Why after over 30years, since the advent of the Social Model of Disability, are some organisations still commissioning Disability Awareness Training (DAT)?  This is evident in some Disability Equality Schemes, developed by public organisations, who state their intention to provide DAT.  In a recent newsletter a Welsh access group advocated the use of blindfolds and wheelchairs, role playing this situation with non-disabled people, as part of training.  This has dismayed many of us who promote the Social Model of Disability and provide Disability Equality Training (DET) in Wales.

There is evidently confusion around what is the difference between DAT and DET.  Fortunately although many organisations may initially request DAT, but when the differences are explained, they usually opt for DET.

Disability Awareness Training

The main focus of DAT is to promote awareness of medical conditions and is sometimes restricted to specific impairments.  This often involves using simulation exercises, like blind folding, wearing ear plugs or glasses with different lenses, or using a wheelchair. Sitting in a wheelchair or wearing glasses for half an hour may be an “experience” but its temporary nature teaches nothing of the reality of physical or sensory impairment and “playing at disability” is insulting to disabled people. Consider for a moment if race or gender issues were approached in this manner?  As a society we had these discussions long ago and decided for reasons of decency and respect that “blacking up”, for example, didn’t advance our understanding of the discrimination encountered by people from ethnic minorities. 

DAT can also involve individual Disabled people recounting their life stories from a medical model understanding of disability, and implying that being disabled is a tragedy.  Many Disabled people find this offensive because it promotes sympathy rather than the understanding that it is not our impairments that disable us, but inaccessible environments and information, negative or patronising attitudes and non-inclusive policies. This kind of training also suggests that people with the same medical conditions and impairments are affected in the same way and have the same access requirements.

DAT promotes understanding of disability as a health or care issue, which implies that Disabled people have something wrong with them that needs to be fixed.  This reinforces an image of Disabled people as being needy and, at worst, a burden on the state and their families.  Many Disabled people find this offensive because it fails to recognise that we have the same rights of access to all areas of society, public services and life experiences.

Many disabled people have no need to receive services, and lead independent lives, making a valuable contribution to society as parents, carers of others, at work, in public life and in our communities.

DAT usually includes a session on etiquette, in other words, ‘how to be nice to Disabled people’ by not doing or saying something that will offend.  General behavioural rules or sets of instructions will fail to apply to all disabled people as what is deemed acceptable to one Disabled person will not be so to another.  Trainers will often refer to Disabled people as being ‘people with disabilities’ and use other terms which are outdated and based on the Medical Model of Disability.  

Sometimes DAT is run by non-disabled trainers which can reinforce the myth that Disabled people are incapable of speaking for themselves. Whether the trainer is disabled or not, by providing DAT, they demonstrate their lack of understanding of the Social Model of Disability.

Disability Equality Training

The main focus of DET is to promote an understanding of disability as an equality and rights issue.  This is done by referring to past and present inequalities that exist for disabled people and examining the root causes of exclusion and discrimination brought about by the way society is organised.  It allows participants the opportunity to question myths, stereotypes, assumptions and prejudices and to develop strategies to avoid acting upon them.  Practical examples are provided of what can amount to direct or indirect discrimination. Furthermore DET recognises the diversity of disability and explains how disabled people can also be affected by equality issues relating to gender, race, age and sexual orientation.

DET is tailored to meet the specific requirements of a host organisation. A Disability Equality training provider will always assist the host to identify specific issues they would like to be addressed and agree aims and objectives with them.  DET includes sessions to explain the Social Model of Disability, an overview of the Disability Discrimination Act, using appropriate disability related language, inclusive policies & practices and action planning. These sessions involve interactive group exercises, often based on scenarios, where participants are actively involved in seeking ways to address issues.

DET should always be led by a professional experienced Disabled trainer. This gives all the right messages and has huge credibility.

Maggie Hampton, Director of Disability Arts Cymru, and Andrea Gordon, a freelance Disability Equality Trainer, produced a paper summarising why organisations should be using Disability Equality Training:

... Our inclusion in society depends upon our difference being valued, upon bridging the gap between legislation and humanity, Disability Equality Training turns the theory into practice and encourages the exchange of views and sharing of ideas that allows people to discuss and understand: Talking directly to someone who’s experienced how it feels to be excluded, who knows for themselves what it’s like to miss out on many of life’s opportunities just because they cannot, for example, walk or hear is what really does make participants want to work to achieve change in themselves and their organisations. The exclusion Disabled people encounter manifests itself in a variety of barriers, some institutional, some physical, but under-pinning them all is the undeniable fact that people and their attitudes influence for good or bad how many of these we are able to overcome, and how much effort it takes to achieve. Participants on DET courses grasp this concept, they “buy in to” how they can themselves make a difference, and they do this because they have learned how positive attitudes and their own contribution can and does help to address the huge injustice and the struggle for equality Disabled people live with every day.

For further information contact:

Adele Goodwin, Training & Consultancy Co-ordinator

Cardiff & Vale Coalition of Disabled People

Cowbridge Court

60 Cowbridge Road West

Ely, Cardiff CF5 5BS

Tel/minicom: 029 20 255 611

Fax: 029 20 255 621

Email: adele@cvcdp.org

Website: www.cvcdp.org

Maggie Hampton, Director

Disability Arts Cymru

Sbectrwm

Bwlch Road

Fairwater

Cardiff

CF5 3EF

Tel/minicom: 029 20 551 040

Fax:

Email: maggie@dacyrmu.org

Website: www.dacymru.org

Miranda Evans, Disability Equality Officer

Disability Wales

Bridge House

Caerphilly Business Park

Van Road

Caerphilly CF83 3GW

Tel/minicom: 029 2088 7325

Fax: 029 2088 8702

Email: miranda.evans@disabilitywales.org

Website: www.disabilitywales.org

Chris Birch (Chief Officer)

Disability Powys

The Automobile Palace

Temple Street

Llandrindod Wells

Powys

LD1 5HL

Tel: 01597 82 4059

Email: cbirch@disabilitypowys.org.uk

Website: www.disabilitypowys.org.uk