disability as a mismatch between a person and environment

Disability is often a topic less mentioned in discussions about diversity, equity and inclusion and yet more than 1.3 billion people globally live with disability*.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states disability does not result from a diagnosis or impairment, but when a person encounters inaccessible, inflexible, or insufficient environments, systems and attitudes.

If we look at disability as a mismatch between a person and environment, in that definition everyone at some point of their lives, could relate to this the experience.

 It’s our environments that disable people and the recent research at the Dignity Project, at Griffith University, shows there is no “one-size fits all” approach to recommend when it comes to offering help. In the same time, not offering support can lead to exclusion and increases the barriers people with disability encounter.

It is important though to know the right way to offer help:

1.    Ask if help is needed, don’t assume it is and don’t assume you know the best way

2.   Respect the answer and don’t grow resentful if you hear “no”; there is probably a story to it

3.   Even if you mean well, avoid comments that frame disability or a person’s existence in a negative light, such as “you are so inspiring”, “you’re managing so well despite everything” or “you’re so brave”.

4.   The best way you can help is to act and ensure environments and attitudes over which you have influence are always accessible and inclusive.

Source: Angel Dixon, Elizabeth Kendall, Kelsey Chapman „Disability and dignity – 4 things to think about if you want to ‘help’”