Welcome to Zero Barriers March Newsletter

Zero Barriers has had a flying start to 2023. This year, we welcome Penrith City Council, our newest partner council that has pledged its commitment to creating accessible and inclusive communities for its residents. Our vibrant and dedicated team of Zero Barriers Officers have been working tirelessly across business districts in all of our partner council LGAs, and you may notice more of the Zero Barriers logo stickers in shopfronts of many businesses and services across Sydney. Our aim is to make the Zero Barriers logo a recognisable symbol of inclusion that spells “welcome to all”.

What’s In This Issue?

International Wheelchair Day
The Social Model of Disability
Community Voice: Featuring Sage
Zero Barriers Business Spotlight: The Refinery Espresso

International Wheelchair Day
-By Anusha Khadka

People throughout the world celebrate International Wheelchair Day on March 1 of each year. Wheelchair users have a special day set aside to honour their wheelchair experiences and the benefits wheelchairs have brought to their lives. People from several nations, including Australia, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the UK, and USA, have been commemorating it since 2008, when it first began.

The primary goal of this event is to improve the lives of wheelchair users and foster a sense of inclusion. It is a cause for celebration to recognise all the assistance and consideration given to wheelchair users and to those who make wheelchairs accessible for them.

People from several countries organise local events to support and show their appreciation for wheelchair users and wheelchair providers on this day. Rally programmes can be planned in a person’s school, college, or community. People can also send donations or brand-new wheelchairs to a charity.
Read more – https://internationalwheelchairday.wordpress.com

The Social Model of Disability
By Zia Mariah Alexandra Sacay

“
I wish for a world that views disability, mental or physical, not as a hindrance but as unique attributes that can be seen as powerful assets if given the right opportunities.”

– Oliver Sacks, neurologist, naturalist, and author

Throughout history, the way in which society has understood and conceptualised disability has evolved. The most prominent and relevant evolution is the Social Model.

The Social Model identifies systematic barriers, derogatory behaviours and social exclusion which emphasizes the idea of adopting a strengths-based approach and promotes inclusion. This model came to prominence in the 1970s, through the independent living activists.

Why is it important?

Using the social model is an important way of identifying inequality because it views disability deriving from various communities, services and spaces that are not disability friendly. The model states that the reason why people with a disability experience limitations or restrictions, is not because of their condition, but because society creates these unnecessary barriers. For instance, a common barrier that affects people with a disability in their everyday life and routine, is the lack of ramps present in local shopping or market areas. It makes it difficult for them to access these services.

Studying the social model helps us, as a society, recognize the many unnecessary barriers that make life harder for people with a disability. By recognizing these limitations and removing them, we can create equality and offer individuals and groups with a disability more control and independence.

Community Voice – Sage

My name is Sage. I live in Tempe, NSW. My disability is that I am profoundly deaf and legally blind. I have autism level 2, AHDH, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.

What are some obstacles that you face while visiting different businesses?
Some obstacles that I face include steps that I can’t see, signs that I can’t read, noisy, crowded and busy places that challenge my hearing and vision.

What are some positive experiences while visiting different businesses?
I love shopping. I do love meeting out with my friends and family. I also love food. So, I get happy when I see some businesses that are disability friendly.

What are some recommendations for businesses to make disable people’s experience better?
I use and recommend wide steps, rails on steps, quiet sitting areas, disability supported sitting areas, and signs that are in large fonts especially in the shopping centres.