In honor of Disability History Month, HRZone and Disability and Ability have teamed up to present a three part series entitled ‘Disability History – Lessons for Future Proofing HR Practices.’ The first part, shown below, focuses on the social model.
Before COVID was created, the Disabled Community had cultivated an incredibly successful remote working environment. LinkedIn’s latest workplace trends show a push for flexible working policies, improved carer leave and paternity policies. HR teams around the world are scrambling for solutions. The Disabled community has beaten you to the punch. All these challenges can be solved by the social model of disability. Will you listen to me this time?
What is the social model for disability?
The social model of disabilities encourages us to rethink the inclusion of disabled people by focusing on external barriers that prevent them from fully participating. The medical model is based on the diagnosis of a person and treats it as a problem that must be corrected. Social models, on the other hand, shift responsibility from individuals to society, highlighting the fact that the environment is the one that causes disability, not the individual.
Consider, for instance, the accessibility of a wheelchair in a building. According to the medical model an organization might provide a temporary access ramp on request. The wheelchair user would have to plan ahead and ask for the ramp. This cumbersome process reinforces that people with disabilities are the “problem” by needing to be adjusted.
The social model suggests that we remove all barriers to equal access. Installing a permanent ramp will ensure everyone has the same opportunity.
The word disabled is not a dirty one. We are not disabled by our own choice; the world has made us that way.
What is the relationship between social models and inclusion?
The social model of disabilities is not a UK-centric concept. Its roots are worldwide. It was born out of grassroots movements around the world. These include the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa, and the anti-oppression movement in North America.
Across the globe, the struggle to be recognized as “people with disabilities”, rather than Disabled People, continues. Social barriers are a universal problem that makes the social model relevant.
For an authentic adoption of this social model, we also need to consider intersectionality, i.e., how different aspects of identity such as race or class intersect with disability and create additional barriers.
Class and disability
Many disabilities can be traced to social capital and socioeconomic backgrounds. Many Disabled are also disproportionately affected by the current cost of living crisis. They pay more for services such as Personal Assistants, assistive technology and energy bills.
These barriers are not isolated, but linked to wider social inequality.
What are the benefits of a social model in the workplace?
We overlook the unique experiences of each individual and put the burden on the person to feel comfortable enough to disclose.
Menopausal women may require desk fans or flexible work arrangements similar to those of disabled people. We shift the focus from individuals, to workplaces, by focusing on issues like fatigue, overheating and brain fog. This approach makes it accessible to all.
In D&A’s collaboration with Transport for London for example, our consultants who have ‘lived experiences’ take staff on tours to the London transport network. The staff are presented with the context of the problems that passengers face and the solutions to overcome them.
Our guides will encourage passengers to find practical solutions instead of being overwhelmed with possible fixes or feeling disconnected from action. TFL staff can benefit from the lived experiences of passengers, as they better understand how to assist all passengers. This insight helps improve the service for those who may find it difficult to share their needs, especially if in the past they have been treated with hostility.
The experiences of disabled people pave the path for a future in which everyone feels like they belong. This simple switch demonstrates the power of the Social Model in reshaping the way we approach inclusion.
The power of language and attitude can hold us back but it also has the potential to propel us forward.
Put the theory of social models into practice
Use identity-first language
The word disabled is not a dirty one. We are not disabled because of the world we live in. We are not ‘people who have disabilities’. We are disabled people. Autistic people. Dyslexics. Use identity-first language.
Everyone has a responsibility
You’ll risk legal disputes, poor performance, and mediation if the social model does not include a collective responsibility.
If you invest in training for your entire organisation, it will make the conversation about disability and accessibility easier. You’ll also reap the benefits of improved team dynamics, better communication, and a more positive public image.
It’s not worth recruiting if your organization isn’t ready to retain.
We can assure you that neurodiversity and diversity already exist in your team. If you don’t know about it, disablement is also present in your workplace.
Instead of focusing on recruiting more diverse talent, focus on improving the experience and removing obstacles for your disabled and neurodiverse staff. You don’t need to prepare if you are prepared.
Check your physical space
Did you know the legal requirement for the red emergency cord of an accessible toilet is that it must be hung at a maximum 10cm above the floor? The red emergency cords were designed to allow someone to call for assistance from the ground if they fell. Take a closer look at the accessible toilets next time you’re passing by. You’re likely to find the cord wrapped, cut or stuck behind something.
You’ll be missing barriers like these every day if you don’t have lived experience. Speak to experts and think about what else you might be missing in your physical space.
It is time for a fundamental shift
Honoring the social model does not only mean removing physical obstacles, such as installing ramps or captions. This is a fundamental change in the way we act, speak and see the world.
The power of language and attitude can hold us back but it also has the potential to propel us forward. We can make small daily changes by integrating the social model into our communication and actions.
