Identity and The Disability Discrimination Act 1992

Campbell and Oliver  (1996:124) on identity of the disabled observes that 
‘discovering our identity as disabled people is very, very important. It’s still important today, otherwise people won’t value themselves. I think that is probably the biggest success that the movement has been able to point to. It is our movement, nobody owns it. We know who we are. I think we’re fairly clear about where we’re going and why we’re going there.

Furthermore, the roots of disability arts lie in the politicising of disability issues. Shakespeare et al  (1996:186) state ‘ drama, cabaret, writing and visual arts have been harnessed to challenge negative images, and build a sense of unity’. 

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is silent on identity. The drafting of the provisions does not give the disabled in Australia an identity.

Melville Miranda
Victoria 

Date: 17-9-03