The social model of disability recognises that it is normal society which creates 'disability' by failing to give reasonable accommodation to people who are 'different' from the norm, whether physically or mentally or emotionally, or who have 'impairments', which certainly must include something like depression, severe anxiety, OCD or hearing voices which can get in the way of living in conventional society in a conventional way.

 

So we don't have to see ourselves as 'disabled' in the sense of being damaged  or less than others. But why should any 'disabled' person be considered less than others anyhow? But we can claim that society is disabling us by not making space for us to be who we are and by not giving us the help and support we need and deserve to live alongside others in a useful, constructive, integrated way.

 

The idea of 'reasonable accommodation' should be applied to us as much as to people who can't see, or people in wheelchairs, in that workplaces or work generally should be made accessible to us, in whatever way is suitable, such as allowing us to work from home, or to use iPod while working, or to have time off to see a therapist, or whatever is needed to enable us to do work that we can do and make a contribution to society. AND/OR to contribute by voluntary work rather than being forced into unsuitable jobs.

 

In this sense, whether or not we consider ourselves to have a 'mental illness' and whether or not our problems are long term and permanent or short term and fluctuating, we are covered by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and cannot be treated against our will, i.e. we have equal rights in relation to medical treatment with all other citizens. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/04/disability-claimants-work-assessments-atos?intcmp=239

 

 

As this story shows, people with long term physical and mental health disabilities are now being repeatedly harassed by one assessment after another, even if it is clearly demonstrable that they have a long term condition which makes it difficult or impossible for them to get paid work. Added to this Kafka-esque process of continual bureaucratic harassment there is an Orwellian 'Ministry of Truth' touch, where the DWP actually pretend this is all meant to help and support people:

 

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said that repeated reassessment was an important part of the process of applying for employment and support allowance (which has replaced incapacity benefit). "Even for claimants who are unlikely to see an improvement in their health, it is important that we do not write them off and are able to offer them further support where necessary," the spokesperson said.

 

If this were true, then where is the support element?  The person who is the subject of this story describes what it feels like, and the lack of any element of actual support since other services which might be expected to help him are absent or having funds cut:

 

 

Dalley said the process of repeatedly battling again the DWP was exhausting. "I feel persecuted. The system feels so faceless. I understand the logic of retesting people but all the doctors say my case is unlikely to improve," he said.

Despite being told he should search for work, he has had no support from a disability employment adviser, and the rehabilitation centre that used to support him has closed because of funding cuts.

 

IF all this harassment were actually intended to help people be able to do something more with their lives, there would at least be an option of voluntary work, which many disabled people can manage since their hours and tasks can be adapted to their limited or fluctuating health and capacity. But no, people are being actively discouraged from doing voluntary work as that is seen as proof they could be in paid employment if they chose to be.

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