Disability Perspectives: Models, Language, and Identity Katherine Deibel University of Washington

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities2 Opening comments This is not a replacement for a disability studies/ training course There will always be exceptions I have biases

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities3 Why “handicap” is a bad word Literal Definitions: Handicap = Restriction on performance Disabilty = Absence of an ability Lack of an ability ≠ Restricted performance Handicapping in Horse-Racing Weights are added to the saddles to compensate for differences among the jockeys

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities4 Definitions Disability: a human condition that differs from the norm with regard to a particular human ability Handicap: occurs when a disability interferes with the ability to perform a task

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities5 So what is accessibility? “Accessibility is the practice of arranging things within some context so that a disability is not a handicap.” Brian J. Rosmaita Department of Computer Science Hamilton College Clinton, NY

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities6 Interactions Language Choice Model of Disability

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities7 What is a model? In the STEM fields, a model: Represents a real-world system Is abstract or mathematical Is predictive In Critical Theory, a model: Is a specific viewpoint or philosophy Incorporates social, political, and economic factors Attempts to explain behaviour and phenomena

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities8 Moral Model of Disability Disability: is a punishment for wickedness / sin is a burden to the individual and others Associated with: Institutionalization Self-loathing Guilt Blame

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities9 Medical Model of Disability Disability: Is a flaw in the individual Requires medical treatment / fixing Limits a person’s livelihood Associated with: Medical innovation Legal definitions Fixation on normality / Ableism

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities10 Rehabilitation Model of Disabilty Disability: Is a deficiency that needs addressing Implies a person is in need of help Requires renormalization into society Associated with: WWII Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Offshoot of the medical model

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities11 Social Model of Disability Disability: Is a part of life Has both positive and negative aspects Is problematic only in relation to certain social and environmental factors Associated with: Recognizing discrimination Disability Rights Movement Inclusion / Universal Design

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities12 So which model is best? Bad question: These models are viewpoints, not predictors No evaluation function My opinion: Moral model is bad Social model and Medical model are both useful: Medical diagnoses and procedures are informative However, treatment should be optional Changes to external factors might be more effective than medical treatment Disability is part of diversity Disability can be positive and negative

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities13 Interactions Redux Model of Disability Language Choice

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities14 Models and Language ModelLanguage Moral cleansed, purified, burden, punishment Medical cure, treat, correct, suffers, confined, defect Rehabilitation reskilled, rehabilitated, trained, in need Social accommodation, integrate, inclusive, context

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities15 Unhandicapping the Language Goal: Choosing words that maintain the integrity of individuals as human beings Approaches: APA Style Guidelines People-First Language Not about political correctness

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities16 Rule 1: Focus on the Person Put the person first: - a person with dyslexia - individuals who are blind - a dyslexic person - blind individuals Do not turn an adjective into a noun: - the blind - dyslexics - the deaf****

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities17 Realities of Rule 1 “Individuals with _____” is unwieldy: takes up a lot of space breaks up the writing flow Kate’s Rule of Thumb: “Individuals with dyslexia”“dyslexic individuals”

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities18 Rule 2: Avoid “weighted” words Special Challenged Exceptional Visually-challenged Avoid euphemisms: Cripple Retard / Imbecile Spaz / “Joey” Schitzo / Psycho Avoid slurs: Confined Struggle Defect Challenged Overcome Heroic Avoid words with value judgments:

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities19 Rule 2 applies to pictures too They Shall Walk – A foundation to help disabled persons walk again

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities20 Realities of Rule 2 Context is always a factor: Retardation, spastic are medical terms Deficit is a common term in education Your model of disability is another: “Unfortunately, there is no treatment or intervention strategy that cures autism…. the attention deficit in children with autism results in an incorrect output, which we wish to correct using a controller.”

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities21 However… there are special cases Deaf or deaf deaf = limited or absent sense of hearing Deaf = describes a culture In culture discussions, saying “the Deaf” is as okay as saying “the Amish” Autism Rights: Beginnings of claims of “Autist culture” Argues for replacing “normal” with “neurotypical”

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities22 Practicality: Call for Study Participants Scout out or talk with people in the population first When in doubt, ask for how they describe their disability Two example calls of mine: “Do you have a learning disability or difficulty with reading?” “Do you have a physical, mobility, psychiatric, or mental disability OR are you Deaf or hard of hearing?”

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities23 Why do language and models matter? One word: Identity

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities24 Many Facets of Identity Internal Identity Known by the person Visible Identity Intentionally revealed by the person Social Identity Imposed by the social-environmental context

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities25 Disability is a part of identity Disability is an aspect of daily life Its presence is both positive and negative Its importance is shaped by context

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities26 Implications of Disability Identity Aversions to “cures” Deaf culture and cochlear implants The Autism Rights movement Hahn & Belt Paper Social implications of being “out” Learning disabilities and stigma Invisible disabilities and the hesitancy to seek out help “Acquisition of a child by a learning disability”

CSE 590 W - Computers and Disabilities27 Conclusions It’s complicated What is “It”? Disability People Language Identity Puppies Etc.