an article by Laufey Löve, Rannveig Traustadóttir and James Gordon Rice (University of Iceland, Iceland) published in Social Inclusion Volume 6 Number 1 (2018)
Abstract
Achieving disability equality calls for transformative changes to society’s structures and norms. Recognizing the central role of disabled people and their organizations in this restructuring, and the call of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) for their full inclusion in all legal and policy decisions relating to their rights, this article focuses on how disability groups and organizations regard their ability to effect changes in line with the CRPD.
The article draws on qualitative interviews with leaders of disability organizations and activist groups in Iceland in 2016 and 2017. The findings reflect frustration among the leaders with what they perceive to be a lack of sustained progress in the decade since the country signed the CRPD.
In their view, this period has been characterized by a lack of meaningful involvement of disabled people in policymaking, and a lack of political will and interest in disability affairs, which has resulted in stagnation.
As a result, leaders of disabled people’s organizations have begun to change their strategies and are taking steps to redefine their approaches, and reframe the issues and dialogue with authorities in a more progressive manner, demanding to have more say in the process of change.
Full text (PDF 8pp)
Showing posts with label disabled_people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disabled_people. Show all posts
Friday, 6 April 2018
Thursday, 5 January 2017
Rewriting history: the case of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
an article by Mike Oliver (Rochester, UK) published in Disability & Society Volume 31 Issue 7 (2016)
Abstract
The Disability Discrimination Act was 20 years old in 2015 and received much attention, being presented as a cause for celebration. In what follows I suggest that this is far from being an accurate assessment of its impact and go on to suggest that it was not achieved as a result of a broad consensus but rather the product and ultimate betrayal of the hopes and dreams of disabled people ourselves.
As such, my version of this history has important lessons for disabled people ourselves.
Full text (HTML)
Abstract
The Disability Discrimination Act was 20 years old in 2015 and received much attention, being presented as a cause for celebration. In what follows I suggest that this is far from being an accurate assessment of its impact and go on to suggest that it was not achieved as a result of a broad consensus but rather the product and ultimate betrayal of the hopes and dreams of disabled people ourselves.
As such, my version of this history has important lessons for disabled people ourselves.
Full text (HTML)
Monday, 17 June 2013
Disability, Oppression and Violence: Towards a Sociological Explanation
an article by Andrea Hollomotz (University of Leeds, UK) published in Sociology Volume 47 Number 3 (June 2013)
Abstract
Disabled people are exposed to a higher incidence of violence compared to the population average. Consequently, they are often described as ‘vulnerable’.
This article argues that this concept focuses explanations for violence on the person at risk. It therefore redirects attention towards the social forces that make violence more likely to occur.
With reference to case studies, a micro-analysis outlines how subtle forms of oppression, including imbalanced personal relationships, social exclusion, restricted autonomy and a higher tolerance for maltreatment within segregated settings, affect the daily experiences of disabled people. This is followed by a macro-analysis, which exposes further structural inequalities and a societal ratification of hostility towards disabled people.
These processes are described as forming a continuum, which highlights that boundaries between mundane experiences and contact violence are at times blurred and shifting.
Abstract
Disabled people are exposed to a higher incidence of violence compared to the population average. Consequently, they are often described as ‘vulnerable’.
This article argues that this concept focuses explanations for violence on the person at risk. It therefore redirects attention towards the social forces that make violence more likely to occur.
With reference to case studies, a micro-analysis outlines how subtle forms of oppression, including imbalanced personal relationships, social exclusion, restricted autonomy and a higher tolerance for maltreatment within segregated settings, affect the daily experiences of disabled people. This is followed by a macro-analysis, which exposes further structural inequalities and a societal ratification of hostility towards disabled people.
These processes are described as forming a continuum, which highlights that boundaries between mundane experiences and contact violence are at times blurred and shifting.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
The Return of the Family? Welfare State Retrenchment and Client Autonomy in Long-Term Care
an article by Ellen Grootegoed (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and Diana van Dijk (Centre for Social Policy Studies, City of Rotterdam) published in Journal of Social Policy Volume 41 Issue 4 (October 2012)
Abstract
European welfare states are cutting back their responsibilities for long-term care, emphasising ‘self-reliance’ and replacing care as an entitlement of citizenship with targeted services.
But we do not know how former long-term care recipients cope with retrenchment and if they are able to negotiate support from their family and friends.
Through an analysis of 500 telephone interviews and thirty face-to-face interviews with long-term care recipients facing reduced care rights in the Netherlands, we found that disabled and elderly persons resist increased dependence on their personal networks.
Most clients who face reduced access to public long-term care do not seek alternative help despite their perceived need for it, and feel trapped between the policy definition of self-reliance and their own ideals of autonomy.
Abstract
European welfare states are cutting back their responsibilities for long-term care, emphasising ‘self-reliance’ and replacing care as an entitlement of citizenship with targeted services.
But we do not know how former long-term care recipients cope with retrenchment and if they are able to negotiate support from their family and friends.
Through an analysis of 500 telephone interviews and thirty face-to-face interviews with long-term care recipients facing reduced care rights in the Netherlands, we found that disabled and elderly persons resist increased dependence on their personal networks.
Most clients who face reduced access to public long-term care do not seek alternative help despite their perceived need for it, and feel trapped between the policy definition of self-reliance and their own ideals of autonomy.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Disabled people’s living standards: filling a policy vacuum
an article by D.P. Doessel (Griffith University, Australia), Ruth F.G. Williams, (Griffith University, Australia and Latrobe University, Australia) published in International Journal of Social Economics Volume 38 Issue 4 (2011)
Abstract
Purpose
Government policy can alleviate inequities in living standards. Disabled people often qualify for government assistance which is one way that their living standard can improve, although arbitrary systems for distributing assistance are not likely to serve equity objectives. The purpose of this paper is to indicate the key variables to which government should direct attention, in order to alleviate both horizontal and vertical inequity in grants to disabled people.
Design/methodology/approach
There is no literature, either theoretical or empirical, that specifically addresses this problem. This paper invokes important economic concepts associated with the nineteenth century English philosopher/economist, John Stuart Mill, as well as the 1998 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Amartya Sen. Mill’s general conception of how government should behave in treating citizens was elaborated subsequently in the public finance literature on principles of taxation. These notions are about “the equal treatment of equals” and “the unequal treatment of unequals”. Sen’s recent discussion of the “conversion handicap” from his general framework of capabilities is highly relevant to the question addressed here.
Findings
These concepts, applied with some analytical tools of algebra and geometry, show that Mill’s principles can combine with Sen’s into a relevant conceptual framework. The central principles and concepts for policy formation on the standard of living for disabled people are not random; they can be specified with clarity.
Originality/value
This paper contributes the relevant conceptual “yardsticks” by which policy for distributing assistance to disabled people can be evaluated. Steps, towards devising better approaches to the distribution of assistance to disabled people can now be taken.
Abstract
Purpose
Government policy can alleviate inequities in living standards. Disabled people often qualify for government assistance which is one way that their living standard can improve, although arbitrary systems for distributing assistance are not likely to serve equity objectives. The purpose of this paper is to indicate the key variables to which government should direct attention, in order to alleviate both horizontal and vertical inequity in grants to disabled people.
Design/methodology/approach
There is no literature, either theoretical or empirical, that specifically addresses this problem. This paper invokes important economic concepts associated with the nineteenth century English philosopher/economist, John Stuart Mill, as well as the 1998 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Amartya Sen. Mill’s general conception of how government should behave in treating citizens was elaborated subsequently in the public finance literature on principles of taxation. These notions are about “the equal treatment of equals” and “the unequal treatment of unequals”. Sen’s recent discussion of the “conversion handicap” from his general framework of capabilities is highly relevant to the question addressed here.
Findings
These concepts, applied with some analytical tools of algebra and geometry, show that Mill’s principles can combine with Sen’s into a relevant conceptual framework. The central principles and concepts for policy formation on the standard of living for disabled people are not random; they can be specified with clarity.
Originality/value
This paper contributes the relevant conceptual “yardsticks” by which policy for distributing assistance to disabled people can be evaluated. Steps, towards devising better approaches to the distribution of assistance to disabled people can now be taken.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Disabled talent flocks to Jobsgopublic.com
via Onrec.com - United Kingdom headlines on 3 April
Jobsgopublic.com: Linking disabled job seekers with recruiters
The latest statistics released in the 2008 NORAS (National Online Recruitment Audience Survey) shows that Jobsgopublic’s commitment to disabled talent has been recognised by the target audience. Reporting double the national average of job seekers who declare a disability, 6% of all Jobsgopublic jobseekers are sufficiently confident of Jobsgopublic software, and their clients’ commitment to recruiting disabled talent, to declare their disability on application.
Read the full article
Hazel's comment:
I remember reading, a while back, a leaflet aimed at disabled graduates which discussed the issue of whether or not to disclose a disability to a prospective employer. In the end the author concluded by leaving it up to a person's own decision having set out the pros and cons. I assume that the disadvantages are still there having looked at the figures for unemployment among disabled people as compared to other groups of people. Jobseekers and employers are becoming clearer about discrimination law and what is or is not permissible under the law.
Jobsgopublic.com: Linking disabled job seekers with recruiters
The latest statistics released in the 2008 NORAS (National Online Recruitment Audience Survey) shows that Jobsgopublic’s commitment to disabled talent has been recognised by the target audience. Reporting double the national average of job seekers who declare a disability, 6% of all Jobsgopublic jobseekers are sufficiently confident of Jobsgopublic software, and their clients’ commitment to recruiting disabled talent, to declare their disability on application.
Read the full article
Hazel's comment:
I remember reading, a while back, a leaflet aimed at disabled graduates which discussed the issue of whether or not to disclose a disability to a prospective employer. In the end the author concluded by leaving it up to a person's own decision having set out the pros and cons. I assume that the disadvantages are still there having looked at the figures for unemployment among disabled people as compared to other groups of people. Jobseekers and employers are becoming clearer about discrimination law and what is or is not permissible under the law.
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