Disability Equality Training
Disability Wales gets many enquiries regarding Disability Equality Training. At present, we do not provide training; however, we can give you some guidance on what to look for and where to look.
There is often confusion between Disability Awareness Training (DAT) and Disability Equality Training (DET).
DAT will often focus on people’s medical conditions and will sometimes focus on specific impairments. Trainers will often refer to disabled people as ‘people with disabilities’. It may also concentrate on awareness issues such as etiquette and language. It does not always reflect the Social Model of Disability [link to page] and it is not uncommon for the trainers to have little or no experience of disability.
Some training consultancies will offer generic all-purpose equality training covering race, gender, disability, sexual orientation. It may not offer the in-depth training you require. In addition, as with, DAT, it may not be a disabled person delivering the disability component of the training.
DET is designed to...
- promote disability as an Equality Issue
Disability is too often regarded as a health or “care” issue. This medical perspective focuses on what is “wrong” with a disabled person rather than the barriers society erects, preventing real equality and promoting a passive/helpless image of disability. - examine the root causes of exclusion and discrimination
The problems facing disabled people are far more likely to be caused by the way places and services are designed than by a person’s impairment. - question stereotypes, myths and misconceptions about disability
There are so many commonly held 'truths' about disability that are simply unfounded. DET addresses the attitudes based on these misconceptions - promote communication between disabled and non-disabled people
When was the last time you talked - and listened! - to a disabled person' All DET tutors are disabled people. - promote change both in policy and practice
Positive attitudes towards disability should mean positive policies. Traditional ways of designing and providing a service may no longer be appropriate. More effective, accessible practices are constantly being refined. DET offers the best of current good practice.
DET is not about ... - making non-disabled people feel guilty
DET is intended to make you feel positive about getting things right, not guilty about the way things have been done wrong in the past. - disabled people recounting their life story
Entertaining though some stories are, we don’t think anecdotal histories help you understand the causes of oppression and exclusion to disabled people as a group. - simulating physical or sensory impairments
We believe this is patronising. Sitting in a wheelchair or wearing greasy glasses for half an hour may be an “experience” but its temporary nature teaches you nothing of the reality of physical impairment and “playing at disability” is insulting to disabled people. - describing different impairments
Everybody is different. People experience their impairments in different ways. The physical or sensory nature of impairments is not the problem. The environmental and attitudinal barriers imposed through ignorance or design by the rest of society cause the problem.
A DET tutor is a disabled person trained and experienced in the knowledge, skills and values necessary to deliver DET courses to a wide range of participants.
The Disability Rights Commission has published a Good Practice Training Directory. The DRC also operates a licensing system for consultants using their Best Practice Trainers Resource. It should be stressed, however, that this is a licensing and not an endorsement system.
Disability Equality Trainers in Wales
If you would like more information on DET tutors, please contact the Disability Wales office.