Introduction
Recent years have witnessed widespread discussions around the connotations of the word “disability”, and whether it is the appropriate term to describe the group it is now associated with. A prominent figure in this community, Robert M. Hensel, challenges this term by claiming: "I choose not to place 'DIS' in my ability." This powerful quote encapsulates the essence of this paper, where I aim to explore how current societal norms often confine individuals with disabilities within a narrative of limitation and incapacity. By examining historical contexts, societal implications of labeling, and current efforts towards inclusivity, this paper proposes a more diversified value system that celebrates differences in bodily differences instead of creating binary oppositions.
Disability and Society: A Historical Overview
The earliest known use of the noun “disability” is in the mid 1500s. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary's earliest evidence for disability is from 1545(Merriam-Webster, n.d.), in the writing of Roger Ascham, author and royal tutor. The widespread usage of the term “disability” coincides with the arrival of the industrial revolution(Turner, D. M., et al., 2018). In those years, people were increasingly valued for their ability to produce like machines. Thus, people with disabilities who couldn’t conform to the standard of worker’s physical power were regarded as incapable and worthless in society. The terms “disability” and “disabled” have been kept till today, while they haven’t been able to keep up with societal progress and advancement, now that we have moved past rapid industrialization and the value of individuals should be assessed more holistically. Therefore, the perspectives ingrained in terms above-mentioned, specifically that humans were only perceived and regarded according to their productivity, has become far outdated.
The Impact of Group Labeling
Group labeling happens when society defines a group of people with one of its mutual features. The practice of labeling simplifies and overgeneralizes individuals as it magnifies a certain characteristic, overlooking the intrinsic diversity of an entity. Though the term of label nominally stays neutral, it is in some circumstances spitefully used and causes negative impacts on the labeled group as derogatory labels express contempt and derision, and, as carriers of stigma, they represent mechanisms of social control that reinforce a group’s disempowered state (Mullen & Johnson, 1993). Labels such as “overweight” and “queer” underscore the social malice against individuals not appearing or behaving according to the conventional social norm.
In the case of disability, the prefix “dis-” is mostly used to signal the opposite of the original meaning of the word, as seen in words such as “disconnection”, “ disappear”, “disagree”, etc. It is then easy to understand why the label “disability” could signal the binary division of human beings into groups that are either “with abilities” or those without. More importantly, the term “disability” is rooted in “the cultural assumption that equality/sameness/similarity is always desired by those in society.”(Henri-Jacques Stike, 2019) This name not only exposes the natural deficit of individuals but more often than not, denies the overall ability from all aspects, showcasing the intolerance of individualism and the limitation of social norms. With the overshadowing narrative of “disability”, the society perpetuates stereotypes of dependency and helplessness, implying that individuals with disabilities are unable to take care of themselves or contribute meaningfully to society, undermining their autonomy, agency, and sense of empowerment. Therefore, it is crucial that societal narratives change this label into alternatives such as “individuals with access needs” or “the differently abled”, to name a few, in order to emphasize societal responsibility of providing access to all individuals, rather than creating binary divisions and singling out people with access needs.
The Ableism Paradox
Despite constituting approximately 16% of the global population, individuals with access in many sectors either remain ignored, or were advertised as “success stories” for achieving the same results as “ordinary people”. A prominent example would be found in the fashion and beauty industry. While initiatives by major beauty corporations have launched their DEI(Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) initiatives targeting individuals with access needs, these efforts mostly “focus on communication and marketing”(Chitrakorn, K., 2021), such as hiring individuals with access needs as models, instead of creating products that truly serve them.
However, these marketing campaigns demonstrated the “ableism paradox” as explained in a recent Finnish study(Lundberg, C. S., 2022), where the author argues that while using success stories to extol the contribution of this marginalized group to the society, we in fact arouse anxiety upon the whole community of individuals of access needs by pushing them to live up to “normal standard” in order to prove that they are fully able. The messages these campaigns convey in fact perpetuate the idea that people with disabilities are to be pitied or inspirational rather than just normal human beings.”(Nathan and Finn, 2018). Therefore, the society as a whole needs to reflect: do people with access needs truly need these success stories to prove themselves as worthy or “normal” as the others, or what we need is something else more sensible, a shift in our narrative paradigm?
Reimagining Disability: Looking Towards the Future
To address the current issues mentioned requires multifaceted measures from all parties of society. Besides shifting the label from “the disabled” to “individuals with access needs”, the society needs more diversified narratives on how all people should be valued and treated, regardless or their functionalities both physically and mentally. The value of individuals shouldn’t be judged based on how closely they could conform to singularized social norms and standards, but rather how they could embrace their own uniqueness and achieve their own best. Every member of society comes with certain imperfections, and these imperfections shouldn’t be the most prominent feature for any individual to be recognized by and associated with. These changes in social values could take years to achieve, yet it relies on every individual of society, as wells as government, educational systems and all industries.
Conclusion
The societal labeling of disability often overshadows the inherent abilities of individuals, fostering environments of exclusion rather than inclusion. The essence of Robert M. Hensel’s quote lies in its call for a paradigm shift—from viewing disability as a series of limitations to recognizing and celebrating the diverse contribution and existence of every individual. To truly honor this ethos, it is imperative that industries, educational institutions, and policymakers endeavor to dismantle physical and psychological barriers, while the society as a whole learns to change our narratives associated with this community.
By challenging the traditional narratives surrounding disability, fostering environments that celebrate all forms of ability, and implementing concrete, actionable strategies towards inclusivity, society can move closer to a reality where the term ‘disability’ loses its power to diminish. Through this lens, every individual is seen as capable, contributing, and valued—not for their similarity to a standard but for their unique contributions to the diversity of human experience.
Bibliography
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Disability. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 31, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disability
Turner, D. M., Blackie, D. (2018). Disability in the Industrial Revolution. Manchester University Press.
Mullen, B., & Johnson, C. (1993). Cognitive representation in ethnophaulisms as a function of group size: The phenomenology of being in a group. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 19, 296-304 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1993-41037-001
Henri-Jacques Stike. (2019). A History of Disability. University of Michigan Press.
Kati Chitrakorn, (2021, Jun 30). Beauty weak spot: People with disabilities. Vogue Business.
Nathan and Finn. (2018). How Ableism Affects People with Disabilities. Washington Education. https://www.washington.edu/doit/how-ableism-affects-people-disabilities
Lundberg, C. S. (2022). Is There an Ableist Paradox in Frontline Workers’ Success Stories About Disability and Work Inclusion?. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 24(1), 1–14.DOI: https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.838