What is disability? - University of Wollongong

Living with a disability can create a different experience for each person.

There is no universally accepted definition of disability, as it can vary by context and perspective of the person. When considering the concept of disability, People with Disability Australia describes two contrasting models:

The medical model of disability

Frames people with disabilities as ‘abnormal’ and a problem internal to the individual. The focus is on the medical profession, and the ideal is to ‘fix’ or ‘cure’ the individual. While recognised in 2001 by the World Health Organisation, this interaction should shape policy change.

The social model of disability

Asserts that disability is caused by physical and/ or social environments that don’t meet an individual’s needs. People are framed as being disabled by unsupportive environments, and the focus is on fixing the environment rather than on the individual.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers uses the definition:

“A person is considered to have a disability if they have a limitation, restriction, or impairment that has lasted or is likely to last for at least six months and restricts everyday activities.” ¹

This includes conditions such as sensory loss, intellectual difficulties, physical limitations, psychosocial conditions, head and brain injury, and more.

Despite this, many Australian institutions use the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) which considers the environmental factors to contextualise the functioning and disability of a person. ²

illustration of people standing in a line

You can't do that

Greet someone by saying "you look so normal".

But you can do this

Greet someone as you would a non-disabled person by enquiring about how they are feeling.

The ICF framework is used as a way to measure disability and health at both a population and individual level considering bodily functions, structure, activities and participation in relation to a health condition, and environmental and personal factors. In addition, within Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 definition is broader and includes:

Physical disabilities
Intellectual disabilities
Psychiatric disabilities
Sensory disabilities
Neurological disabilities
Learning disabilities
Physical disfigurement
Presence of disease-causing organisms in the body

Many organisations in Australia use concepts from the ICF to define disability, whereby disability results from an interaction between an individual’s health condition and their environment.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT

Assume that people living with disability are "‘courageous’, ‘brave’, or ‘inspirational’".

BUT YOU CAN DO THIS

Believe people with disabilities are the same as everyone else and have their own talents just like everyone else.

You can't do that

Continue to point out problems with a person’s communication.

BUT YOU CAN DO THIS

Ask the person what could be helpful to them.

References

¹ Australian Government: Australian Public Service Commission. Definition of disability, 9 Sept 2019.
Accessed at Definition of disability | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)

²World Health Organization. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
Accessed at International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (who.int)

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