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Learn how to register for accommodations at Dominican University of California!
Accessibility and Disability Services (ADS) provides accommodations to students with approved documentation of disabilities covered under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, edition 5 (DSM-V).
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines disability as a "physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." This language is ambiguous for a reason, as it gives us space to support many students from diverse backgrounds with diverse needs.
Some people think of a "disability" in purely medical terms. For them, the diagnosis is most important. Using the "medical model of disability," however, can limit our scope and understanding. The image to the right illustrates this point.
This model places everything on the individual. It's the individual's "fault." The individual, we're told, has the problem and is the problem.
The Medical Model of Disability: NOT the way ADS or Dominican understands disability
An alternative to the medical model is the social model of disability. This is a response to the problem we mentioned above. Instead of pointing the finger at the individual, using the social model, we can look towards the systemic and environmental barriers to limit our life chances.
Using this framework, we can say, "The environment disables me." This means that sometimes your disability might not be disabling, and other times it is, based on the interactions you have with the world around you.
The Social Model of Disability: This is how ADS & Dominican understands disabilities and diagnoses
Lastly, let's talk about the "social justice model of disability." This is something that Matthew Mueller, director of ADS, has been articulating for many years. Here are the principles of this model:
All disability is natural and normal.
Neurodiversity is important and embracing it leads to inclusion and innovation.
It recognizes that two people with disabilities, even with same diagnosis, can have vastly differing experiences based on their other, intersecting identities.
It affirms that the environment can disable people, that accommodations can help.
But it prioritizes Universal Design for Learning to create a culture of access and inclusion.
Want to talk more about what disability means to you, me, our community, and our world? Reach out to ADS or stop by the Student Success Center in Bertrand Hall 109.
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