Hi Jenny,
I just want to register my full agreement to your thoughts on how we
should deal with the term vulnerable.
Well said.
Lauro
Original message:
> It's a social model versus medical model issue: to describe someone as a
> 'vulnerable adult' is to make the individual the problem, rather than the
> context in which they experience their impairment/illness or other
> characteristic.
> A social model approach recognises that someone is not 'vulnerable' because
> of their impairment but because of the way society responds to them. So for
> example, a person who does not use speech to communicate is vulnerable to
> abuse if they are exposed to abusive people who see them as an easy target
> and if others do not take the trouble understand how they communicate what
> they have experienced.
> Or, if someone was blind/partially sighted, they are vulnerable to injury if
> they are not provided with the assistance/equipment to enable them to safely
> move around a strange environment.
> 'Vulnerability' is created by others, not a characteristic of the
> individual.
> So if I was having to write such a document as you refer to, rather than
> talk about 'vulnerable adults' I would try and place the emphasis on others'
> behaviours rather than on the disabled person.
> But I know it's hard!
> Jenny
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Roisin Dermody
> Sent: 02 October 2012 02:10
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Vulnerable adults
> Hi everyone,
> I'm involved with a sports organization for people who are blind/vision
> impaired and we are updating our policy documents which include child
> protection and volunteer policies.
> For funding and insurgence purposes, we need to make reference to
> "vulnerable adults", which makes me uncomfortable as I don't consider myself
> a "vulnerable adult". I have worded the document in such a way so that it
> doesn't refer to all of us who are blind/vision impaired to be "vulnerable
> adults" at all times.
> so I need a definition of "vulnerable adults" which I can live with.
> Can anyone suggest a definition that is respectful and maintains the dignity
> of the "vulnerable adult" ?
> Thanks,
> Roisin
> Róisín Dermody
> [log in to unmask]
> +353-87-9370-337
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