Week 11: Disability, Disadvantage, Vulnerability and Stigma

This week defines and classifies disabled, disadvantaged or vulnerable people. Inequity and stigmatism of disabled people was highlighted in the videos and throughout the lecture and discussion focussed on how to treat people considered disabled.  The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was shown to provide an inclusive framework (National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2015) for relating to the disabled with respect, dignity and without discrimination.

Upon reflection I felt I was good at treating all people as equal and inclusive.  I also reflected back to times when I was considered vulnerable and how I was treated/stigmatised. I was disappointed with nurses in the videos. Leanne from Sunshine Butterflies had a nurse assume the she was the expert, as did Trudy where the nurse may take the role of expert for the patient’s own well-being.  Kay had an example where a nurse refused the gay partner to give a sponge bath and Kay with a physical disability spoke of being left alone and assistance with feeding not provided.  On the reverse, as an adult educator, I was asked by a person to provide and pay for a translator as they felt they were entitled.  The translator cost was more than the course fee and I had to explain that I was unable to do this.

At the end of study, I knew I needed to also consider the extra small tasks that make people more comfortable within the healthcare system.  People need to be treated with respect and dignity, have equipment available that can give them independence and equality.  Spending time to explain the layout of the ward or where food is located on the plate makes a difference to the patient’s experience and health outcomes.  In Australia 4.2 million people have a disability  (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2014), the NDIS will help to make our healthcare system more inclusive for all people and hopefully make it easier for me to help.

I will be able to use the wonderful hints and tips to respect all people when I work, whether they consider themselves to have a disability or not.  I will also be more aware of not assuming or stereotyping when I relate to all people.  We are all human and have a right to be treated as an individual with respect and dignity.

Video 1: Changing Words.  YouTube (2016)

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (c). (2014, Sept 18). Disability Characteristics. Retrieved from Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3A5561E876CDAC73CA257C210011AB9B?opendocument

National Disability Insurance Scheme. (2015, Dec 24). About Us. Retrieved from National Disability Insurance Scheme: http://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us