Disability framework for action

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Explanation of key terms

Social model of disability

The disability framework for action is based on the social model of disability which is as follows:

• Disability is not something individuals have. What individuals have are impairments. They may be physical, sensory, neurological, psychiatric, intellectual or other impairments.

• Disability is the process which happens when one group of people create barriers by designing a world only for their way of living, taking no account of the impairments other people have. Our society is built in a way that assumes that we can move quickly from one side of the road to the other, that we can all see signs, read directions, hear announcements, reach buttons, have the strength to open heavy doors and have stable moods and perceptions.

• Disability relates to the interaction between the person with the impairment and the environment (New Zealand Disability Strategy, 2001).

Disabled person/ people

Person/people with an impairment - whether physical, intellectual, emotional or otherwise - who experiences disabling environments or attitudes.

Disability community

Disabled people, together with their parents and families. Disabling attitudes and environments often affect this whole community.

Service provider

An organisation which provides services to disabled people or the disability community.

Disability sector

All organisations and people whose purpose focuses on disabled people or the disability community.

Access/accessibility/barrier free

The terms access, accessibility, and barrier free are used interchangeably throughout the framework. They all refer to the removal of barriers, whether they are attitudinal or physical, and therefore the opportunity for disabled people to participate more on a number of levels.

DIAG (Disability Issues Advisory Group)

DIAG is an advisory group that is made up of disabled people and service providers. DIAG is funded by Auckland City and has been providing policy and planning advice to Auckland City for the last two years.