This section develops an important idea: disability should neither be exaggerated nor erased.
The goal is to talk about disability accurately, respectfully, and naturally.
1. Disability is part of human diversity
Disability is a normal part of human diversity and human life.
People with disabilities should not automatically be portrayed as:
- Inspirational
- Superhuman
- Courageous simply because they have a disability
- Brave simply because they live with a disability
- People who have “overcome” their disability
Why?
Describing someone as “inspirational” or “superhuman” simply because they are disabled can unintentionally suggest:
“It is extraordinary for a disabled person to succeed or have a happy and fulfilling life.”
That can actually reinforce low expectations and stereotypes.
A person with a disability can have:
- Talents
- Skills
- Careers
- Relationships
- Goals
- Hobbies
- Successes
- Failures
- Ordinary everyday experiences
They are people first—not inspirational stories simply because they are disabled.
2. Avoid patronising language
Words such as:
- “Courageous”
- “Brave”
- “Overcame their disability”
- “Superhuman”
can become patronising when they are used simply because someone has a disability.
For example:
❌ “She is so brave for going to university despite being disabled.”
This can imply that attending university is unusual or extraordinary for a disabled person.
A better approach is to focus on what she actually accomplished:
✅ “She successfully completed her university degree.”
The achievement can be recognised without making the disability the story.
3. “Survivor” and “battle” language
The passage also discusses terms such as:
- Brain injury survivor
- Stroke survivor
- Battling cancer
- Fighting a disease
These expressions are commonly used, but not everyone likes them.
Why can “battle” language be problematic?
It creates a war metaphor, where illness or disability becomes something a person must fight.
Some people find this language:
- Inappropriate
- Unhelpful
- Offensive
- Blaming
For example, saying someone “lost their battle” with an illness can unintentionally suggest that the person somehow failed.
Important point
These terms aren't universally considered wrong, but you shouldn't assume they're appropriate for everyone.
4. Don't assume people with disabilities are inherently vulnerable
This is one of the most important concepts in the passage.
The text challenges the idea that:
Disability automatically makes someone vulnerable.
Instead, vulnerability can be created by external circumstances and barriers.
For example, a person may become vulnerable because of:
- Lack of accessible transportation
- Communication barriers
- Lack of support
- Physical inaccessibility
- Discrimination
- Social isolation
- Lack of information
- Abuse or exploitation
Vulnerability can change
A person might be vulnerable in one situation but not another.
For example:
Someone might face increased risk of gender-based violence but not necessarily have increased risk of identity theft.
Therefore, we should not treat vulnerability as an automatic characteristic of every disabled person.
5. The social model connection
This connects very strongly with the social model of disability you've been studying.
Instead of asking:
“What's wrong with this person?”
we can ask:
“What barriers or circumstances are creating difficulties for this person?”
For example:
Person uses a wheelchair
↓
Building has stairs but no ramp
↓
Person cannot enter
The problem isn't simply the person's impairment.
The inaccessible environment creates the barrier.
6. Don't mention disability unless it is relevant
The passage also recommends avoiding unnecessary labeling.
You don't need to mention someone's disability simply because you know they have one.
Instead, focus on the person's:
- Skills
- Abilities
- Requirements
- Experience
- Role
- Communication method
Example from the passage
Suppose you are discussing the quality of Braille documents.
Instead of saying:
❌ “Our blind colleague checked the document.”
You could say:
✅ “Our colleague who reads Braille checked the document.”
Or:
✅ “Our Braille user reviewed the document.”
Why?
Because the relevant information is their ability to read Braille, not their blindness.
7. But don't make disability invisible
This is an equally important point.
The message is not:
“Never talk about disability.”
Instead:
Talk about disability when it is relevant and important.
Disability should be included in:
- Policies
- Education
- Workplace discussions
- Accessibility planning
- Service provision
- Research
- Representation
- Advocacy
- Inclusion discussions
People with disabilities have historically been excluded, ignored, underrepresented, or left behind.
Therefore, avoiding all discussion of disability can create another problem: invisibility.
⭐ The Balance
The central message can be remembered as:
Don't exaggerate disability.
Don't portray disabled people as superheroes simply because they are disabled.
Don't stereotype disability.
Don't assume every disabled person is vulnerable or incapable.
Don't hide disability.
Disability inclusion and accessibility need to be openly discussed.
Don't make assumptions.
Ask what the person needs and respect how they identify.
Focus on the person.
Talk about their skills, abilities, interests, requirements, and achievements.
Easy-Read Summary
Disability is part of human diversity.
People with disabilities do not need to be described as:
- “Superhuman”
- “Brave”
- “Courageous”
- “Inspirational”
just because they have a disability.
These descriptions can sometimes suggest that disabled people are not normally expected to succeed.
People with disabilities are also not automatically vulnerable. Barriers, discrimination, lack of support, and unsafe situations can create vulnerability.
We should also avoid talking about someone's disability when it isn't relevant.
However, we should not hide disability either.
Disability needs to be openly and respectfully included in:
education + services + workplaces + policies + conversations + representation.
⭐ Key principle
Disability should be neither sensationalized nor made invisible. It should be discussed accurately, respectfully, and when relevant.
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