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The Evolution of the Terminology and the Journey towards self-Determination
In the course of the last few decades, the language used to talk about disability he immediately the profound transformationsreflecting changes in social, cultural, and legal. This evolution the terminology is not only a question of words, it is the manifestation concrete a new vision the person with a disability, based on respect, equality of rights, and on self-determination.
1. From the “impairment” to “person”: the evolution of the terminology
The Language of the Past
Until the ‘70s, the medical terminology and welfare state dominated the discourse on disability. Expressions such as “handicapped”, “moron”, “invalid” pointed to an approach centred on the deficit of physical or mental, dehumanizing the individual and calling it through what he was missing.
The Change of Paradigm
Since the ’80s, thanks to the contribution of the movements for civil rights and of international organizations, particularly the UN and the WHO), says a new model: the social model of disability. This approach shifts the focus from the individual to society, highlighting the fact that what makes a person “disabled” are the barriers to environmental, cultural, and institutional.
Words Matter
Today we speak properly of the person with the disabilityas stipulated by the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD, 2006). The expression “person” gives centrality to the individual, recognizing the dignity, ability, and uniqueness.
2. The value of the person beyond the disability
An Identity Complex and Rich
The disability it does not define a person in his entirety. Every individual has the skills, desires, passions, and opinions. The recognition the value of the person with disability means accept the diversity as a natural part of humanity.
Inclusion and Participation
Value people with disabilities means to ensure their full participation in the social, cultural, education and work. This is not to “integrate” those who are different, but to build environments that are accessible, open and flexible, in which every person can realize their full potential.
3. Self-determination: the right and the foundation of inclusion
What It Means To Self-Determination
L’self-determination is the ability – and the right – of make decisions in a free and conscious on their lives: where to live, what to study, what job do, with whom to have relationships. It's the opposite ofwelfare liabilities.
Towards Full Citizenship
Promoting self-determination of people with disabilities implies:
- provide accessible information
- guarantee media communication and mobility
- respect the time, the will and preferences of the individual
- create custom routes to support the independence
The role of Families, of the Services of the Company
Families, educators, social and health workers need to take on a role of facilitators, not substitutes. The challenge is to move from a logic of protection logic empowerment: support without intruding, accompany without directing.
In conclusion, it is possible to say that the road to the the full recognition of people with disabilities is still in progress, but the change is already in place. The words have the power to transform the culture: use language that is respectful, person-centred, is the first step toward a society that is truly inclusive. The value and the self-determination are not concessions, but inalienable rights. Recognize them and to protect them is a duty of all.
Call to action:
The right words build a more inclusive society. Join you just need to change. Racconta la tua esperienza su rightforinclusion.en or write to info@rightforinclusion.it e invita altri al cambiamento.