List of key terms for disability and architecture

Accessibility

Accessibility is equality; the degree to which an environment, product, website or service is accessible or usable by people of all abilities. For disabled people this means not only equal physical access but access to the same tools, services, facilities and opportunities (social, political, financial, educational, employment) as non-disabled people.

Deafness and disability

Many Deaf people, particularly those who use BSL (British Sign Language) argue that they are a linguistic minority with their own language and culture; and therefore do not define themselves as disabled. This is why, throughout this website, the term used is disabled and deaf artists. Often deaf people prefer to use deaf with a capital D.

Disabilism

Scope defines disablism as “discriminatory, oppressive or abusive behaviour arising from the belief that disabled people are inferior.” Whilst there are undoubtedly examples of hate crimes committed against disabled people (a worrying trend that appears to be on the increase) most ‘disablism’ is unconscious and grows out of society’s widespread acceptance of the medical & charity models of disability; a belief that the problems faced by disabled people are not discriminatory in nature but private, medical problems that can be ‘cured’ through medical intervention or eased by charitable organisations or government benefits.

Disability and impairment

Most disabled and deaf people differentiate between a medical and social model of disability. The medical model focuses on the individual and their impairment; perceived as a problem that can be improved through medical intervention. The social model of disability argues instead that the problem is not with individuals but that it is the barriers, prejudice and exclusion by society (purposely or inadvertently) which are the ultimate factors in defining who is disabled and who is not in a particular society.

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is a UK parliamentary act which makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people in relation to employment, education, housing, transport, the provision of goods and services and access to the functions of public bodies. In addition the Act places duties and responsibilities on employers and service providers to ensure that disabled people are not treated unfavourably in relation to their disabilities and requiring them to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to make employment, services and premises accessible to disabled people. Sounds good, doesn’t it? However, the Act is easily circumvented, permitting employers and service providers to justify unfavourable treatment and failure to make reasonable adjustments depending on whether or not the adjustments meet the needs of the disabled person, whether or not they are affordable and whether or not the adjustment will have a serious effect on other people.

Disability Equality

Disabled people are just like other people and deserve equal rights and treatment under the law as anyone else. Which is why the UK government is making good progress towards achieving its ambition of equality for disabled people by 2025. Seriously 2025. No word on which month yet.

Disability Equality Duty

Since December 2006, it has been a legal duty for all public sector organisations to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.

Disability impact assessment

A disability impact assessment is a method by which organisations can examine their activities and services to ensure there is no potential for discrimination against disabled people.

Duty of care

A duty of care is a legal obligation placed on individuals and organisations to take reasonable care of a person who may be affected by their activities.

Ethnomethodology

Ethnomethodology is the study of the ways in which people make sense of their world. It takes a phenomenological perspective (see Phenomenology) and extends it to the study of everyday social interaction.

Inclusive Design

Inclusive design is a general approach to design where the designer ensures that their product or service addresses the needs of the widest possible audience regardless of their ability or age.

Medical and social models

Most disabled and deaf people differentiate between a medical and social model of disability. The medical model focuses on the individual and their impairment; perceived as a problem that can be improved through medical intervention. The social model of disability argues instead that the problem is not with individuals but that it is the barriers, prejudice and exclusion by society (purposely or inadvertently) which are the ultimate factors in defining who is disabled and who is not in a particular society.

Normalcy

Is the quality or condition of being normal. Creeping normalcy is a term often used to refer to the way a major change can be accepted as normality if it happens slowly, in unnoticed increments, when it would be regarded as objectionable if it took place in a single step or short period. Examples would be a change in job responsibilities, a change in a relationship or a change in a medical condition. One day you’ll wake up and you’ll all be like us.

Notes on the Art of Walking

In “Notes on the Art of Walking” Ryave and Schenkein proposed a way of studying our everyday interactions, the encounters with people and places we continually undertake without really noticing. They explored how people behaved in crowds so as to discover some of the unspoken conventions which enable us to move about without bumping into each other. For them, even the act of walking together or apart requires “the concerted accomplishment of members of the community involved in its production and recognition.” They suggest we can examine the detail of such ordinary practices (they used video cameras and observational studies) so as to discover the implicit rules that govern ‘what is normal’ in our encounters… the multitude of cues which don’t just exist, but have to recognised and “must be continually produced (…) in order to make the activity continually available and accountable”.

Otherness

Otherness is the condition of being strange or different; of being something other than normal. Disabled people are often stigmatised by society’s attitude towards them and made to feel like outcasts.

Phenomenology

Phenomenology is the philosophical study of the structures of consciousness from a first-person perspective. In terms of architecture and design, phenomenology is the study and exploration of the physical experience of buildings, building materials and their sensory properties.

Reasonable adjustments

The Disability Discrimination Act requires employers to change the workplace environment or working arrangements if they make it very difficult for a disabled person to do their job. In some circumstances, its appropriate to make adjustments as a general response to the needs of all disabled people (disability awareness training or taking accessibility into account when refurbishing). 

In other circumstances, the individual disabled persons needs should be taken into account. Adjustments can be as individual as the people who need them and the circumstances in which they are used.

Sensory design

The design of an environment or landscape (often a garden) that offers a wide range of diverse sensory experiences and responses. Sensory design encourages the user to physically interact with their environment, appealing to all five senses; touch, taste, sight, sound and smell.

Spatial Practices

Go for a walk. Really.

Stereotypes and figures

A stereotype is a generalised, prejudicial label that stigmatises a group or individual and often based on superstition and myth with little or no basis in reality. Stereotyping negates a person’s individuality and humanity. Disabled people are blessed with a diverse range of stereotypes. We can be inspirational. Tragic. Lazy. Evil. Pitiful. Pathetic. Twisted and bitter. A burden on society. An outcast. Special and brave. Stupid. Funny. Worthless. We’re usually nonsexual, we often have a chip on our shoulder but just as often we triumph over “adversity.” Obviously these stereotypes bear little resemblance to the reality of disability. However, if you catch a little person you can make them show you where they’ve hidden their pot of gold.

The Slow Movement

The Slow Movement is a cultural movement advocating the slowing down of life’s pace in favour of a more enriched, less stressful lifestyle. Turn off the mobile, turn off the Blackberry, turn off the laptop. Work less overtime, see your family, go for a walk. Smell the roses. Fight for your right to relax. Contrary to popular belief however, it is not an excuse to be lazy but a cultural shift away from consumer culture. Not to be confused with constipation which involves a less satisfying slow movement.

Universal Design

Universal Design approaches the design of products and environments from the point of view that they should be designed with everyone in mind not just disabled people. It also places a greater emphasis on look and beauty than existing accessible design which is often purely functional.