Ethos
We work within the framework of the Social Model of Disability.
To us, disability is a problem of exclusion from ordinary life. It requires a change in society's values and practices in order to remove the barriers to participation that truly discriminate against people.
It is clear that this is possible and is starting to happen - e.g. changing steps into ramps, providing information in Braille or other formats, and the valuing of different learning styles.
With non-disabled people understanding the Social Model of Disability it can build a community of allies that speeds the progress of attitudinal change.
This in turn will have a positive impact on creating a barrier-free society that will gain the full benefit of the talents and contributions of its citizens, and in which disabled people will take their rightful place in education, the work force and all aspects of community life.
The social model does not deny the existence of impairments that may affect the daily lives of disabled people, rather it shifts the emphasis onto the real barriers which affect participation. Removing barriers for disabled people benefits everyone.
