On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reflect that the reality for persons with disabilities is often one of inequality and of neglect by others. ANDY HAMILTON SJ writes that in all our personal and public relationships with persons with disabilities we must ensure that they can exercise agency in their lives.
The naming of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is important. Some years ago we might have called it the day ‘for the disabled’, or the day for ‘people who suffer from disabilities’. Both ways of speaking saw people through the lens of their disability. When we think of ‘persons with disabilities’ we make our lens the person for whom their disability is just one feature of their life. They may see it in many different ways. The name of the day reminds us that each person is of unique value. We are equal and must relate to one another as equals. That principle guides all our relationships in Jesuit Social Services.
Disabilities, however, can create inequalities and an imbalance of power. Persons without legs cannot climb stairs. Persons who cannot see cannot read most books. In order to flourish, like all of us, they will need the support of others to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from living a full life.
A healthy society will address these and other inequalities in society by addressing the effects of inequality. It will protect persons whose intellectual disability makes them vulnerable to violence and exploitation. It will require schools and public buildings to ensure access through lifts as well as stairs. It will provide housing suitable for persons with different needs.
In all our personal and public relationships with persons with disabilities we must ensure that they can exercise agency in their lives. They must be consulted, make decisions, be free to travel, mix freely with others in their education and housing and find encouragement to build equal relationships.
That is the ideal. In Australia, however, the reality for persons with disabilities is one of inequality and of neglect by others. They often meet prejudice, are seen through the lens of their disability and not their humanity, and are treated as the objects of care and not agents. Despite the moving and shocking evidence at the Disability Royal Commission, the Government accepted in full only six of its Recommendations. Measured by the goals set by governments for ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access to education, home settings, employment, equality before the law and freedom from discrimination, their treatment by Governments has been shameful.
This year the Day for Persons with Disabilities focuses on leadership. Its theme is ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’. We should welcome their voice, listen to it, and support them in their work for reform.
