Glossary
Disabled
Disabled means you have a condition that causes long-term difficulty with daily activities. Disability can be physical, mental, invisible and visible. It is also intersectional, meaning people of all ages, races, identities, and backgrounds could be disabled.
Ableism and Disablism
Ableism is discrimination in favour of people who are not disabled whilst disablism is discrimination against disabled people.
Audism
Audism is discrimination against HoH (hard of hearing) or d/Deaf people based on the belief that hearing people are superior. Examples include not teaching sign language or not providing captions.
Enabled or Non-Disabled
Enabled/Pre-Disabled/Non-Disabled means you don’t have a condition that makes it harder for you to interact with the world or carry out daily activities
Internalised Ableism
Internalised ableism is the view that disabled people are inferior. Everyone suffers from this- whether it’s not asking for help when you need it, viewing human beings as burdens, or not feeling comfortable using the word 'disabled'.
Medical Model
The Medical Model is the idea that a person is less able because of their disability, and that they need curing
Social Model
The Social Model is idea that a person is disabled by society, so governments, businesses & schools need to provide equal opportunities for everyone
Eugenics
Eugenics is the practice or advocacy of ‘improving the human species and reducing human suffering by “breeding out” disease, disabilities and so-called undesirable characteristics’ examples include involuntary sterilisation of disabled people and forced abortions.
Accessibility
Accessibility is anything that makes life easier for disabled people- not just ramps for wheelchair users! Examples include braille menus for blind people, remote work opportunities, and flexible school attendance.
Medical Gaslighting
Medical Gaslighting is when healthcare professionals dismiss a patient’s symptoms, leading to longer diagnosis time, symptoms getting worse, deterioration of mental health, and in extreme cases, death.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment. It can be genetic, part of an ongoing condition, or develop after an injury, infection, or operation. Often, there is no obvious cause. It can last from a few months or years to a lifetime, and can affect people of all ages. Chronic pain can be difficult to manage & debilitating, but not everyone in chronic pain considers themselves disabled, often due to internalised ableism.
Fatigue
Fatigue is low energy and extreme tiredness that cannot be solved by sleep. It can also include other symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, sore muscles, and irritability. With conditions like ME, this can be a permanent state.
Pacing
Pacing is a method used by chronically ill people to avoid a flare up. This could look like avoiding activities like climbing stairs or walking, or balancing energy levels by resting after or during a social activity or exam. Often it involves sacrificing basic needs like showering, which can take its toll on mental health.
Sublux
Sublux or subluxation refers to a joint that is partially dislocated. This causes numbness, tingling, pain, and or burning in that area of the body, and can cause a flare up.
Flare Up
Flare up or flare is a term for chronic pain/ongoing symptoms temporarily becoming worse.
Neurodivergent
Neurodivergent people could be autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or have mental health conditions such as anxiety, OCD, or PTSD. It is a word used to describe someone whose brain processes, learns, and/or behaves in a way that makes existing in neurotypical society more difficult.
Neurotypical
Neurotypical describes someone who doesn’t find the way their brain works to be a barrier for engaging in society.
Overstimulation
Overstimulation or Sensory Overload is when it becomes difficult to process information due to things like strong scents, bright lights, or loud noises. It can impact anyone, but neurodivergent and chronically ill people can experience it at a level which causes physical pain or meltdowns.
Masking
Masking again applies to chronically ill and neurodivergent people. It is when somebody intentionally hides their natural personality or behaviour to conform to social expectations, or masks subconsciously as a trauma response.