https://moodle.arts.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=84288§ion=8
After watching the four videos, I was inspired by how the individuals used their disabilities to inspire others, redefining their identities in opposition to society’s narrow definitions of disability.
The term “disability” implies that those with it are “not able,” often measured against a perceived standard of physical, sensory, or cognitive ability. It’s typically framed as a lack or deficit compared to what’s considered normal human capability. What stood out to me was the idea that disability is not solely about physical or mental difference—it is largely the result of social barriers. *1 Many buildings, for example, are designed based on the needs of able-bodied people, turning everyday environments into obstacles for others.
In the interview on Race and Disability, the Paralympian, Ade Adepitan states:
“What makes people disabled is not disability, but society itself. It’s systemic discrimination and oppression that hold disabled people back.” *2
This really struck me. The real challenge is not the disability itself, but how society creates additional limitations through inaccessible systems and infrastructure. The athlete emphasised that with the right equipment and support, disabled people have the ability to thrive. *2 I was especially moved by how everyone in the videos appeared highly autonomous—transforming their challenges into strengths, both for themselves and for society.
Lastly, the interview touched on opportunistic discrimination—the idea that opportunities should be equally available to all, regardless of skin colour or disability. This could lead into a larger philosophical discussion: what does “ability” really mean? This notion connects with the Equality Act 2010, which advocates for equal opportunity for everyone.
I was particularly drawn to artist Christine Sun Kim’s approach to her practice. *3 As a deaf artist, she incorporates her lived experience and sign language into her work, transforming patterns of communication into visual art. To me, her lack of hearing is not a limitation but a strength that defines the uniqueness of her art, I would call it her ability of non-heaering. As a viewer, I find her work deeply intriguing—not out of sympathy, but out of genuine artistic appreciation of unique perspectives. Like many others, she transforms what is conventionally seen as a “disability” into a powerful creative tool.
These videos reminded me of my own experiences at art university. There are two main reflections I want to share.
First, the recognition of disability. While visible disabilities—such as deafness or physical impairments—are more widely acknowledged, invisible disabilities, like neurodivergence, are often overlooked. For example, in Japan, where I’m from, ADHD is not always recognised as a disability and is often misunderstood. These are hardly diagnosed and not widely spread as official disability. Knowing and acknowledging your disability seems a privilege for many. At least people like I am from non-western countries.
Second, I want to reflect on the challenges of collaborative practice. I’ve had several group projects with people diagnosed with ADHD, especially during university assessments. One particular student had self-diagnosed ADHD and was very controlling, often crying when things didn’t go her way. This left the rest of the group feeling confused and frustrated. Eventually, we decided to work separately. I think this kind of issue is especially prevalent in theatre, where production environments are technical, time-sensitive, and physically limited. How other people work with those who has disability is a question.
*1 University of the Arts London. (2018) The Social Model of Disability at UAL. [YouTube video] 2 April. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNdnjmcrzgw (Accessed: 25 April 2025).
*2 BBC Stories. (2019) The truth about being disabled and black. [YouTube video] 11 July. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAsxndpgagU (Accessed: 25 April 2025).
*3 Channel 4. (2016) “What makes you disabled?” | Paralympics with a difference | Channel 4. [YouTube video] 5 September. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpRaEDlLsI (Accessed: 25 April 2025).
This is such a thoughtful post!. I also found Ade Adepitan’s words really striking, especially the idea that disability is created by society rather than the individual. It’s such an important shift in perspective. Your reflections on invisible disabilities were really eye-opening too, especially how diagnosis and recognition can depend so much on cultural context. Where I’m from, mental health is still a very misunderstood topic, and things like ADHD or neurodivergence are rarely acknowledged or diagnosed. I hadn’t thought of diagnosis as a kind of privilege before, but it really is in many cases.
Thank you for your comment! I’m really glad that my reflection resonated with your cultural context as well. I was quite surprised by how openly people in the UK speak about mental health conditions. I only came across the term ADHD for the first time about five years ago, and now it feels like many people openly identify with—or even self-diagnose—a range of neurodiverse conditions. In my home country, it’s recently become somewhat of a trend to self-diagnose potential disabilities. While this can be problematic in some ways, it has also helped reduce the stigma and made it easier for people to talk about their experiences more openly. It’s impressive how quickly social norms can shift.
Hi Yui,
Thank you for such a powerful reflection. I really appreciate how you highlighted the shift from seeing disability as a personal limitation to recognising it as a socially constructed barrier. Ade Adepitan’s quote especially stood out, his point about society being the true source of disability really reframes the conversation around inclusion and accessibility.
I also related deeply to your reflection on how invisible disabilities are often overlooked. Coming from an Indian cultural background myself, I’ve seen how disability especially neurodivergence is rarely spoken about or fully understood. There’s often limited awareness, and even less information on where to seek help or support. Acknowledging a disability can feel like a privilege, as you mentioned, and that really resonated with me.
Your point about collaborative challenges in creative environments also struck a chord. It’s so important to think not only about how individuals manage their own disabilities, but also how others work with them respectfully and effectively especially in high-pressure, technical settings like theatre.
This post gave me a lot to reflect on, both personally and professionally.
Thank you!
Farah
First of all thank you for the thoughtful comments.I am very glad that some of my reflection could resonate to your experience too. In a creative environment such as the art school, collage encourage the collective practice but never really gives any guidance on these issues. I sometimes found quite difficult to balance a good practice and inclusive practice – which should not be a bipolar relationship. I hope I could find a good example in the future.