‘What makes people disabled is not their disability… its society, it’s society what holds us back’ (ParalympicsGB, 2021)
This particular phrase stuck with me for a while after watching Ade Adepitan interview on disability and race. It resonated with me because, in many ways, it’s true, disability is often made more difficult by the barriers society creates. These barriers limit individuals not because of their impairments, but because spaces, systems, and attitudes fail to accommodate and include them. Society, with all its complexity, offers both advantages and significant flaws. One of its most pressing shortcomings is the way it excludes those who don’t fit into its narrow definitions of identity, or “normalcy.”
Reflecting on the three short interviews with individuals who identify as disabled, it becomes apparent: the world is not built with them in mind. From physical inaccessibility to social exclusion, the challenges they face are often not due to their conditions, but due to a lack of understanding and inclusivity. These difficulties are only intensified when disability intersects with other aspects of identity such as race, gender, or class. As Oliver (1990) argues, the real issues surrounding disability are not about individual limitations, but about systemic oppression, discrimination, inequality, and poverty; barriers that are socially constructed and deeply established.
Kimberlé Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality was coined to explain how multiple aspects of a person’s identity, like race, gender, and class, intersect to create different experiences of discrimination and privilege (Crenshaw, 1989). Originally used to highlight violence against women of colour, intersectionality has since been applied more broadly to understand layered forms of oppression (Crenshaw, 1991).
The second interview with Christine Sun Kim discusses the challenges of having a non-visible disability while also being a woman of colour (Art21, 2018). Her experience brings attention to how invisible disabilities often go unnoticed, requiring individuals to declare them, a process that can be deeply uncomfortable and emotionally taxing. This adds another layer of complexity to her identity and the way she navigates the world.
As a tutor of illustration these reflections are quite important to my own practice. I have a responsibility to create inclusive and safe spaces for students, where they feel seen, respected, and able to participate fully in class. Allowing students to share their needs in their own time and on their own terms, without pressure or judgement.
The third interview, with Chay Brown – a trans, gay, white man with a non-visible disability and possibly neurodivergent- further reinforces the importance of awareness and accountability (ParaPride, 2022). Brown openly acknowledges his own intersections, advantages, and disadvantages, and speaks to the ongoing work required to be inclusive of others, particularly those from marginalised communities.
Power and privilege are central to my role as an educator. I guide students toward becoming capable professionals in the arts. These interviews have strengthened my commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, to being present, open, and responsive—and to acknowledging when I may fall short. Being aware of intersectionality isn’t just about understanding others; it’s about continually reflecting on my own position and using that awareness to do better.
Bibliography
Art21, 2018. Christine Sun Kim in “Friends & Strangers” – Season 11 | Art21. YouTube, 5 September. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpRaEDlLsI (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
Crenshaw, K. (1989) ‘Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex’, University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), pp. 139–167.
Crenshaw, K. (1991) ‘Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color’, Stanford Law Review, 43(6), pp. 1241–1299.
Oliver, M. (1990) The individual and social models of disability. Paper presented at: Joint Workshop of the Living Options Group and the Research Unit of the Royal College of Physicians on People with Established Locomotor Disabilities in Hospitals, London, 23 July 1990.
ParalympicsGB, 2021. Ade Adepitan gives amazing explanation of systemic racism. YouTube, 1 October. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAsxndpgagU (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
ParaPride, 2022. Intersectionality in Focus: Empowering Voices during UK Disability History Month 2023. YouTube, 3 March. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yID8_s5tjc (Accessed: 22 May 2025).