Disability awareness pt version

Land Transport / P Thomas / 2010 1

Disability Awareness



• Aims and objectives to the course• Qualification structure• Assessment methods• Where you can find support materials



• Aim – To develop underpinning knowledge of disability

awareness.• Objectives– To gain knowledge and understanding in;

• The meaning of disability and impairment• Attitudes and barriers faced by disabled people• Disability as a rights issue• Disability as a socio – economic issue• The language of disability• How to put the social model into place



The Structure• Awarding body is Education Development

International (E.D.I.)• The qualification is a level 1 suitable for all

sectors and age groups• Comprises of 1 unit • Is nationally accredited through E.D.I.



Delivery• A flexible approach– Workshop sessions– Workbook with activities– Online

• A final test– Multiple choice (15 question)– Online or paper based



Delivery• The materials are designed to prepare you for the

final paper.• You will be informed of when your test is scheduled • Final test is 15 multiple choice questions• Pass mark is approx 60%



introduction


Topics for Today

• The law• What is and who are disabled people?• Language and disability• The medical model of disability• The social model of disability• The language of disability• Discrimination


The Key Acts

• Key Acts....– Disability Discrimination Act– Equality Act 2006– Human Rights Act– U.N. Convention


The Key Acts

Disability Discrimination Act• Came into force in 1995, updated in 2005 and

is built on civil rights legislation. Gives disabled people rights in the areas of:– Employment– Education– Access to goods and services– Buying and renting land or property and the right

to request suitable adaption's.

11Land Transport / P Thomas / 2010

What is Disability?

• A physical or mental condition that can limit a persons movement, senses or activities.

• Can be categorised as:– Physical impairment– Sensory impairment– Learning disability– Long term mental illness


What is Disability?

• Physical impairment– Wheelchair user,

• Sensory impairment– Hearing, Vision.

• Learning disability– Dyslexia, Dyspraxia

• Long term mental illness– Depression, Dementia


What is Disability?

The definition covers a wide range of people including:

• Long term health conditions such as diabetes

• Progressive conditions such as multiple sclerosis

• People who have been diagnosed with conditions such as HIV, cancer, or other serious conditions.


What is Disability?

Not all disabilities are obvious, these are called hidden disabilities. People with these impairments are still covered and protected by the Disability Discrimination Act.These could include:– Heart condition– Diabetes– Arthritus– Learning difficulties


What is Disability?

You may also come across people who do not consider themselves to have a disability, but have a condition such as diabetes or heart problems that they consider to be part of the ageing process.


Normal day to day activities

What are normal day to day activities?– Mobility– Manual dexterity– Continence– Ability to lift and carry

everyday objects– Speech, sight hearing– Ability to concentrate or learn– Be able to determine risk or

danger


Models of Disability

Medical model

• You cannot make decisions about your life

• You are the problem• You are the sufferer• You can never be equal to a

non-disabled person

Social Model

• Everyone is equal• Society put the barriers in

place• Society prevents and

restricts opportunities

Two models of disability they are:


Social Model of Disability

• The social model starts from a different perspective, it ignores how bad a persons impairment is

• It establishes that everyone is equal and demonstrates that it is society that puts the barriers in place that restrict opportunities

• It looks beyond a persons impairment and then at all the factors that effect their ability to participate fully in society.


Social Model of Disability

So according to the social model....

• Disability is a rights issue

• Disability is an economic issue


Language of the Social Model

We need to think about what we are saying...

• What is wrong with you?• Can you tell me what your impairment is?• Is there anything I can do to assist you?

RememberPeople are not defined by the impairment any more than they are defined by their race, or sexuality. It is part of them, but not the whole of them....



• People do not have a disability, they have an impairment.

• Impaired people are disable by our actions and inactions

• Our language must reflect an understanding of the issues an individual faces– Not wheelchair bound but wheelchair user– Not mad but has mental health issues



To clarify....

• Impairment– Condition illness or label

• Disability – Is about the barriers and discrimination


Discrimination

• Two main types of discrimination– Direct discrimination• When you are treated less favourably simply because

of a condition eg you have an impairment.

– Indirect discrimination• Where there are rules or conditions which apply to

everyone but affect one group of people more than others without good reason.


What would you change?

• Think about our attitudes, how we are speaking and acting.

• Understand the wider context, not just the ramps and visual indicators.

• Be aware of our actions• Treat as equals


Any questions?