Not to knock arts n crafts, as there is something for everyone! Heck, if you like it, we love it! Not to mention, our crew were enjoying a bit of painting over the weekend, but might we add, with a bit of liquor though. Also, we want to acknowledge that there are some great companies out there who are providing completely bias-free care. But all of us in the care industry need to make sure that we are consistently providing social support BEYOND just arts n crafts. Just like anyone, people with disabilities are multifaceted and have complex interests and desires. Who’s to say that these interests don’t include pub crawls, night clubs and str*p clubs? When we hear of a bunch of able bodied blokes heading to the str*ppers for a bucks party, no one bats an eye, instead we commonly say ‘boys will be boys’ - but when it comes to people with disabilities who wish to engage in the same activities, it’s viewed as taboo, why is that? People with disabilities are already exponentially at a much higher risk of suffering from mental health issues due to the daily suffering of ableism and restrictions, therefor us as support providers and workers need to be extremely mindful of not attributing to this, in fact, we must work to dismantle every single one of these barriers.
As support providers, we actually do not have a say in the way we support our clients, as it is entirely up to the CLIENT. So if a client requests to be taken to a tattoo parlour, strip club, pub, crawl, nightclub, or anything else that pertains to an adult experience, what will your response as an NDIS/disability provider or support worker be?
We can only speak as support workers on this but the nature of care in this industry feels reminiscent of the 1950s. Far too often, we hear stories from clients and members in the community who suffer in unimaginable ways when it comes to people telling them what is socially acceptable and unacceptable when participating in the community. From the judgment disguised as concern, to entitled and offensive remarks and unwarranted opinions, society is constantly giving people with disabilities their 2 cents worth. So when will support providers start to listen to clients/ participants and follow through with the intent of their company, which is to support and provide?
When we speak to people about our mission at the 504 of treating adults with disabilities as adults we often ask these people to imagine if they were to acquire a disability tomorrow, how would they want their support network to show up for them? Would they still want to be taken to see their the significant other? Would they still want their sexual rights respected and upheld? Would they still want to join their mates on the weekend for pub crawls? Would they still want to see the world?
It is quite scary to think of how these fundamental human rights could be taken away from us in a moment by people who still get to exercise them without thought.
As able bodied support workers from our point of view, if we were to acquire a disability and our interests and desires remain the same as now, we would expect and demand more than just colouring in sheets and sandwiches in the park. So let’s stop putting all people with disabilities in the same box and destroy our biases moving into 2024! If your client asks you to be taken to a tattoo parlour, to a night club or strip club, are you going to take them?
That’s all from us for now
The 504.
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