As Social Work Month draws to a close, we reflect on a profession that has always operated at the intersection of individual needs and environmental factors. Though the celebration is ending, one truth remains constant: social workers engage with disability every day, often without explicitly recognizing it.

The Invisible Intersection

Approximately one in four adults in the United States has some type of disability. For social workers across all practice settings—from schools to hospitals, community agencies to private practice—this means disability is present in their work whether it's the focus or not.

In my experience working at this intersection, I've found that many social workers don't realize they're working with disability because they're not in a "disability-specific" role. But when we understand disability through a social model lens, we can see it's present in nearly every case—whether through mental health considerations, chronic illness, environmental barriers, or undiagnosed conditions.

The Person-in-Environment Advantage

Social work's unique person-in-environment perspective makes the profession naturally aligned with disability justice frameworks. Both recognize that:

• Environmental barriers, not individual conditions, create disability
• Systems and structures often disable people unnecessarily
• Interventions must address both individual needs and environmental factors
• The voices of those directly affected must guide solutions

This alignment positions social workers to be natural leaders in creating more accessible and inclusive environments—if they recognize and embrace this role.

Beyond Awareness: Taking Action

As we transition from awareness month to everyday practice, social workers can take concrete steps to better integrate disability justice principles:

1. Examine intake processes for potential barriers to disclosure and participation
2. Review assessment tools through an accessibility lens
3. Consider disability as a diversity factor in all case conceptualizations
4. Audit physical and communication environments for accessibility
5. Involve disabled perspectives in program and service design

Need Help Getting Started?

Get started with a free 30-min disability adudit or schedule a disacovery call!

Free Audit 

Schedule a Discovery Call 

A Call to Collective Action

The challenges facing disabled communities—from healthcare barriers to employment discrimination—require collective action. Social workers are uniquely positioned to contribute through:

• Advocacy: Using our professional voice to challenge ableist policies and practices
• Education: Sharing knowledge about disability justice with colleagues and communities
• Implementation: Creating accessible services that model best practices
• Leadership: Centering disabled voices in decision-making processes

Honoring the Work While Moving Forward

We close Social Work Month by honoring the dedicated professionals who serve their communities daily, often with limited resources and support. Your work matters, and its impact extends far beyond what you might see.

As you continue this important work, we invite you to consider how disability justice principles might enhance your practice—not as an additional burden, but as a natural extension of the person-in-environment perspective that makes social work unique.

Together, we can create environments where all clients, regardless of ability, can fully participate and thrive.