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Writer's pictureKaitlyn Boudreault

Disability 101: What Is Disability?

Updated: Oct 19

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.3 billion people across the world are disabled. This accounts for 16% of the world’s population. 



A diverse representation for people to answer the question:What is Disability

Even though these disabilities are so widespread, there isn't one universally accepted definition of disability among all disabled individuals. 


Disability means different things to different people.


Discover more people disabilities below.


What Is Disability?


In a broader sense, disability is defined as a natural part of human diversity that makes the world stronger.


Any one of us can become disabled at any given time. No one is immune to becoming disabled. 


According to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), a disability is "any visible or invisible condition that may have been present from birth, caused by an accident, or developed over time."


Disabilities can include a wide range of conditions, including:


  • Visual disability

  • Speech impairment

  • Hearing impairments

  • Physical disabilities

  • Brain injury

  • Epilepsy

  • Intellectual disabilities

  • Learning disabilities

  • Mental health challenges

  • Neurodivergence

  • and more.


These conditions can interfere with a person’s functioning and may be visible or invisible. It’s estimated that 70–80% of all disabilities are invisible


An invisible disability is a disability that you cannot tell a person has simply by looking at them or interacting with them. 


This can include anxiety, depression, epilepsy, or pain disorders, among other conditions. 


Does Neurodivergence Count As Disabled?


Neurodivergence is used to refer to individuals whose brain differences affect how they interact with the world. 


Neurodivergent individuals may have differences in one or more core brain areas, including language, memory, speech, executive functioning, emotions, and more. 


Conditions that fall under the neurodivergent umbrella include anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and epilepsy, among other conditions. 


Each individual with these conditions will differ in their brain differences as well. 


If you ask the neurodivergent community whether neurodivergence classifies as a disability, you would likely get a split opinion. 


Some neurodivergent individuals view their neurodivergence as a disability, while others do not. 


It is important to respect individuals' right to self-determination and agency to decide for themselves whether or not they see their neurodivergence as disabled. 


What Are the Models Used to Describe Disability?


Medical Model of Disabilities


In this model, individuals are seen as disabled as a result of their condition or impairment. 


The condition is seen as a problem and is treated as something to be fixed or changed by using medical treatments. 


Some common statements that would be used under the medical model include:


  • “A person is bound to a wheelchair.”

  • “They can’t move up the stairs.”

  • “They are housebound.”

  • “They can’t see or hear.”

  • “They have sensory issues.”


This model considers what is ‘wrong’ with the person rather than the access needs of each individual based on their disability. 


Social Model of Disabilities


On the opposite end of the spectrum is a social model that views disability as the result of the way society is structured, not as a result of the impairment or condition itself.  


As the facts about disabilities suggest, there are multiple barriers that prevent the full participation of disabled individuals in society. 


These barriers can be physical, such as the lack of a ramp for wheelchair users, or social and societal, such as prejudiced attitudes towards disabled individuals, including believing that someone is not disabled due to how they look. 


These attitudes can also be internalized, which is known as internalized ableism. This is when disabled individuals start to internalize negative biases that society has towards them and start to view themselves as less than. 

 

This is the model that the Disability Rights Movement uses to advocate for the removal of barriers that restrict people's ability to participate fully in society. 


An example of removing barriers would include someone with social anxiety who struggles with verbal participation being given alternative means to communicate, such as through letters, email, or text messages. 


As the understanding of disabilities increases in society, we are shifting from a medical model to a social one. We are viewing the lack of access as the problem, not an individual's disability. 


Disability Advocates


A disability rights advocate is someone who actively works to advance the rights of disabled individuals. 


There are many disability advocates, but here are a few of our favorites. 



This network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement surrounding autism. 


They work to empower the autistic community to take control of their own lives and that of the autistic community. 


They believe that autism advocacy should center on autistic voices. They believe in a world where autistic individuals have equal access, rights, and opportunities.



A queer, disabled, and neurodivergent disability advocate who draws from her personal experience with physical and psychosocial disabilities and neurodivergence. 


She also draws on her professional experience in Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) to raise awareness of systemic ableism and challenge oppressive structures. 



Canada’s national autistic self-advocacy organization that is led by and for autistic individuals. 


They are an international affiliate of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN). 


They work with disability groups across Canada to educate the public about disabilities and to work to transform the policies surrounding autism. 


Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning  


Are you seeking a neurodivergent coach or therapist in Canada? 


Or, are you looking to learn more about disabilities in an Accessibility 101 workshop?


Book a free 20-minute consultation with one of the Blue Sky Learning team members by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or go through the link below.











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