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Accessibility is more than a ramp
When you think of accessibility, you probably picture infrastructure. You think about lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. Those things matter. They are not optional extras, but they are only one part of the story. Accessibility is often reduced to architecture, something that’s structural, visible and measurable. Yet lived accessibility goes far beyond whether a door is wide enough or a toilet has a grab rail. It lives in the atmosphere, attitudes and whether someone can exhale once they arrive.
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Being disabled forces you to be confident
You’ll have to let me explain this one. Does being disabled force you to be confident? You could argue the opposite, that it’s the reason why someone is shy. My 15 year old self would have done anything to blend in and not be seen as disabled. But that’s why I’ve been forced to be confident.
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Reframing independence
Independence is a concept that we’re all familiar with. It almost seems odd to be discussing it. Yet I know, as a disabled adult, that independence can be a core aspect when transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Independence is what you want from life. Surely it’s the end goal for everyone. When you’re disabled you might have been told you’ll never be independent. I hope to challenge those views. But what does independence mean?
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How to talk about disability with your child
Children are great at asking questions, at the end of the day, that’s how they learn! Often it can be relatively easy to answer their questions — even if it’s the fifth time they’ve asked you that day. But what if they ask you a question about disability? It can hard to know what to say. There are 14 million disabled people in the UK yet talking about disability is still seen as a taboo topic. It can feel awkward for everyone involved, but it does not have to be that way. As a disabled woman, I’ve had numerous occasions where children have asked me about my condition.
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My shifted perception of disability
I’ve been writing this blog for almost 9 years. During this time I’ve learnt a lot, and I hope I’ve been able to teach others a few things along the way. Yet it’s evident that my outlook on disability has shifted over the years. The 15 year old who started this blog was shy and hadn’t given much thought about what it meant to be disabled. Like everyone else, my teenage years and early 20’s have been pivotal in shaping my outlook, views and self-perception. But how has my view of disability evolved since starting my blog?
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Disability: A hero or a victim?
When you hear the word disabled, what do you think of? Chances are it will fall in one of these categories; a victim or a hero. Someone who is struggling and battling on, or someone who had overcome the odds and is an inspiration to all. We cannot be blamed for these views, but we do have the power to change them.
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“But you don’t look blind!”
If you’re blind or partially sighted you’ve probably heard this comment before. However, on the surface I agree with you. I can’t possibly be blind if I look at you, use my phone or look into the camera for a picture. On the other hand, I can be registered blind and do all of those things.
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Overcoming my disability is something I’ve never done
“Disabled people can overcome their disability if they try hard enough”. I hear this type of phrase all too often. It also comes with a few variations: overcoming disability, defying disability and disability did not stop them from achieving. Just to name a few. However, I have never overcome my disability and I don’t intend to do so.
