Why is UK Disability History Month important?

Jack_W · November 2016

Hello folks!

As you might notice, I'm new to the community here, so hoping I can get the hang of all that goes on here (and maybe give me some tips along the way!) Some of you may recognise me from my profile photo as part of the first cohort of the Scope for Change course this year.

As I'm sure a good number of you are aware, Tuesday kicked off this year's UK Disability History Month, with a particular focus on the language that we define ourselves and how others around us perceive our identities.

Language

Before I consider why the principle of Disability History Month is important to us, looking at the theme of language as an autistic individual, I am often on the receiving end of my condition still being seen as an 'illness' or as a deficit which in itself acts as a barrier to what I want to do in life. The mainstream media are sadly one example which they use this language to the effect it almost indirectly subscribes to a 'cure theory' and that how my brain is wired is a problem that needs to be solved by neurotypicals who are blind to the facts. While I think that we can sometimes get bogged down in language that I think might annoy some, it can distract us from the real problems, like false media representation. I very much support the rationale behind this theme!

Why have Disability History Month?

Now, while there is always scepticism around having dedicated months to what some might call 'identity politics', the fight for equality for disabled people is far from over. Whether it be the increase in hate crime, which has been recorded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, how children are acquiring language or behaviour which can lead to ableist bullying or the gaps in employment (just 16% of autistic adults in full-time work!), we all have a role that help brings a spotlight to these very real problems and to always make ourselves heard loud and clear when we feel injustice.

It is also a time to reflect back on how far we have come and to the campaigns of the past that can inspire the future generation of disabled activists, like all of us who have been part of Scope for Change! So, rather than question why just have a certain month of the year, where we should always be seeking to make progress all year round, DHM is a valuable time to take stock and while remembering what has been achieved, it's also about looking forward to the future...

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Jack

Chris_Alumni · November 2016

Thanks for posting Jack, interesting to hear your thoughts on this! I think that DHM is important because it is such an overlooked area of history, and by focusing on it now perhaps things will change in future, even if it's just individual perceptions at first.

3_SAMagnify1 · December 2016

Absolsolutly Jack. I have the same problem with those do not think I am I alright because to the untrained
eye ,I don't look as if I have disabilities/disabling conditions always be "cured" is implies it the person who must get by without support or that society doesn't have people/ organisations especially larger orgnisations either don't have to adapt to safely cater for those with disabilities meaning that whatever they manage to achieve is achieved against the odds.

This is particularly painful where diagnosis(es) come in adulthood because there wasn't the medical understanding /awareness of them and therefore not all members of the family members accept the disabilities.

I other we lagitimise only doing the minimum a adaptation even is no listed building or conservation consent are needed, I think that where none of these are needed the a rated by the local authority and legally have to show there rating in their windows, while the authorities and the local tourist board have to publish colour coded listing of the and listing of why the rating was marked up/down accessibility rates of establishments and listing of those limited or no accessibly and the reason why so small business and.or is a listed building.

Disability History Month isn't as well publicized as well comparison to Black History month and yet a wider cross section of society than Black History. Perhaps we need to make sure Black History month do not so that that there is more room to for in depth discussions of the issues. I didn't even know disability history month existed,

I wonder how many people today aware how the Nazis treated people with disabilities or even how disabled people in this country in the last century were treated in the last century?

In my opinion over the next decade or there is a risk that in the next couple of decades and and perhaps beyond the being the same situation as being in the as were in back the 1960s/1970s in terms of instiutionalisation disabled people but with the additional issue of also providing care for the those in the community because of the government cuts. This is lamentable even shameful given the technologies we have have today and with the possible exception in some areas of robots the technologies which may come in the future.

Sam_Alumni · December 2016

Great post, thanks @Jack_W

Sam_Alumni · December 2016

There's a series on radio 4 called Disability: A New History by Peter White, it's a few years old but quite interesting.

3_SAMagnify1 · December 2016

How old is this series on Radio 4. Maybe it needs updating. Could there not be some kind of series on BBC World service, that way you can have people discuss the topics around it? who you may even get input from other countries.

Why is UK Disability History Month important?

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