As we launch Disabled Empowerment in Higher Education Month, it's important to talk about what disability means, how it is defined and discussed, and the basics people need to know. This thread will kick off #DEHEM21 by serving as “Disability 101" #DisInHigherEd (1/27) 
What is disability? There is no easy answer to this question. It depends on what model you are using (e.g. medical, social, charity). (2/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
The CDC defines disability as “any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world (participation restrictions)” (3/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
This CDC definition of disability is consistent with the medical model of disability, which is one way of conceptualizing what it means to be disabled in society (4/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
The medical model of disability defines disability by what a disabled person lacks in physical and productive ability. We can see this reflected in the term “impairment” in the CDC definition. (5/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
As a result, the medical model of disability conceptualizes the challenges faced by disabled people in society as a product of the disabled person’s reduced ability. (6/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
For example, in the medical model, the issue is that a wheelchair user is not able to walk up the steps to a building, or that a blind person can not see a restaurant menu to read it. (7/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
For these reasons, and more, many disabled people prefer the social model of disability. The social model of disability conceptualizes disability as the barriers disabled people face, because society is not accessibly designed. (8/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
Under the social model of disability, the issue is not that the wheelchair user can not walk up the steps, but that there is no ramp or elevator to allow them access to the building. (9/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
Using the social model allows us to remove the stigma from disability, and focus our effort on addressing societal barriers to access and equity for disabled people. (10/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
An example of the social model of disability many allies are likely familiar with is the use of corrective eyewear, like glasses and contacts. (11/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
Many people require glasses and contacts to perform everyday tasks like reading, writing, driving, and more. However, we as a society do not consider needing glasses a disability, because we have provided people who need glasses a societal accommodation. (12/27) #DEHEM21
Glasses are widely available, affordable in comparison to many aspects of health care, and importantly, are largely no longer stigmatized in our society. (13/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
With this appropriate accommodation, those who need glasses can participate in all aspects of our society in the exact same way as people with natural 20/20 vision. (14/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
Because society often views disability through the lens of the medical model, many people often view disability as something to be seperated from personal identity, because disabilities are seen as bad, shameful, or somehow a “wrong” way of being human. (15/27) #DEHEM21
This attitude towards disability as something to be corrected, rather than a part of a person's identity, can be seen in the way society expects us to overcome disabilities instead of making things accessible. An all too common example of this is inspiration porn (16/27) #DEHEM21
In considering the way we think about disability, and what it means to be disabled, it's also important to address the way we talk about disability. (17/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
Disabled In Higher Ed (and DEHEM) use identity-first language, also terms disability-first language in some countries, because we view disability as a personal identity. (18/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
Disability is a part of our personal identity, like any other identity. In the same way members of our team are women, and bisexual, and non-binary, and Black, we are all also disabled. (19/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
We respect the right of every disabled person to identify in the way they feel most comfortable, and some disabled people do prefer person-first language. You should ask a person’s preference and/or notice how they refer to themselves. (20/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
Person first language is the act of asserting personhood before condition or diagnosis. For example saying “a person with autism” rather than the identity first alternative “an autisitc person.” (21/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
The use of person-first language as the default among non-disabled people can perpetuate the idea that disability is something separate from the personhood of disable people by implying that a reminder of our humanity is necessary. (22/27) #DEHEM21
Disabled in Higher Ed do not accept disability euphemisms from non-disabled people (e.g.) differently abled, etc… (23/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
Many disabled people face ableism, which is defined as prejudice or discrimination agianst disabled people based on the idea that disabiltiy is a diminished state of being human. (24/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
Ableism can take many forms, from assumptions and stereotypes, to policies and procedures, to the physical environments in which we live and work. (25/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInHigherEd
The goal of #DEHEM21 is to bring attention to the institutional and interpersonal ableism faced by disabled people at all levels of higher education, and to work to address these systemic barriers for a more equitable academy. (26/27) #DisInHigherEd
Join us for our month of programming as we explore these themes through four core lenses: Intersectionality & Disability Identity, Accessibility & Allyship, Mental Illness & Minority Stress, and Marginalization & Accommodations. (27/27) #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
Special thanks to our team member @FairlyScience for helping us to put together this thread! #DEHEM21 #DisInHigherEd
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