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Transability and hard core disability rights activists
Written by Sean on Friday, August 20, 2004
A lot of people with disabilities get really upset by people who are transabled. And I recognise that is a valid feeling (aren’t all feelings valid anyway?). But there may be more than a few that actually might like the concept.
There are many hard core disability rights activists who say that there is nothing wrong with having a disability. They say the problem with disabilities actually come from a non-accessible society. The problem is not that one uses a wheelchair, but that there are steps and stairs all over the place. The problem is not that one is Deaf, but rather that almost no one can sign. I must admit, by and large, I agree with that
Within those circles, it is discussed that doing prevention is something to be considered carefully. How can we tell people to be careful when doing activity XYZ, because they might injure themselves, if in fact there is nothing wrong with having a disability. The position is hard to hold effectively. If there is no problem with being a para, then one shouldn’t care too much about prevention, right? Of course, there are many holes in that line of thinking. The $ cost on society, and on the individual is certainly one to consider.
And to be honest, there are problems that come from having a disability, even some that are not imposed by a non-accessible society. Chronic pain comes to mind. But let’s play along. Let’s pretend for a moment (no pun intended), that the only problems with having a disability are imposed by society.
Would it not follow, then, that if there is no problem with having a disability, there shouldn’t be a problem if people want to be disabled. And so I suggest that we might be finding real support in the middle of the staunchest of disability rights activists. In theory, and in a perfect world.
Thing is, we’re not living in a perfect world, far from it. And I certainly won’t be the first one to bring this idea up in front of my friends in the disability rights. I don’t want to take the risk of being tarred and feathered, or worse…
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