Thread by @AllMeansAllAus

THREAD!

In closing Maria Scharnke provides the #DisabilityRC her key message:

“Disability is not something that should need to be accommodated for. This sounds ridiculous, but hear me out…

It should be accepted as part of the natural spectrum of human diversity.

There should be no need whatsoever to go above & beyond to ensure children with disability have access to an education. Because, there shouldn't be a system, a world, a country or department that perpetuates systematic inequities, inequalities & discrimination.

#DisabilityRC

There should be no need to have to go out of one’s way.

No matter how much effort one puts in to ensure a PWD has their right to an education being met (or to anything at all being met) this should not be seen as great achievement, or as going above & beyond.

#DisabilityRC

"This is the bare minimum and it is needed and it is required."

#DisabilityRC

So, I should not be saying what I think PWD can contribute to society. We don’t know this answer, I shouldn’t need to answer that.

Nobody with a disability should ‘have’ to contribute anything to be valued as a human being.
#DisabilityRC

And the idea that value and reason to support somebody goes back to how much they can contribute to society is inherently ableist - people need to recognise that.

People should look after other people - that’s how society works.

#DisabilityRC

There shouldn’t be a question of what disabled people can contribute because by existing in a society that is contribution, that’s all the contribution that is needed

People shouldn’t have to make up for their existence. The idea of a “drain of resources” is absurd.

People have a right to live, people have a right to exist, people have a right to learn and I shouldn’t be having to say this.

Thank you."
Maria Scharnke

#DisabilityRC