Can Disability Become Your Identity?

The Social Model of Disability invites us to think differently about disability and identity. It distinguishes between impairment, which “belongs” to the individual, and disability, which is created by barriers in society.

An impairment is part of human diversity. It may be physical, sensory, intellectual, psychosocial, neurological, communication-related, or involve multiple impairments. Like other human characteristics, impairments are natural variations within the human family.  Disability, however, is different. It arises when people encounter barriers that prevent them from participating equally in society. These barriers may include inaccessible buildings, communication obstacles, discriminatory attitudes, exclusionary policies, or the absence of reasonable accommodation.

The Social Model reminds us that people are not disabled by their impairments. They are disabled by the barriers that deny them equal participation.

This distinction changes where responsibility lies. Instead of expecting individuals to adapt to society, the Social Model expects society to remove barriers so that everyone can participate on an equal basis. This raises an important question: Can disability become part of 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, they may begin to accept it as part of who they are. Repeated experiences of inaccessible communication, discrimination, unemployment, isolation, or low expectations can gradually shape self-perception. A person may begin to believe:

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

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

The Social Model challenges this way of thinking. It reminds us that exclusion is not an individual’s identity—it is a failure of society to provide equal opportunities. Every person possesses inherent dignity and worth. An impairment or associated disability may influence how someone experiences the world, but it should never define who that person is. Identity is rooted in our shared 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 the consequence of exclusion when society fails to remove barriers. As barriers are removed through universal design, reasonable accommodation, accessible communication, and inclusive attitudes, people are able to participate more fully in every aspect of life.

An impairment belongs to the person. Disability belongs to society.
is a simple way to express this. Remove the barriers, and disability diminishes—but the person remains “whole.”

This statement captures the essence of the Social Model. Impairments are part of human diversity; disability reflects society’s failure to create inclusive environments. Building an inclusive society is therefore not about changing people—it is about changing environments, attitudes, systems, and policies. When barriers are removed, 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.

 

Language Matters

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) supports the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of association. However, we are concerned about the unintended impact that expressions such as “differently-abled”, “ability is stronger than disability”, “the only disability in life is a bad attitude”, and “disability pride” may have on the recognition of reasonable accommodation.

Although these expressions are often well intentioned, they can unintentionally shift attention away from society’s responsibility to remove barriers and towards the individual’s perceived abilities or attitude. This risks portraying reasonable accommodation as an act of goodwill rather than recognising it as a human rights obligation.

The South African White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2015), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and the Social Model of Disability all recognise that disability arises when persons who have impairments encounter barriers that prevent their full and equal participation in society. Terms such as “differently-abled” can also distract from this principle. Every person is differently abled in one way or another. Persons who have impairments should not be expected to demonstrate how “able” they are in order to justify inclusion or reasonable accommodation.

The goal should not be to replace the word disability with more comfortable language. The goal should be to remove the barriers that create disability.

Disability should be understood for what it is: a social construct that perpetuates exclusion and discrimination when society fails to provide equal access, reasonable accommodation, and meaningful inclusion.

 

The Way Forward

Let us place the emphasis where it belongs—not on the person who has an impairment, but on the systems, environments, attitudes, and policies that continue to create disability. When we remove barriers instead of redefining disability, we move closer to the inclusive society envisioned by the UNCRPD and South Africa’s White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

 

Written by
Fanie du Toit
Mentor: Hearing Loss Awareness