We definitely need to turn the table on who needs to be accommodated, and enabled to live in our society. Thus far, people with disabilities continue to be systemically marginalised, and accomodations that support us to live independently are more often determined by people withOUT disabilities. Yes, this is despite the motto, ‘Nothing about us, without us’ which originates from the disability sector from a few decades ago. You can read more about its origin here…

A colleague I met recently on zoom, Saima Ali, is a Bioethicist, Registered Nurse, Clinical Educator and Founder of ENAAG-Empowering New Approaches in Ageing and Growth. Our discussion was enlightening for both of us, and not only did I learn about her work, we openly discussed some of the challenges still being faced by people diagnosed with any type of dementia, of any age. Frankly, I was incredibly encouraged by her willingness not only to listen to my point of view, respectfully, and openly, but to consider it valid. This has become increasingly uncommon, as I continue to say things that from my perspective, many dementia experts, and others in this space, seem to pefer not to hear.

Anyway, onto todays blog, Saima alerted me to this animated video, which highlights well how the ‘system’, society, buildings, organisations, and policies are designed for poople without disabilities, apart from things such as wheelchair ramps and hearing loops, if you are lucky enough to live in a country where this has been legislated.

Social Model Animation, by Geoff Spink.

Screenshot from the video – taken by Kate Swaffer

Finally, I recommend you check out the work of Reframing Disability AND Disability Debrief.

#SomeonesGottaSayIt