Webinar: Language matters: Building respectful relationships with disabled clients*

Presenters:

A/Prof Jessica Russ-Smith – Australian Catholic University

Tara Lewis – Indigenous Allied Health Australia

Dr Aniqa Farwa – Australian Catholic University

Kat Goldsworthy – Australian Institute of Family Studies

Facilitator: Dr Amelia Wheeler – University of Canberra

The language we use with clients has the power to support, heal and empower. But words can also harm and dehumanise individuals. Although this is rarely intentional, research consistently suggests that recipients of health and social support services often feel disempowered, disrespected and excluded.

Therefore, it is critical we all reflect on the language we use.

Whether we’re aware of it or not, the language used in practice often reflects historical and contemporary ableism**, colonialism and discrimination. As a result, this language is often deficit-based and focussed on risk, abnormality and impairment. This language is everywhere, from policies, procedures and systems to our everyday interactions with clients.

Unfortunately, this means particular groups, such as disabled people, are frequently framed through narratives that pathologise individuals and communities.

There are increasing calls from disabled people and advocates to challenge and change practice norms and assumptions, promote genuine inclusivity and address the inequalities experienced by disabled people. In this work, the views of disabled people must be centred.

This webinar will encourage you to reflect on the language you use in practice and provide practical tips so you can strengthen supports for disabled people.

This webinar will give you:

• a better understanding of the ways ableism and other forms of discrimination are embedded in the mainstream social service sector and general society
• an increased awareness of how colonialism continues to influence practice language, and how upholding Indigenous language sovereignty is central to self-determination, cultural safety and collective healing and wellbeing
• insight into the role language, values and beliefs can play in building positive practitioner-client relationships and supporting positive disability identities
• a chance to reflect on the language you use in practice and guidance on how to adopt language that affirms, respects and benefits individuals.

Target Audience

This webinar will be of interest to practitioners who work with disabled people (children and adults). This child and family service providers, educators, social workers, community support workers and healthcare professionals.

* Following consultation with the panellists the promotional material for this webinar has used identity-first language i.e. ‘disabled person’, rather than person-first language i.e. ‘person with a disability’. The panellists acknowledge that this is their preference and comes from their own lived experience, and that others may prefer person-first language. The panellists will touch on this difference during the webinar.

** Ableism is discrimination or prejudice towards disabled people. It can be described as the systemic and interpersonal exclusion and oppression of people with disability.

Register here