Abolish "DIS" from "Disability" for Equality and Empowerment! A Personal Perspective

July 14, 2023

By Philip Francis Anderson, Activist and Podcast Host, Campaigning for Change.

Redefining Ability: The Call to Erase 'DIS' from 'Disability' for a More Empowered and Inclusive Future

As someone who has been living with sight loss since birth, I am calling for the abolition of "DIS" in "Disability" because it is disempowering, demeaning, and not representative of equality. Furthermore, "DIS" acts as a barrier to seeing the person for their abilities and it is time to consign it to history. We have made significant progress in eradicating derogatory terms like "Handicapped," "Spastic," and "Retarded" through years of reform and scholarly debate. Now, I am launching a new campaign to remove the 'DIS' from 'Disability,' further bridging the social divide.

I speak from personal experience as someone who has lived with sight loss for over 50 years. I have faced phrases like "you can't do this" and "people like you can't be expected to know the first thing about running a business." I have even been told to be grateful for not being permanently placed in a care home. These experiences stem from the prefix "DIS" before "Ability," which implies "hopeless" and "subordinate" – two categories into which I do not fall and a label I refuse to wear.


I understand what it feels like to be taunted, ridiculed, and subjected to physical and psychological attacks. I know what it's like to be mocked and labelled a failure - and I am not alone in this.


We are supposed to live in a person-centred society where individuals take precedence over everything else. People with disabilities are integral members of society, and it is their rightful entitlement to be treated as such. Yet, despite years of reform, a portion of the non-disabled population still tends to see the disability before the person. This may be one reason why 70% of working-age individuals with disabilities find themselves unemployed, while countless others experience daily challenges of direct and indirect discrimination – both in public and in silence.

That being said, we must never forget that the world is filled with examples of individuals with disabilities who have overcome challenges and achieved great things. Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest physicists since Einstein, did not let his disability deter him after being diagnosed with a terminal condition. Despite being given only six months to live, Hawking enjoyed a 50-year career, advancing our understanding of Time, the Universe, and Black Holes before his passing on March 14, 2018, at the age of 76.


There are numerous other accomplished individuals working in the fields of medicine, engineering, computing, education, and the arts, just like Hawking. It is time for these individuals to receive the recognition they deserve. When non-disabled individuals think of or encounter someone with a disability, I want them to see their abilities first, not their disability.

Removing the stigma associated with the "DIS" prefix will not only bridge the gap but also provide a clearer view of the person behind the disability – someone with thoughts, feelings, aspirations, goals, and abilities. This, I believe, will bring us closer to achieving social equality.


While I acknowledge that my historical knowledge on this subject is incomplete, I am eager to learn from those more knowledgeable in this area. Nevertheless, I am determined and passionate about seeing this crucial campaign through to its successful conclusion.


However, I recognise that if I am to succeed in my fight for justice, I need more support, far beyond tokenistic gestures and mere "good luck" encouragement. Action is necessary if we are to have any chance of victory, as history has shown in the battles fought for women's suffrage.

Please follow and share this campaign, as it involves individuals, families, and society. Your involvement could make a significant difference in the lives of many.


Remember, every signature brings us one step closer to victory, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for lending your voice to my campaign.


As the quote goes, "The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more."


And as Ijeoma says, "When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else's oppression, we'll find our opportunities to make real change."


Thank you.

Taking the DIS out of Disability

Discover other perspective on the abolishment of the 'DIS' from 'Disability'!

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An illustration showing the 'DIS' out of Disability being crossed out to reveal the word 'ability.'

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