Model of Disability
Social Model of Disability
ASBAH has begun compiling a statement which will be at the heart of its drive to dismantle the barriers faced by disabled people.
A draft of The Social Model of Disability - which proposes society looks at disability in a whole new way - was presented by the Your Voice User Group at a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The Social Model, which has already been adopted by many organisations worldwide, aims to encourage society to be truly inclusive by changing attitudes and removing physical barriers which prevent diabled people living their lives to the full.
It sees disability from the viewpoint that while an individual may have an impairment, the degree to which this is disabling depends on the man-made barriers and restraints placed upon that person.
For example, a wheelchair user may be capable of doping a certain job - but if the office where the job is based is on the first floor, with no lift, then the person is disabled because of the lack of a lift rather than the wheelchair.
This Social Model completely overturns the traditional view of disability, namely the Medical Model. This sees the disability as being in the individual and is caused by the impairments.
ASBAH was approached by the Disabled Users Advisory Committee to create its own statement and promote it through its work.
Paul Zickel from ASBAH's Your Voice user group, is a key figure behind the draft document. He told Link : "ASBAH has always viewed disability through the Social Model, rather than the traditional medical viewpoint. But its beliefs have never been formalised. This is something we are working towards, although we have many groups to consult with before the final document can be agreed."
Paul explained that ASBAH feels it is vital to produce its own version of the Social Model in the light of a report published in January by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, which looked into improving the life chances of disabled people.
The report, published in January, sets out an ambitious vision for improving the chances of disabled people. Its aim is that by 2025 disabled people will have full opportunities and choices to improve their quality of life and be respected and included as equal members of society.
The report concluded, that although up to one in five British people are disabled, they are still experiencing disadvantage and discrimination. Barriers in the shape of attitudes, the design of buildings and policies.
Paul added: "The great objective of our society is to be truly inclusive, to give every citizen a decent life and productive role to play. The loss of
one person's contribution is a loss to society as a whole, yet the overwhelming experience of those with disabilities is that of exclusion and marginalisation.
"The government figures say that one in five of us are disabled, and if adjustments aren't made to include these people, then it will be a heavy financial burden on the taxpayer.
"Many of these people are capable of gaining employment and contributing to society through paying tax and national insurance. Yet because of the barriers they face, are forced to live on benefits."
The draft document has been considered by ASBAH's trustees and will be presented to a wide cross-section of people involved with ASBAH, from advisers and other staff to parents and local associations.
Paul said: "Your Voice prepared the Social Model as a discussion document, a starting point from which many other groups will be consulted. Many people - especially parents of young children with an impairment will probably never have thought of disability this way. They will have only seen it though the medical viewpoint. It will be very interesting to hear everyone else's views."
The full document, The Social Model of Disability, can be viewed here.
Further information about the government's Strategy Unit report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, can be found at http://www.strategy.gov.uk/work_areas/disability/index.asp