月: 2024年7月

The Social Model Matters

Part 5 of 5 in our Social Model of Disability Blog Series…

Click here to jump to Easy Read version.

Central heading reads "The Social Model Matters". "Matters" is in pink font and the rest of the heading is in black. Text beneath reads "Part 5 of 5 in our Social Model series..." in black. Circular photo top right of a hand holding a white and gold sign that reads "let's get social" in all capitals and black font. Passenger Assistance logo top left, a teal P with Passenger Assistance to its right in black text. Pale grey background.

Challenging Problematic Models

The Social Model moves us away from the Medical and Charity Models of Disability. 

It shifts the focus from impairments to our collective societal obligation to remove barriers to access, and create an equitable world that is inclusive of everyone. 

Heading reads "Social Equity" with text beneath reading "Social equity refers to equal, fair, and just social policy, practice and behaviour." Beneath is a subheading "How does it differ from equality?" A teal textbox underneath this reads "Achieving equity involves recognising that equal access to services, opportunities and experiences must recognise the diverse needs of individuals." Pale grey background with black text.

At Transreport

We believe travel should be equitable. Everyone should have access to the same richness of experience when travelling. 

We envision a world where travel experiences are accessible, and technology solutions work alongside inclusion in action. 

The Social Model of Disability underpins our approach as we continue to strive for accessible travel for each and every customer.

Teal speech marks top left. Central quote reads "'Disability' is the oppression and inequality that people with impairments experience as a result of these barriers, and it is possible to envisage a society in which these barriers are overcome." in black and pink font with "-Jenny Morris" beneath in black font. Pale grey background.

Easy Read Version

Graphic of 8 hands creating a heart shape, with each hand wearing a different colourful patterned sleeve. Text to the right of the graphic reads "The Social Model is different from the Medical and Charity Models of Disability. It talks about removing barriers so everyone can take part." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of 3 people working together in an office: A lady with blonde hair who is a wheelchair user and is smiling, wearing a purple suit and working at a desk with a laptop on; a man with a yellow jumper, purple trousers and ginger hair, pointing at an orange graph on a purple presentation board and smiling; and a woman in a purple cardigan with a yellow headscarf, leaning forwards over a purple folder on the desk and smiling. Text to the right of the graphic reads "The Social Model says everyone should get what they need to take part in the world." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Teal P Passenger Assistance logo. Text to the right reads "At Transreport, we think everyone should be able to enjoy travel." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a green suitcase with a yellow handle and yellow straps, patterned with mint green planes, pink hearts and yellow sunshines. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Travel should be safe and enjoyable." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of 2 hands in pink sleeves cupping a heart shape that is patterned in blue and green like a globe, with smaller pink hearts surrounding it. Text to the right of the graphic reads "We want a world where travel is easier for everyone." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.

Defining Barriers

Part 4 of 5 in our Social Model of Disability Blog Series…

Click here to jump to Easy Read version.

Central heading reads "Defining Barriers" in black and pink font on a pale grey background with "Part 4 of 5 in our Social Model series..." underneath in black. Circular photo top right of a hand holding a white and gold sign reading "Let's get social" in all capitals and black font. Passenger Assistance logo top left, a teal P with Passenger Assistance to its right in black font.

Definition

The Social Model of Disability outlines that environmental and social barriers have a disabling impact on people with impairments. 

These barriers prevent access and perpetuate discrimination and exclusion. 

An inclusive society is an accessible society. Dismantling disabling barriers is therefore imperative for social equity. 

Top central heading reads "Categories" with 3 teal bubbles arranged below in an upside down triangle shape. The top left bubble reads "Physical", the bubble to its right reads "Attitudinal" and the bubble below reads "Informational". Black text and a pale grey background.

  • Physical barriers relate to the physical environment, e.g. building infrastructure, aisle width, lack of step-free access. 
  • Attitudinal barriers refer to people’s perceptions of disability and include ableism, both conscious and internalised.  
  • Informational barriers relate to communication. For example, the absence of a BSL interpreter at an event, or lack of alt text on images. 
  • These are just three barrier categories – there are many more and they often intersect!

At Transreport

The purpose of our Passenger Assistance technology is to reduce barriers that Disabled and older people face when travelling. 

Technology and innovation play an important role in fostering inclusion. Our technology is not a solution for an inaccessible society. 

It provides an additional option for communicating access needs, to empower choice and communication.

Teal speech marks top left. Central quote reads "It has enabled a vision of ourselves free from the constraints of disability" in black font and then "and provided a direction for our commitment to social change" in pink font. Beneath the quote is "- Liz Crow" in black font. Pale grey background.

Easy Read Version

Graphic of a yellow and black striped barrier with a red no entry sign in a white circle in the middle. Text to the right of the graphic reads "The Social Model says people are disabled by barriers in the world around them. A barrier is something which makes you less able to take part." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a man with short brown hair, a white shirt, blue trousers and brown shoes, breaking through a brick wall with a sledgehammer and smiling. Text to the right of the graphic reads "We need to remove barriers so everyone can take part." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a white wheelchair ramp inside a blue circle. Text to the right of the graphic reads "There are lots of different barriers. One could be physical barriers. Like no step-free access for wheelchair users." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a woman with short dark curly hair, an orange t-shirt, blue trousers and orange shoes, standing with one hand on her hip and the other outstretched pointing at someone. Her mouth is open as if she is shouting and she wears an angry expression. Text to the right of the graphic reads "What people think and feel can also be a barrier. They make think disability is bad." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a purple and green photo icon overlapping a yellow square with black lines on that represents paper with writing on. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Barriers can also be about the way we write and talk. Like not saying what a photo is with words. Or not having a choice in how we get information." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a venn diagram with 3 overlapping circles labelled A, B and C. Circle A is red, B is yellow and C is blue. Text to the right of the graphic reads "There are lots of different barriers. Some people may have more than one barrier." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Teal P Passenger Assistance logo. Text to the right reads "We created our Passenger Assistance technology to reduce barriers for Disabled and older people when travelling." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.

Inclusive Language

Part 3 of 5 in our Social Model of Disability Blog Series…

Click here to jump to Easy Read version.

Central heading reads "Inclusive Language" in black and pink text on a pale grey background. Text beneath this reads "Part 3 of 5 in our Social Model series..." Circular photo top right of a hand holding a white and gold sign with "let's get social" in all capitals and black font. Passenger Assistance logo top left, a teal P with Passenger Assistance to its right in black font.

Background

Language is a powerful tool for defining social groups, and the language we use has real implications. 

Historically, the language used to describe Disabled people has been medicalised or pitying, reflecting social perceptions of disability as negative. 

The language used is largely influenced by the Medical and Charity Models of Disability. 

The Social Model moves away from this type of language to more positive and accurate framing of experience. 

Medicalised or charitable descriptions of disability exacerbate negative stereotypes and contribute to ableism. 

Inclusive language refutes the idea of Disabled people as vulnerable and emphasises the importance of identity.

Teal textbox reads ""Language has always had the power to define cultural groups." - Haller et al" in black font. Pale grey background.

Identity First

Many Disabled people adopt identity-first language because it forefronts disability. 

For example “Disabled person” is identity-first. Whereas “A person who is disabled” is person-first language. 

Identity-first language can be related to disability pride. 

It also links to the Social Model because it emphasises people with impairments are disabled by society. 

This places responsibility on society itself to be more accessible.

Individual Preference

  1. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the language they use to describe themselves. Disabled people are not a homogenous group. 
  1. Identity is an individual experience. It is important to be respectful of everyone’s preferred language. 

At Transreport

We are a Social Model aligned company and we use identity-first language. 

We recognise language shapes how we see each other, and the value we place on cultural groups. 

Accessibility and inclusion is at the core of our ethos. We circulate best practice guides for language for internal colleagues and external partners.

Teal speech marks top left. Central quote reads "Language can diminish or empower people" in pink and then "and what is acceptable to Disabled people changes over time, culture and location." in black. With "- Lynn Wilson & Nicola Martin" beneath in black font. Pale grey background.

Easy Read Version

Graphic of a blue book with white text on the cover reading "Dictionary A-Z" in white font and capital letters with a red ribbon bookmark. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Language is powerful. The language we use can make people feel different things." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a clipboard with cream paper and a blue cross in a circle. Text to the right of the graphic reads "When people talk about disability they can focus on what is "wrong" with the person. This is the Medical Model of Disability." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a grey box with the word "donations" on it and 3 hands in different coloured sleeves putting items in the box. The hand with the blue sleeve is dropping a dollar in the box, the hand with the yellow sleeve is dropping a heart shape and the hand with the orange sleeve is dropping a card. Text to the right of the graphic reads "When people talk about disability they can also think Disabled people need to be taken care of. This is the Charity Model of Disability." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a woman with long brown hair and a white t-shirt holding her had up with the word "no" written on her palm in big capital letters. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Thinking in this way can be unhelpful because it thinks disability is bad." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a white thumbs up emoji in a green circle. Text to the right of the graphic reads "The Social Model does not do this. It changes the idea that Disabled people need to be helped or changed." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of 3 black horizontal lines, one underneath the other. Each line has a different coloured heart on the left hand side (top line has red, middle has green and bottom has blue). Each line also has a yellow circle at a different point along the line. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Some people like to say Disabled person. Some people like to say person with a disability." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of 2 cupped palms in blue sleeves holding 3 people icons, one in a green shirt, one in a red shirt, and one in a yellow shirt. Text to the right of the graphic reads ""Disabled person" puts the word disabled first. This shows people with impairments are disabled by barriers around them." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a pink and yellow striped party popper surrounded by yellow stars and blue circles. Text to the right reads "The words "Disabled person" can show people are proud to be Disabled. This is Disability Pride. Disability Pride celebrates not thinking disability is bad." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a hand pointing at a yellow circle with a white tick inside. Beside this is another circle, this time red with a white x inside. Text to the right of the graphic reads "People use different words to talk about themselves." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Teal P Passenger Assistance logo. To the right, text reads "Transreport uses the Social Model. We say Disabled people." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.

Defining Disability

Part 2 of 5 in our Social Model of Disability Blog Series…

Click here to jump to Easy Read version.

Central heading reads "Defining Disability" in black and pink font on a pale grey background. Black text beneath this reads "Part 2 of 5 in our Social Model series..." Black circular photo top right of a hand holding a white and gold sign that reads "Let's get social" in capital letters and black font. Passenger Assistance logo top left, a teal P with Passenger Assistance to its right in black.

The Social Model of Disability makes a very clear distinction between disability and impairment. 

“a focus not on the individual and impairment as the problem but on the need to address social, economic and environmental barriers” 

– Jenny Morris

Pale grey background with a teal line down the middle. Pink box on the left contains the heading "Impairment" and beneath this is the text "A person's individual difference such as being deaf or visually impaired. Impairments can be physical, cognitive or sensory." On the other side of the teal line, pink box with the heading "Disability" with text below reading "The social consequence of disabling barriers faced by people who have impairments. Recognising that disability is socially constructed means barriers can be removed." Black text.

Personal Experience

The Social Model of Disability does not look to erase the experience of having an impairment. 

But it emphasises that inequality, ableism and exclusion are not consequences of having an impairment – rather, they are caused by the way society is organised.

In a Nutshell…

“The social model doesn’t deny the importance of impairment. It actually enables us to focus on our needs relating to impairment, because it means we can separate these out from the disabling barriers we experience.” 

– Jenny Morris

At Transreport

Our Passenger Assistance technology was designed by Disabled people for Disabled people. The process for requesting travel assistance should be simple, humanised, and inclusive. 

When you use Passenger Assistance, we are focused on accommodating access needs and reducing barriers. You will never be asked to disclose specific information about a medical condition or impairment. 

A set of teal speech marks top left on a pale grey background. Central quote reads "a person is disabled when he or she is socially prevented from full participation by the way society is arranged" in black and pink font with "- Vic Finkelstein" below in black font.

Easy Read Version

Graphic of a yellow lightbulb radiating light. Text to the right reads "The Social Model says disability and impairment are different." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a woman's side profile. She has blue hair a pink shirt and a hearing aid. Text to the right reads "Impairment is a person's difference. For example, being deaf or visually impaired." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of an orange barrier with an orange and white striped sign. Text to the right reads "People with impairments might have barriers in the world around them. Barriers make you less able to take part. This is called disability." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a woman with a short sleeved blue collared shirt and brown hair, speaking into a white megaphone and holding a white picket sign. Text to the right reads "This does not mean people do not have impairments. People can change or remove barriers." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Pink graphic of 2 cupped hands with 3 people icons above. Text to the right reads "People are left out when the world has barriers. Removing barriers means we can all be included." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Teal Passenger Assistance logo. Text to the right reads "Our Passenger Assistance technology was made by Disabled people for Disabled people." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Teal graphic of 2 hands holding a heart shape. Text to the right reads "You will never be asked to give medical information when you use Passenger Assistance. Passenger Assistance lets you tell people what you need for safe and simple travel." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.

Social Model Explained

Part 1 of 5 in our Social Model of Disability Blog Series…

Click here to jump to Easy Read version.

A pink rectangle takes up the bottom half of the image, containing the white heading "Social Model of Disability". White background with 2 teal semi-circles above this, cutouts of the "P" Passenger Assistance logo. Circular photo on the right shows a hand holding a white and gold sign which reads "let's get social" in capital letters and black font. The Passenger Assistance logo sits top left, a teal P with Passenger Assistance to its right in black.

The History

In the 1960s and 1970s, the UK Disabled People’s Rights Movement was gaining momentum. Disabled people began to collectively challenge social exclusion, and demand equal access. 

This included challenging problematic and unhelpful frameworks for understanding disability at the time, including the Medical and Charity Models of Disability – more on those later in the series! 

The Social Model of Disability has its roots in the work of the UPIAS (Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation). The union pushed to move away from the narrative of disability as a medical or charity issue, to a civil rights and equality issue. 

The Social Model was given its name in 1983 by Mike Oliver, a disabled academic and activist who is widely recognised as one of the instrumental advocates for the model.

Key Messaging

  1. People are disabled by barriers in their environment, not by their impairment or difference. 
  2. There are many types of barriers. For example, barriers can be physical, attitudinal, or related to information and communication. 
  3. By identifying disabling barriers, we can remove them. The Social Model acts as a tool to drive social change. 

At Transreport

We are aligned to the Social Model of Disability and envision an inclusive world for all. 

Our Passenger Assistance technology was developed in direct response to societal barriers to access, to simplify the process of requesting assistance for journeys for Disabled people. 

We believe that everyone should experience equal access to safe, dignified, inclusive travel.

Pale grey background with a set of teal speech marks top left. The central quote reads "the social model is not about the personal experience of impairment but the collective experience of disablement" in black and pink text. "- Mike Oliver" is underneath in grey.

Easy Read Version

Graphic of a brown book with "History" on its cover in gold. To the right of the graphic, text reads "The Social Model of Disability began in the 1960s with the UK Disabled People's Rights Movement. It was given its name by a Disabled academic Mike Oliver in 1983." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a blue barrier with a circular red no entry sign in the middle of it. To the right of the graphic, text reads "The Social Model says people are disabled by barriers in the world around them." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a raised hand with a pink circle overlapping the palm which contains a white "x". Text to the right of the graphic reads "A barrier is something which makes you less able to take part." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of an orange and white striped rectangular barrier. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Barriers can be: Physical, Attitudes, Information" in a bullet point list. Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a man with short brown hair, a white shirt, navy trousers and brown shoes, kicking a grey barrier with has smashed to pieces. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Understanding what the barriers are means we can remove them." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a pink brain with arms, legs and a smiley face, holding a yellow lightbulb. Text to the right of the graphic reads "The Social Model of Disability is a way of thinking about disability. It can change the way people think." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Teal P Passenger Assistance logo. To the right, text reads "We use the Social Model of Disability at Transreport. We created our Passenger Assistance technology to reduce barriers." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.
Graphic of a grey and green train with yellow headlights, show from the front on a grey track beside a grey platform. Text to the right of the graphic reads "Everyone should have safe and inclusive travel." Black text on a white background with a teal frame.