Welcome to the Disability Wiki's foundational section. These pages help you understand the core concepts, language, and frameworks that shape this entire resource. Start here to learn disability terminology, different models of disability, and how to navigate this community-centered space.
This section provides orientation and essential background for understanding disability from a rights-based, justice-centered perspective. Whether you're newly disabled, supporting someone who is, or just learning, these pages build a shared vocabulary and help you understand why language and frameworks matter.
All pages in this section are written in plain language and are accessible to people with different learning styles, sensory needs, and attention capacities.
Your starting point. Learn how to navigate this resource, what accessibility features are available, and community guidelines for this space.
Practical guidance on navigating the wiki, using search, finding information in your language or region, and accessibility options including screen reader mode and high contrast viewing.
Explore different definitions of disability across cultures, legal systems, and communities. Disability as identity, lived experience, social position, and collective culture.
Understand the major frameworks for thinking about disability: Medical Model, Social Model, Biopsychosocial Model, Human Rights Model, Disability Justice, Neurodiversity Paradigm, and Independent Living Philosophy.
Learn why language matters. Covers identity-first vs. person-first language, terms to avoid, culturally specific language from Deaf, Autistic, AAC-using, and Mad communities, and how language reflects power and autonomy.
Disability is not just a medical condition—it's a culture. Explore disability arts, community traditions, online and offline cultures, collective history, symbols, and what disability pride means.
If you're supporting disabled people, learn how to listen, advocate, and avoid common mistakes. Covers etiquette, microaggressions, how to intervene against ableism, and supporting autonomy over pity.
I'm newly disabled and overwhelmed
Start with What Is Disability? and Language, Terminology & Identity
I want to support a disabled person
Read For Allies and Disability Culture
I need to understand different frameworks
Go to Disability Models
I'm not sure what language to use
Check Language, Terminology & Identity
Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen these pages? We welcome contributions from disabled people, especially from communities underrepresented in mainstream disability discourse.
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Maintained by: DisabilityWiki Community
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