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So what’s the issue about disability?
by Martyn Sibley
At work I often deliver training on the issues faced by disabled people and I find there are many who do not see why there are issues for disabled people.
When I explain why, they then ask why others are not doing more. Here, I want to explain this ‘issue’ for anyone else who just hasn’t had the bigger picture explained to them.
For me, I didn’t really see an ‘issue’ either when growing up. Sure I worried about leaving my primary school mates to go to the only accessible secondary school 20 miles away. Sure my wheelchair broke down and it distressed me being stuck. Sure I worried if girls would accept my disability in relationships. But the point is, it was my life, not a ‘disability issue’.
Going to university and then moving into my London flat with a full time job created many complications, but it was delivering a training session at Scope – (http://www.scope.org.uk) that changed my thoughts:
1) I realised others may have had less family support, less inclusion with friends and less financial security than maybe I had in my upbringing.
2) Also the problems I encountered were not fair. Even though I have overcome them, many of them are just unnecessary in a developed country like the UK.
Having accepted there are bigger issues and harnessing this with my studies in economics, marketing and politics, things begin to click –
I have an impairment called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – (http://www.jtsma.org.uk gives info on SMA and I am a trustee of this charity). In essence SMA means my brain sends messages but the damaged cell at the top of my spine blocks them getting to the muscles. This is purely genetic and has no cure. Therefore I have full feeling but weak muscles from limited stimulation and development.
Disability is not about tokenism, sympathy or helping. The social model explains this perfectly. Despite having SMA I am not disabled by this. If there are steps into a building I am disabled, however if there is a ramp or lift I am not disabled. The same with attitudes, if someone assumes I am less intelligent or cannot talk I am disabled, however if they meet me on merit I am not disabled.
So what is the issue? 1 in 3 disabled people have not been able to access public services due to physical or attitudinal barriers. Disabled people are also less likely to gain employment resulting from; lesser qualifications with access to schools, lesser social skills from social inclusion and discrimination from employers. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA, 1995;2005) should stop this, but with the legal costs liable to the individual very few cases have been brought to court and hence standards are still low without a real threat to those who breach it (http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies explains more academically many disability issues).
I maintain a balance on the social model. It is very liberating to see the problem coming from elsewhere but in getting angry and assuming society will now change leads to frustration. Society does need more access and people do need to consider disability more consciously, but as a uniform movement. It will take time, and money is a consideration but it’s about society even knowing there is an issue first.
The reason others do not see this as a problem comes from history (I will have a guest blog on the history of disability activism next month). Briefly it is safe to say many moons ago I could not have gone to uni, travelled to Australia and lived independently (earning and choosing how to live from support of PA’s) in London. Therefore disability is inherently invisible. Care homes in rural mansions and so on meant disabled people were just not seen.
This does not mean all disabled people have fewer qualifications and do not work. Hopefully I’m a testament to that. What I’d like to say here is that my experience is that whinging would’ve got me nowhere. The drive from my parents and love from friends has made me aspire to grab my dreams.
My final comment is on the cost of disabled people. Yes my care costs money, but it would also cost in a care home in the countryside. In enabling me to live as I choose and go to work, I am paying taxes and contributing to the economy. This is one of many examples when short term investment in disability leads to long term gain for everyone.
So the answers lie here:
1) People need to be told about the problems faced by disabled people
2) Human nature will undoubtedly result with compassion to improve things
3) Disabled people also need to be motivated to get out there and achieve for themselves
4) With efficient economic and political policies; buildings can have access, peoples attitudes will change and employment will be on an even playing field – at no detriment to the economy or individual people
5) The DDA being more enforceable would be policy number 1!
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