autistic communities , who have welcomed folks with other marginalized brain / bodyminds to use them , including but not limited to people with cognitive , brain injury , epilepsy , learning and mental health disabilities .”
ABLEISM advances the belief that “ typical ” abilities are normal and superior . Ableism assumes disabled people need to be fixed and an ableist attitude defines people as lesser while including harmful stereotypes about disabilities . Ableism often leads to discriminatory beliefs , attitudes and actions often resulting in segregationist and exclusionary measures .
THE MEDICAL MODEL OF DISABILITY says people are disabled by their impairments or differences . Under the medical model , impairment is equated with being broken and in need of a fix . Even when the impairment or difference does not cause pain or illness , the individual is considered lesser . The medical model lens
can lead to stigma and may be considered a prelude to ableism .
THE SOCIAL MODEL OF DISABILITY : Created by disabled people , the social model argues humans naturally come in a variety of bodyminds , which are changed and shaped by our environment . Disability is part of the human experience . The social model argues that nothing is wrong with the disabled bodymind but that inaccessible structures , systems and attitudes of society are the issue that need fixing . The social model sets the foundation for equitable approaches for inclusion .
WHEELCHAIR USER / RIDER : Those who use a wheelchair .
Educators , scholars , and allies must demand disabilityappropriate terminology and representation in all K-12 schools .
This article was originally published in The Conversation . Read the original article here .
It is important to remember disability is not synonymous with notions of lacking , charity or pity . Nor do disabled people need to be fixed through interventions . Rather , disability is part of the human experience .
~ Michael Baker
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