For most disabled people, disability isn’t the barrier – inaccessibility is.
Too often, people assume that a disabled person’s condition is what disables them. But, whilst for a few disabled people it is, for most it’s the environment, systems, and attitudes that create the real barriers.
A wheelchair user isn’t stopped from entering a building because they use a wheelchair – they’re stopped because there’s no ramp or lift.
A deaf or neurodivergent person isn’t unable to engage with a video because they’re deaf – they’re excluded because there are no captions.
A blind person isn’t unable to read a menu because they’re blind – they’re excluded because there’s no large print or accessible format available.
Barriers are what disable most people, not impairments.
If we want to build a truly inclusive society, we need to stop focusing on “fixing” disabled people and start fixing the barriers that exclude them.
ID: A purple Robbie Crow infographic titled “Someone’s medical condition doesn’t stop them being able to…” followed by six illustrated panels, each highlighting a barrier that prevents access: 1. Access a building – Shows a wheelchair user in front of stairs. The text states, “A lack of a ramp or lift does.” 2. Watch online videos – Displays a smartphone with a play button. The text states, “No subtitles or captions does.” 3. Search the internet – Features an angry face in front of a laptop. The text states, “An inaccessible website does.” 4. View the choices in a restaurant – Shows a confused person standing next to a menu board. The text states, “A lack of a large print menu does.” 5. Participate fully in a meeting – Displays a circular meeting icon with question marks. The text states, “No agenda does.” 6. Communicate in a first language – Shows two people signing in British Sign Language. The text states, “A lack of a BSL interpreter does.” At the bottom of the image, bold text states: “Barriers are what disable most people, not impairments.” In the bottom right corner, there is a QR code and my name.
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