Rehabilitation & Disability

Forging a Unified Advocacy Front

The Rehabilitation Silo

A focus on the individual's functional recovery, often within a clinical setting.

Goal: "Fixing" the Person

Model: Medical

Metrics: FIM scores, gait speed, range of motion

A focus on societal structures and rights, fighting for systemic change.

Goal: "Fixing" the Environment

Model: Social

Metrics: Policy changes, accessibility compliance

1.3B

People globally live with a significant disability, representing 16% of the world's population.

(Source: WHO)

Compared to non-disabled peers, people with disabilities are often:

1. Individual

Experiences a limitation

2. Rehabilitation

Maximizes capacity

3. Barrier Encounter

Faces societal obstacle

4. Advocacy

Dismantles the barrier

5. Improved Environment

Enables participation

Moving from "patient" to "person," adopting preferred identity language.

Linking clinical outcomes (e.g., mobility) to life goals (e.g., community sport).

Rehab students learn social models; advocacy training includes basics of conditions and assistive tech.

Holistic Policies

Increased Funding

Empowered Individuals

Integrate advocacy into your clinical practice. Partner with clinicians to strengthen arguments. Break the silos.

Recognize that disability is a part of human diversity, not a deficit to be corrected.