Equality and inclusion

The social model of disability

The social model of disability is a way of thinking about disability that focuses on how barriers in society disable people, not our impairments. It was developed by disabled people.We believe that the route to equality and inclusion is by recognising that disabled people are first and foremost people. No less or more important than anyone else. We should not be excluded from equal participation in society. Our impairments, neurodivergence, illness and mental health should not reduce our right to dignity, respect, choice and control in our lives.It is important to note that the social model of disibility does not undermine the individual experience of living with pain or distress. It simply says that if the physical, emotional and institutional barriers in society were removed, we could face life from an equal starting point to non-disabled people.We campaign to remove the barriers.