Let’s talk about disability awareness

By Paulin Tan

Illustration by Rachana Udaya Kumar

WHAT USE IS IT BEING AWARE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IF THERE IS NO PROACTIVE ACTION TO COMBAT THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE IN AN ABLEIST WORLD?

People with a disability are a prominent minority group in society whose struggles need to be addressed. The election of US President-elect Joe Biden is a win for the Democrats, a win for America and a win for people with a disability. Why is a victory for Joe Biden so signifcant?

The elected president-elect grew up with a disability, a stutter. His election is an example of overcoming the challenges of having a disability whilst living in a world designed for those without a disability, specifcally a middle-aged white man. WHAT IS THE DISABILITY CULTURE? WHAT IS PROACTIVE ACTION FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY?

The community of people with a disability are often referred to by words such as “crippled”, “impaired”, “limited” and even “invalid”. These terms have been used throughout history, encapsulating society’s sentiments towards people with a disability at that time. Using the words to describe disability culture is a relatively new concept that is still contested today.

By recognising disability culture and it’s differences and strength, it will be able to provide people with different abilities an opportunity to pursue their own goals and shared goals. People with a disability are enormously diverse in their abilities and their histories. However, the simple question is whether the disability of an individual is a reason for division and separation, or whether the unique skills of the individual are to be harnessed, and of cause for recognition and celebration.

The most signifcant barrier for people with disabilities is other people. Disability Awareness means educating people about disabilties and giving people suffcient knowledge to reverse this barrier. Disability discrimination is unlawful, just scratching the surface with extensive proactive action needed to mitigate unjust environments. It is essential to understand that people with a disability are just people of the human race with different abilities. Different abilities mean that they learn differently. When this straightforward concept is understood, people with disabilities can also fourish in society’s current system.

US president-elect Joe Biden understands this concept and is able to learn and excel now in the position in which he is the president of the most powerful country in the world in terms of military might but also politically having a strong power over the world.

Disability education brings these challenges and these attitudes to the surface, where they can be examined consciously. It shouldn’t be surprising that despite the best of intentions, people with disabilities that participate in inclusion programs still continue to feel left out.

Society has many changes to make so that there is an even playing feld for people with differences. Diversity should be cultivated as it can be a factor of success if done right.

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TALKCAMPUS IS HERE!

Student life can be incredibly tough for anybody, it can feel lonely and overwhelming. Life is full of highs and lows for each and every one of us so why do we always try to go it alone?

TalkCampus is a free app that students can download to get instant support for their mental health. TalkCampus brings together students from around the world and is based on peer support with professional safeguarding and escalation. Students can talk anonymously to students from other universities around the world, in their own language, about commonly shared struggles such as exam stress, anxiety, depression and a range of other matters.

TalkCampus is for everyone and anyone who is looking for someone who understands what you are going through (because someone always does) and who just needs someone to talk to and listen. Because, we all do. TalkCampus is a place where you can work through life with other University students, because everything is better together.

So get on TalkCampus and talk to students going through the exact same struggles you are, all around the world, any time of day or night. Sometimes it can be hard to talk about certain things with family, or even friends. This is a safe place where you can talk anonymously about anything; mental health, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, a bad break-up of a relationship, stress and studies...it doesn’t matter. If you want to talk about it, someone else does too. No judgements. Just people who understand you.

So join TalkCampus and download the free app today from Google Play or the App Store Sign up using your student email.

For more information, visit Western Sydney University TalkCampus webpage, which you can access through the QR code provided.