Disabilty Equality
This page is about Disability Equality. You will find information about different models of Disability, stereotypes of Disabled people, use of language and meeting access requirements. There is also information about legislation and cultural policy relating to Disabled people with links to the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Arts Council England and The Disability Rights Commission Archive.
- What is Disability Equality?
- Models of Disability
- Disability Stereotypes
- Language and Disability
- Access Requirements
- National Disability Equality Cultural Policy
- Disability Discrimination and Equality Legislation
- Arcadea’s Disability Equality Workshops, Projects and Packages
What Is Disability Equality?
It is estimated that there are 9 million Disabled people currently living in the UK, with 70% of us becoming Disabled as we age, representing a significant proportion of our population. Until 1995, there was no specific legislation relating to the rights of Disabled people. The Disabled People’s Movement, which began in the 1980s, has campaigned for the human rights and equal status of Disabled people, and continues today in the 21st century.
The Disability Discrimination Act (1995/2005), exists to ensure that disabled people have the right to receive fair and equal access to services, information, facilities, employment and education as everyone else. As a result in an art and culture context, as in wider society, all arts organisations and cultural venues are now expected to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Legislation as service providers and as employers.
Arcadea works within art and culture contexts to improve the cultural status of Disabled people and therefore promotes Cultural Disability Equality beyond compliance with the legislation, to promote understanding of the value of involving the voices and cultural identities of Disabled people in the cultural landscape.
As Disabled people have experienced a particular historical, social and cultural framework. We are characterised in a number of ways based on different models of disability which you can read about below, and also through a set of specific stereotypes which are communicated across our society, particularly through cultural means – story telling, visual art, theatre, literature, film, photography, media representations.
Disability Equality is about much more than access. It includes:
- Consulting, involving and contracting Disabled people and Disabled experts
- Developing pro-active policies, procedures and practices to ensure that employers, education providers, service providers and public bodies (arts organisations, arts venues, cultural organisations, cultural venues, arts providers, arts educators, arts agencies and bodies, trainers and professional development agencies) do not discriminate against disabled people.
- Appointing Disabled artists, artistic staff, arts managers, consultants, board members and advisors.
- Programming the work of Disabled people to ensure that the cultural status of Disabled people is improved through visibility.
- Highlighting a number of Disability stereotypes evident in cultural representation.
- Ensuring that programmed art work and activity is not discriminatory, does not exclude disabled people and does not perpetuate negative disability stereotypes and the low status of Disabled people in its content.
- Examining the cultural and historical frameworks experienced by Disabled people
- Understanding a number of Models of Disability
- Identifying unacceptable and acceptable language in relation to Disability and Disabled people,
- Meeting a range of access requirements
- Supporting audience development programmes for and with Disabled people
The Disability Community has an amazing history, has produced fantastic art, contains a vibrant international body of work which has the right to be visible, would inspire and excite people if it were programmed and produces debate and dialogue about what art is all about. Arcadea is part of that international network and we can be used as a bridge towards it.
Disability Equality is not about ‘political correctness’. It is, in fact, about the status of 25% of the population of the North East, many of whom don’t identify as being a Disabled person with rights as it has such a negative stigma attached to it. Disability Equality is about the 70% of us who become Disabled as we age, it’s about our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, uncles, aunts, cousins . . . it’s about a hugely diverse community covering the entire demographic of 21st Century Britain.
So it’s about all of us. It’s about how we tell the story of our times, how we create the images that represent our age, it’s about our artists, poets, musicians, writers, photographers, singers, dancers, film-makers, actors, . . .
Models of Disability
There are a number of Models of Disability presented toward an understanding of how Disabled people are characterised and perceived. The different Models are known as The Charity Model, The Medical Model, The Social Model, The Human Rights Model and The Cultural Model.
The Charity Model grew out of 19th century notions of benevolence towards Disabled people ‘begging to survive’, ‘needing things done’, and being dependent on the good will of others. This model reflects a status where equality is not possible and yet this 19th century, paternalistic approach prevails in many examples of charities and organisations focussed on providing services and facilities, and is responsible for many of the stereotypical views and perception of Disabled people.
The Medical or Individual Model of Disability is dependent solely on the clinical diagnosis of what a person cannot do and is perceived to need ‘fixing’ or ‘curing’. The individual is seen as the problem and this is generally the way that Disabled people are characterised in art, culture and the media, informing the negative perceptions and misunderstanding of what it is to be a Disabled person.
The Human Rights Model of Disability looks at the four core values of Human Rights Legislation: Dignity, Autonomy, Equality and Solidarity. Which respectively relates to the inestimable value of the individual (and not based on economic productivity); self determination in all decisions around the person; inherent equality regardless of difference; and, the ethical responsibility of society to sustain the freedom of the person with all relevant supports in place.
The Social Model of Disability has a focus on people with impairments being disabled by the barriers they face in society. People are Disabled by a lack of access to education, information, employment, services, buildings, transport, cultural representation.
The Social Model is promoted by Disabled people as the best model of Disability Equality we have. The Arts Council of England supports and promotes the Social Model of Disability.
New thinking – Disabled peoples ideas are evolving constantly and there is much new thinking about our experiences. University Disability Studies Departments are dedicated to analysis and new thinking, as are individual Disabled people, including many of the artists we work with. arcadea’s Director has been researching a Cultural Model of Disability and will publish information soon.
Disability Stereotypes
There is extensive academic analysis and research into examples of the stereotyping of Disabled people in fairy tales, literature, theatre, religious texts, film, television, dance, music among other art forms. Disabled people are rarely presented as fully rounded characters with interesting lives. Disabled people are rarely lead characters or where they are they usually fall into one of ten stereotypes. Often disabled people or specific impairments (eg mental health problems) are used as devices to move the narrative forward for other leading characters.
In Greek literature and theatre people with impairments, or those who are less than perfect are characterised as ‘less good’. A number of physical and sensory impairments are given to ‘outsiders’, to demons and to mythical creatures. Children’s fairytales are populated with evil characters who are personified by impairments, or mythical characters who are ‘special’ and allow for main characters narratives to develop. Shakespearean texts have many examples of physical impairments defining the characters. Richard III is an example but it is also worth noting that the famous interpretations of this character have also contributed to the negative stereotyping of disabled people. John Merrick in ‘The Elephant Man’ is an example of a pitiable character who is also a wise sage but given no real narrative of his own. Tiny Tim in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol represents a tragic and pitiable victim.
The research of Dr Paul Darke and The British Film Institute has produced a number of papers relating Disability and Film. You can find out more by clicking on the links.
The ten stereotypes of Disabled people are:
- Pitiable and pathetic
A tragic individual needing to be looked after by others - The victim
Often the victim of violence or ridicule - Sinister or evil
Many mental health and physical impairments have come to represent an innate 'badness', quite often looking for revenge - A curiosity
Disabled people used to make things more exotic, curious, wierd - The Heroic Figure
A favourite of the media – showing a Disabled person overcoming tragedy, overcompensating for their impairment, super-achievers, often in sporting endeavours - Laughable
Where impairment is used as the butt of jokes or where learning disabled characters are used as objects of comedy - Having a chip on their shoulder
Angry about the blow life has dealt them, a particular way of presenting Disabled war veterans - A burden
A device used to show how ‘good’ other non-disabled characters are, or to demonstrate that Disabled people have no value, are unable to contribute - Non – sexual
There are very few examples of Disabled people with healthy sexual interest or active sex lives. Disabled people are shown as either having no interest in sex or occasionally with inappropriate sexuality. Disabled people are shown as a-sexual, or sexually incompetent. - Incapable
Disabled people portrayed as being unable to function in home lives, family life, employment, social lives without the help and support of non-disabled people. Incapable of independent thoughts or actions, and having decisions about their loves taken by others.
Language and Disability Equality
Language is powerful and can be used to offend, be disrespectful, discriminate against groups or parts of society and to reduce status. And, of course, the opposite is true. Language can be used respectfully, to promote equality and to increase and improve status.
Language evolves and changes over time. Many unacceptable words, names or phrases attached to race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality came to be acknowledged as unacceptable in the 20th Century. The same is true of disability and Disabled people. As part of our autonomy and self-determination, Disabled People have identified for many years acceptable and unacceptable language.
Much of the language used about Disabled people in art and culture remains paternalistic - part of the charity and medical models of Disability which represent Disabled people as needy, as less able, and as beneficiaries of services. Disabled people are still largely viewed as project participants, as needing to be integrated into existing arts provision and rarely as artists, leaders and managers. The language used to describe Disabled people (participants, customers, service-users, special needs) and our access requirements particularly reveals low expectation. Even the equality targets set in art and culture relate to the ‘attendance’ and ‘participation’ of Disabled people at arts events and activities.
Historically, when groups within society have experienced discrimination and exclusion and have addressed the use of racist, sexist or homophobic language, there has been resistance. It is often linked to 'political correctness' which has now somehow come to be characterised as radical or extreme and representing 'fringe groups'. This is a part of the resistance to change and a resistance to address inequality and discrimination. It is not about 'political correctness' but is about the respectful use of language about an equal group or part of society. It is not acceptable to use Disablist language which actively offends, reduces the status of Disabled people, or encourages discrimination. This is not the view of 'fringe radicals' but is endorsed by Disabled People's representative organisations, and in Disability Equality Policy from Government and Public Bodies. You can click the link to view Arts Council England's statement about the use of Language in their Action For Access Publication (2004, with amendments 2005) and there are numerous resources still available at the archived Disability Rights Commission Website.Read arcadea’s document containing unacceptable and acceptable language relating to Disabled people.
Meeting Access Requirements
To ensure that employment, education, arts and service provision are equal and not discriminatory towards Disabled people it is essential that the access requirements of Disabled people are identified and met.
Access requirements are individual and unique to each person, so it is essential to enquire about access requirements to be able to meet them. The Disability Discrimination Act talks about making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure that access requirements are met. Organisations and venues must have policies, procedures and practices in relation to their overall Disability Equality Action Plan to achieve equality.
So, meeting access requirements is a legal requirement. It is also a human right to ensure the dignity, autonomy and equality of the individual within the collective responsibility society has to sustaining the freedom of the individual.
There are a wide range of access requirements relating to different impairments: physical access, sensory access for visually and hearing impaired, Blind and Deaf people, learning and mental health access requirements. Please contact us if you would like to know more about meeting access requirements.
National Disability Equality Cultural Policy
Along with arcadea, Disabled-led regional agencies are working together across the country to increase understanding of Disability Equality in Art and Culture and campaign to improve Cultural Policy and Practice in relation to the rights of Disabled people. You can find out what is happening in other regions through our links page.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) provides
funding for the arts in England, sets arts policy and supports arts based
initiatives, often in collaboration with other government departments. The
Department funds the Arts Council to develop the arts in England, and funds
a number of National Arts Companies. Government policy relating to Disabled
people and culture is set through the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
You can find our more about the DCMS Equality Scheme 2006-09, which incorporates
their Disability Scheme, by following this link.
www.culture.gov.uk
Arts Council England is the national development agency
for the Arts in England, distributing public money from Government and The
National Lottery. Arts Council England sets out its vision for Disability
Equality in the Arts in their Draft Disability Equality Scheme 2007-10 and
Action Plan, published for consultation in December 2006 which you can read
by following this link.
www.artscouncil.org.uk/publications
Disability Discrimination and Equality Legislation
The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) is the most significant piece of legislation relating to the rights of Disabled people in Britain. In 2000 the Government set up the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) to help secure the civil rights of Disabled people. The Commission closed in September 2007 with its responsibilities transferring to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Disability Rights Commission produced many information leaflets, publications and resources relating to Disability Equality which have been archived on their website.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is in the process of transferring
and updating the information, publications, policies and documents to its
own website
www.equalityhumanrights.com
however the archived DRC site remains useful and of interest.
Arcadea’s Disability Equality Workshops, Projects and Packages
Arcadea works to support regional and national partners to develop models of Disability Equality excellence. We plan to introduce new Cultural Disability Equality Champions Awards in 2009-10 and are keen that nominees and winners of these awards reflect real progress and change in our region.
Arcadea is at the forefront of thinking and innovation in Disability Equality in Art and Culture and as the regional representative organisation is strategically positioned to support Art and Culture agencies, regional cultural bodies, arts organisations and venues to develop Disability Equality within their own work.
All of our work is bespoke – designed to meet the needs and context of your organisation and we are happy to discuss any ideas you have for us to work together. Disability Equality is a matter of Organisational Development and also of the professional development of individuals.
We offer a range of Disability Equality packages which include:
Disability Equality Training and Workshops – which is spread over one or two days and is designed to relate to your own work. The training is usually delivered to representatives of all levels and all departments within the organisation, and we particularly encourage Board and senior executive representation to demonstrate Board and executive support for Disability Equality. The maximum number of participants in one workshop is twelve. The training covers: definitions and models of disability; historical and cultural frameworks of Disabled people; Disability stereotypes; legislation; language and etiquette; good practice and access requirements; and exercises specific to the work and structure of your organisation.
Disability Equality and The Cultural Welcome – relevant
to your whole organisation but important for anyone responsible for customer
care. This will look at a number of areas of your customer care, whether you
are building based or use other buildings/locations for you work, direct contact,
gathering information about Disabled people, statistically monitoring your
work, exploring language, access requirements, and orientation around buildings,
events, activities and meetings. We can discuss your current policy profiles
and discuss whether there are any changes to policy, procedure and practice
which would support you and your Disability Equality outputs.
The following workshops are designed to give your organisation the confidence, skills and knowledge you require to develop ownership of your Disability Equality policy, procedure and practice. They can be delivered as part of an overall package or individually, together with our Disability Equality Training:
Disability Equality and Governance – looking at your strategic vision and planning
Disability Equality, Management and Operations – looking at overall organisational and policy development
Disability Equality and Employment – looking at your recruitment policies and employment policies and practices
Disability Equality and Your Programme – supporting your programme development in the area of Disability Equality
Disability Equality, Communications and Marketing – working with your team to improve your communications networks, reaching disabled people, meeting information access requirements
Disability Equality and Access – looking in more detail at meeting the access requirements of a range of Disabled people. This training is designed to give your organisation confidence in meeting access requirements and ensuring that your organisation is prepared.
Disability Equality Refresher Workshops – covering areas highlighted by you and your team for up to date training as a refresher and a ‘check-in’ point for your monitoring purposes.
Disability Equality Packages – we will discuss with you in detail the needs of your organisation and design a bespoke package of training and delivery with your organisation. We will cover all areas of your provision and work with you on conducting an initial survey and developing a plan of our work together from that, toward a set of agreed targets.
Disability Equality Ambassadorships – again a bespoke package designed with you and your senior managers but with a longer term process in view. This process would develop toward the supported development of your Disability Equality Action Plan and the supported trialling of agreed elements within it.
Networking With Disabled Artists – this can take a variety of forms. We’d be happy to introduce you to a number of practitioners with whom we work, both to inform your knowledge of Disability Equality in practice, but also to create an opportunity for both yourselves and the artists to meet, whose work you may not have previously known about and who you might want to work with, collaborate with, or whom you can add to your database of artists for future work. It might even create the spark of an idea for a future project.
Prices are available on request. Please contact us for more information.