Norman Kunc - The Right to be Disabled

Summary

This video script from the Dulwich Centre in Adelaide, Australia, features a conversation on critical disability theory and the social model of disability. The interviewee, born with cerebral palsy, recounts their journey from viewing disability as a personal battle to recognizing it as a social construct. The discussion highlights the shift from medicalizing disability to understanding it as a societal issue, emphasizing the need for architectural and social changes to accommodate diverse experiences.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The conversation was originally videotaped for the Dulwich Centre, a narrative therapy training institute in Adelaide, Australia.
• 📚 The purpose of the video was to introduce narrative practitioners to critical disability theory concepts.
• 🌐 It is included on the 'Conversations That Matter' site to provide an accessible explanation of the social model of disability.
• 🗣️ The speaker, Norman Kunc, shares his personal journey and pivotal moments that led him to view disability from a new perspective.
• 👶 Born with cerebral palsy, Norman's early life was marked by a focus on physical therapy and striving to be as non-disabled as possible.
• 🏫 Norman's experience in regular school was a continuation of his 'war' on disability, trying to fit in and be non-disabled.
• 🗣️ A pivotal moment occurred in university when a friend imitated his speech, leading Norman to question the social perception of disability.
• 🔄 Norman realized disability is not just a physical or mental condition but also a social construct that varies across cultures and time.
• 🌟 He emphasizes the importance of recognizing disability as a natural part of human diversity, not as a problem to be fixed.
• 🔄 The concept of 'relocating the problem of disability' from a medical issue to a social one is discussed, highlighting the need for societal change.
• 🏗️ The example of a ramp as an architectural correction rather than an accommodation for disabled individuals illustrates the shift in perspective.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the conversation in the transcript?

The main purpose of the conversation is to introduce narrative practitioners to concepts of critical disability theory and to provide an accessible explanation of the social model of disability.

What is the significance of the speaker's early experiences with physical therapy?

The speaker's early experiences with physical therapy were significant as they shaped his initial view of disability as an enemy to be conquered, setting the stage for his later realizations about the social aspects of disability.

How did the speaker's perspective on disability change during his time at university?

During university, the speaker's perspective shifted when a friend imitated his speech, leading him to question the social acceptance of disability and to realize that disability is not just a personal struggle but a social construct.

What is the 'right to be disabled' mentioned in the transcript?

The 'right to be disabled' refers to the speaker's realization that he has a right to exist as a disabled person without needing to conform to non-disabled norms, which was a pivotal moment in his understanding of disability.

Why is the speaker excited about the interconnections of different kinds of struggles?

The speaker is excited about the interconnections of different kinds of struggles because it allows for a broader understanding of disability as part of the human experience and creates more room for inclusivity and diversity.

Who is John McKnight and what is his relevance to the conversation?

John McKnight is a mentor mentioned in the conversation who provided insights on the civil rights movement, emphasizing the importance of redefining problems from a social perspective rather than an individual one.

What does the speaker mean by relocating the problem of disability from the medical realm into the social?

The speaker suggests that instead of viewing disability as a medical issue inherent to the individual, it should be seen as a social issue, where the problem lies in societal structures and attitudes that do not accommodate disabled individuals.

How does the concept of ramps illustrate the idea of relocating the problem of disability?

The concept of ramps is used as an example to show that the problem is not the individual's disability but the lack of accessibility in the built environment. A ramp is not just an accommodation but a correction of the building's design to be more inclusive.

What is the predominant narrative about disability that the speaker challenges?

The predominant narrative that the speaker challenges is the idea that people should not be disabled and that disability is something to be fixed or overcome, rather than an inherent part of human diversity.

How does the speaker's view on disability relate to the broader concept of diversity?

The speaker views disability as a natural part of human diversity, similar to other forms of diversity such as race or gender. This perspective challenges the notion that disability is an abnormality and promotes the acceptance of disability as a normal variation in human experience.