Aboriginal perspectives on disability

For peer networks to be genuinely inclusive of Aboriginal people, it is important to have an understanding of an Aboriginal perspective on disability, as this can help the peer network think about how best to discuss things. Remember that this is just a guide.

There is no word for disability in Aboriginal languages, so disability is not a word that Aboriginal people are familiar with using. This may help us to understand the more inclusive nature of Aboriginal communities where people with disability are generally not excluded from or stigmatised in their communities.

Whilst some Aboriginal languages have words for specific impairments, the fact that there is no word for disability reflects the fact that people with impairments are not separated from the rest of the community for their difference. They are treated and cared for no differently from the other members of the group.

Two frequently cited generalisations about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island (sometimes termed ‘Indigenous’) perceptions of disability may be relevant to the delivery of peer networks in some areas:

some Indigenous people may not have a general concept of disability, which can result in under-reporting (as noted above) and, potentially, under-utilisation of the available supports from government or service providers
some Indigenous communities view some types of disability (such as congenital disabilities) as a consequence of ‘marrying wrong’ (First Peoples Disability Network, sub. 542. p. 8), or attribute it to supernatural causes stemming from eating certain foods or doing certain activities while pregnant (Senior 2000). While this is a potential source of shame that may dissuade some Indigenous Australians from seeking support, Elliot (1994) and Senior (2000) suggest that stigmatisation within communities is limited. http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/related-issues/disability/reviews/disability-within-the-indigenous-community

Some general features of the Aboriginal perception of disability include:

indigenous people with disability are generally not excluded from their communities
some disabilities may be seen as ‘payback’ for a past wrong doing, or may be seen as something special
independence may not be seen as a major issue in some indigenous communities
disability may be viewed as a family or community problem rather than a personal one
some people with severe disabilities may be seen as the responsibility of ‘welfare’
a person may be identified and named after their disability. For example, a person with an eye injury may be known as ‘one eye’

So to make your peer network is welcoming and inclusive of Indigenous people, think about how to structure the conversations and the topics so that they include the ideas above.

Useful Links and resrouces

.pdfirst People’s Disability Network http://fpdn.org.au
Phone: +61 (2) 9267 4195
Email: enquiries@fpdn.org.au
Address: PO Box A2265 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235

The Australian Indigenous Health Infonet website has further information about disability within the indigenous community: http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/related-issues/disability/reviews/disability-within-the-indigenous-community

This article by Damian Griffiths talks about addressing disadvantage: http://www.abc.net.au/rampup/articles/2012/04/20/3481394.htm

The Community Door website considers intellectual disability from an Aboriginal perspective: https://communitydoor.org.au/services/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander

Co-authored by First Peoples Disability

The information on this page is also available as a downloadable Quick Guide, by clicking below. There are.pdf and word versions.