An incredible open letter to a disabled man considering suicide.
2008-11-17 by Maria Zedda
Liz Carr has written an open letter to Noel Martin, who in 1996 was attacked by Neo-Nazis and as a result was left paralysed from the neck down. He is planning a trip to Switzerland to commit legal suicide and Liz Carr has written to him to ask him to reconsider.
Disability equality training - a low priority?
2008-11-11 by Maria Zedda
Recently someone asked me how to address a question that came from one of their employees: ‘Why are we learning about disability? Surely we should address other diversity issues, such as racial and cultural discrimination first?’
This led me to ask myself why disability equality training is often seen as a ‘low priority’ topic.
Saatchi's Gallery: disablism and ageism in the arts?
2008-10-21 by Maria Zedda
Our western culture tends to promote a medicalised view whereby disabled people are considered to be damaged, sick or even freaks of nature. Disability is feared as something that is as abnormal and not a part of who we really are as human beings.
No Limits 2008
2008-09-28 by Maria Zedda
Events like No Limits are needed: they’re not an easy feat and often meeting the access needs of disabled participants and attendees can be hugely challenging – simply for the sheer size of the provision required.
The Secret Millionaire and disabled people
2008-08-21 by Maria Zedda
Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire demonstrated how easily unhealthy attitudes towards disability can be shed. What could have been another sensationalist ‘reality’ TV treatment of disability actually turned out to be an honest and well-handled portrayal of someone challenging his own perception of disabled people; experiencing his own ‘eureka moment.’
The Medical model - is disability created by impairment?
2008-08-10 by Maria Zedda
The medical model focuses on impairment and loss of functionality: it encourages the idea that disability is only a condition affecting the individual. From this, the disadvantages faced by disabled people are the result of their own, personal condition rather than any failings in society or barriers in the built environment.
Models of disability: is the Religious model still relevant today?
2008-08-02 by Maria Zedda
The religious model, is a theory that shows how often people’s religious beliefs are projected onto disabled people.
Harriet McBryde Johnson
2008-07-14 by Maria Zedda
Last month, Harriet McBryde Johnson, the celebrated American disabled rights activist and lawyer died suddenly at the age of 50. I met her when I lived in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2003 whilst at the apex of her fame after the New York Times published her 10,000 words article making her case against Eugenics. Her death was a bit of a shock to me, especially as I recall my own life at the time and the circumstances around our meeting.