Defining disability

We view disability as a diverse and complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between an individual and their environment.

We recognise that disability comes in many different forms and is experienced differently by each
individual. We respect the expertise that comes with lived disability experience and that disabled
people can experience barriers when the environment, attitudes, policies, teaching and learning,
communication, technology, physical spaces, and so on, are not disability inclusive.

Disability may be a temporary or long-term condition, illness, or injury that affects a person’s
learning, communication, concentration, memory, hearing, mobility, movement, speech, and/or
vision. This includes the Deaf community with their own unique language and culture.

We use the terms: ‘disabled people’, ‘disabled students’, ‘tauira whaikaha’, with the strength of the
New Zealand Disability Strategy and wishes of the disability community.

We recognise that not all students identify with disability focused language and respect the very
personal choices you make.

Disability pride to me is valuing our communities’ experiences and taking that taonga with us when striving for change. Disability rights isn’t just about services, it’s about making the world inclusive. It’s about understanding that we haven’t achieved full inclusion if only a few of us make it through the glass ceiling.