Understanding disability

Disability can take many forms. It can be physical, mental, intellectual, neurological, or sensory experiences. It can be visible or invisible. Disability can be short-term or long-term, temporary or permanent, and can be present at birth or acquired later in life. When combined with an inaccessible society, it can affect a person’s ability to participate in the same way as everyone else.

Disability can intersect with other parts of a person’s identity, including Aboriginality, gender, age, religion, cultural and linguistic background, sexuality, and more. The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) acknowledges the additional barriers felt by people with intersecting identities.

The social model of disability acknowledges that a person’s disability is not what is disabling. Instead, the barriers they experience are from a society made up of inaccessible physical spaces, attitudes, and communications. The social model strongly influences how DCJ understands disability. DCJ is committed to reducing and removing barriers so that people with disability can fully participate and contribute to their community.

The human rights model of disability emphasises that disability is natural and valid. In 2008, Australia agreed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. People with disability have the same rights as everyone else. DCJ also considers the human rights model in how we understand disability. This means that DCJ and our communities have a responsibility to ensure people with disability can exercise their rights, make informed decisions, and have their dignity respected.

These two models go together and guide how DCJ will make changes to become a more inclusive organisation. This includes actively involving people with lived experience of disability in the design of policies affecting them.

Acknowledgement of people with disability

The Department of Communities and Justice acknowledges the lived experience of people with disability and their family members, carers and supporters.

We value the input of people with disability and the general community in developing this plan. The actions in this paper are drawn from multiple sources and reflect the feedback and discussions from across the disability sector, people with disability, and the wider community.

Inclusive language

Language affects how people see and understand disability. Inclusive language promotes respect, empathy, and equity. When we use inclusive language, we value and respect the wide diversity of people.

DCJ will use inclusive language in all our messages. We also encourage everyone to use inclusive language.

If you are unsure what someone prefers, it is good to ask them. It is best practice to use the language that people with lived experience prefer.

DCJ recognises that Aboriginal peoples may have a very different understanding of disability, and in many traditional languages there is no word for disability. We also recognise that different cultures may interpret disability differently.

Person-first and identity-first language

DCJ usually uses person-first language when referring to people with disability. We do this to put the focus on the person and not their disability.

Some people with disability and some disability communities prefer identity-first language. Some communities may not identify with disability and instead identify as a cultural group.

DCJ recognises and respects individual and community preferences and will use them when appropriate.