Changing The Way We Talk About Disability | Amy Oulton | TEDxBrighton

Summary

The speaker shares her personal journey with disability, addressing the misconceptions and stereotypes often imposed on disabled individuals. She discusses the challenges of navigating a world not designed for accessibility, the complexities of public perception, and the importance of open conversations about disability. Her experiences, from overcoming physical barriers to traveling in Southeast Asia, emphasize the need for societal change towards inclusivity and the recognition of disabled people's right to participate fully in life.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker shares personal experiences of feeling judged and hyper-visible due to her size and disability, highlighting the complexities of public perception.
• 🗣️ People often make unsolicited comments on her body and disability, framing them as compliments, which puts her in a difficult position to respond without seeming ungrateful.
• 🚶‍♀️ The speaker recounts instances where she was congratulated for participating in everyday activities, implying that her presence was surprising or commendable due to her disability.
• 👗 Despite societal stereotypes, the speaker has a rich social life, hobbies, and a unique sense of style, which challenges the preconceived notions about disabled individuals.
• 🏆 She emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual achievements without reducing them to overcoming disabilities, as her accomplishments are part of her life, not just a battle against her condition.
• 🌏 The speaker's story of backpacking in Southeast Asia demonstrates that with creativity and determination, one can still pursue dreams and passions despite physical limitations.
• 💡 Media portrayals of disabled people are often limited to extremes, either as superheroes or as pitiable figures, which fails to capture the nuanced reality of living with a disability.
• 🔍 The speaker calls for a more inclusive and realistic representation of disabled individuals in society, advocating for a spectrum of experiences rather than binary categorizations.
• 🤝 She encourages open conversations about disability and accessibility, suggesting that asking questions and acknowledging potential barriers can lead to more inclusive environments.
• 🚧 The speaker discusses the practical barriers she faces, such as stairs and lack of ramps, and the need for advanced information to ensure accessibility.
• 🌐 She envisions a utopian world where disability is mainstream and does not inhibit freedom, advocating for a collective approach to making accessibility a priority.

Q & A

What was the speaker's weight at the age of 21?

The speaker weighed 21 stone at the age of 21.

How did the speaker feel when they were larger?

The speaker felt that the whole world was looking at them and thinking negative things. They were self-conscious about eating in public due to fear of being judged.

What changed in people's behavior towards the speaker when they started using a wheelchair?

People started treating the speaker's body and disability as a subject open for public discourse, often making unsolicited comments.

How do the comments from others make the speaker feel?

The comments often make the speaker feel both hyper-visible and invisible as a person, reducing them to a selection of stereotypes based on presumptions about their life.

What was the speaker's experience at a club?

The speaker was told it was amazing to see them in the club, implying that people like them don't often go out having fun, which was not a compliment but a reflection of societal assumptions.

What was the speaker's achievement after completing their education?

The speaker fought through years of severe dislocations, extensive surgery, and poor mental health to complete their A-Levels and degree.

What was the speaker's most impressive achievement according to most people?

Most people think the speaker's most impressive achievement was going backpacking across Southeast Asia for three months.

Why did the speaker feel that their achievements are not an indication of overcoming their disability?

The speaker believes that their achievements are part of learning to live alongside their disability and mental health, rather than overcoming them.

How does the speaker describe the media's portrayal of disabled people?

The media often portrays disabled people as either superheroes who have overcome their disability or as pitiable figures, which can be harmful and misleading.

What does the speaker suggest for a more inclusive society?

The speaker suggests imagining disabled people in the middle of the action and having conversations to remove barriers, making access a collective responsibility.

What is the speaker's view on discussing disability?

The speaker believes it's okay to ask questions and acknowledge potential barriers, as these conversations are necessary to open up the world to those currently excluded.