When disability becomes identity

Social media is overrun with posts about Disabiilty Pride and whether one should be proud to be disabled.  However, the raises an important question: Can disability become a person’s identity?

If a person begins to see disability as their identity, there is a risk that society’s barriers become internalised. Instead of recognising exclusion as something that should be challenged and removed, a person may begin to accept it as part of who they are.

Over time, repeated experiences of inaccessible communication, discrimination, unemployment, isolation, or low expectations may lead someone to believe:

“I don’t belong.”
“I can’t participate.”
“This is just who I am.”

When this happens, exclusion begins to shape identity. The individual may define themselves by society’s barriers rather than by their humanity, talents, aspirations, relationships, culture, and dreams.

The social model challenges this thinking. It reminds us that exclusion is not an individual’s identity—it is a failure of society to create equal opportunities.

At NCPD, we believe that impairment is part of human diversity. Every person has inherent dignity and worth. An impairment may influence how a person experiences the world, but it should never define who that person is.  A person’s identity is rooted in their humanity, abilities, talents, relationships, culture, hopes, values, and dreams—not in the barriers imposed by society.

Disability should therefore not become a permanent personal identity. Rather, it should be understood as a description of the exclusion that occurs when society fails to remove barriers.  When barriers are removed through universal design, reasonable accommodation, inclusive attitudes, and accessible communication, people are able to participate more fully in every aspect of life.

A simple way to express this is –

An impairment belongs to the person.

Disability belongs to society.

Remove the barriers, and the disability diminishes—but the person remains whole.

This simple statement captures the essence of the social model. It reminds us that impairments are part of human diversity, while disability reflects the barriers that society has the responsibility to remove.

Creating an inclusive society is not about changing people—it is about changing environments, attitudes, and systems. When society removes barriers, people are no longer defined by exclusion. They are recognised for who they truly are: individuals with unique talents, valuable contributions, and equal human dignity.

That is the vision of the social model of disability.

Fanie du Toit
NCPD Mentor : Hearing Loss Matters