Exclusion of Disabled People: A Part of Our Ugly History

This essay, titled "Exclusion of Disabled People: A Part of Our Ugly History," examines the historical and ongoing exclusion of disabled individuals in Australia. It begins by highlighting the prevalence of disability and its impact on individuals' lives, emphasizing the role of societal attitudes, values, and beliefs in shaping the experiences of disabled people. The essay explores barriers to inclusion, including inaccessible infrastructure, discriminatory attitudes, and failures in legislation. It then delves into the social model of disability, contrasting it with the medical model and highlighting its focus on removing societal barriers. The essay also discusses the negative attitudes of society and healthcare staff, which hinder the population to live an independent life. Furthermore, it references initiatives like the National Disability Strategy and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, emphasizing the importance of healthcare professionals, community involvement, and policy development. The essay concludes by advocating for a positive attitude from the community, improved accessibility, and ongoing training to support disabled people and promote their independence.

Running head: OPINION EDITORIAL
OPINION EDITORIAL
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note

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OPINION EDITORIAL
Title: exclusion of disabled people: a part of our ugly history
Date: 17th December 2019
By student name
The opener:
Disability has emerged as one of the most common public health issues affecting the
population around the globe. Approximately more than 4.4 million individuals in Australia are
experiencing some form of disability, accounting for 1 in 5 people. The probability of existing
with disability intensifying with age since 2 out of 5 individuals living with a disability are 65
years or more than 65 years (Australian network of disability, 2019). Even in the global context,
individuals with a disability are experiencing disability not only because of the impairment but
also because of the attitude of society. In this context, we need to realize that by changing
attitudes, values, and beliefs and communicating with the community, we can provide a

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population life of independence and purpose. Hence, convincing that disabled people are a
fundamental part of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State are necessary
actions that promote the common good.
The body:
Individuals with disabilities in Australia continue to experience barriers that prevent
them from exploring their full civil, political, social, economic, cultural and developmental
rights. This exclusion of disabled people from society is largely due to awareness, ignorance, and
prejudice in our society. In addition, since some legislation fails to safeguard the rights of
individuals with disabilities, these individuals experience difficulties associated with
transportation, access to health care services, public building. Public transports lack of specific
area for accommodating a wheelchair and public building without a private lift to accommodate
wheelchair are common instances that highlight the issues experienced by disabled people.
The history of the social model of disability begins with the history of the disability
movement in the United Kingdom in 1975 where the model stated, “disability is caused by the
way society is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference”. This model is
different from the medical model of disability which since it looks at ways of removing barriers
that limit life choices for disabled people (Goering, 2015). By overcoming the barrier, disabled
people can be independent and equal in society with life choices. Apart from the accessibility,
the negative and discriminating attitude of the society and health care staff towards disabled
people hinder the population to live an independent life. It is often common phenomena in our
society that health professionals and other individuals treat the disabled population without
necessary respect which breached the common rights of the disabled people and subject them to
high psychological distress (Ruhindwa, Randall & Cartmel, 2016). At the local and global levels,

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social exclusion is one of the common instances experienced by disabled people and it also
subjects them to abuse which impacted their quality of life. Even a diverse part of the globe the
majority of the disabled population are struggling with employment which hinders them to have
a normal life (Ruhindwa, Randall & Cartmel, 2016).
Action:
National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and national disability insurance scheme are
small but effective initiatives by the Australian federal government towards overcoming the issue
“exclusion of disable people” and promotion of the common good (Australian government
department of social service, 2019). The health care professionals, especially nursing
professionals and social workers must increase the participation of the people and their families
in the social, cultural and recreational life in the community (Thill, 2015). Improving
accessibility to the building and natural environment through planning and development of
policy is the fundamental part of promoting the common good by nurses as it recognizes the duty
of care of the nursing professionals to serve the society (Poudel & Baral, 2017). To promote the
common good, nursing professionals are required to develop advocacy and improve awareness
regarding the improved provision of accessible and well-designed housing and public
transportation with the choice of this population. Each member of the community is required to
develop a positive attitude towards the disable people and collaborate with the governing body to
provide the best possible care to the population (Wiesel & Bigby, 2015). It is the legal obligation
of the professionals to involve in the training and workshops so that they can meet the unique
need of the disabled people and overcome the communication barriers. It will not only reduce the

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high burden of the condition around the globe but also empower the population to live an
independent life.
References:
Australian government department of social service (2019). Retrieved 17 December 2019, from
https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2012/national_disability_strateg
y_2010__2020_summary.pdf
Australian network of disability. (2019). Disability Statistics. Retrieved 17 December 2019, from
https://www.and.org.au/pages/disability-statistics.html
Goering, S. (2015). Rethinking disability: the social model of disability and chronic
disease. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 8(2), 134-138.
Poudel, C., & Baral, R. (2017). An Assessment of Cost of Access to Health Services of Severely
Disabled People in Chitwan. Economic Journal of Development Issues, 102-112.
Ruhindwa, A., Randall, C., & Cartmel, J. (2016). Exploring the challenges experienced by
people with disabilities in the employment sector in Australia: Advocating for inclusive
practice‐a review of literature. Journal of Social Inclusion, 7(1).
Thill, C. (2015). Listening for policy change: how the voices of disabled people shaped
Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme. Disability & Society, 30(1), 15-28.

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Wiesel, I., & Bigby, C. (2015). Movement on shifting sands: Deinstitutionalisation and people
with intellectual disability in Australia, 1974–2014. Urban Policy and Research, 33(2),
178-194.