 |
 |
n a message dated 27/08/01 09:35:20 GMT Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > > By the same token and in relation to work around disability and domestic > violence, disabled women do not 'choose' to be involved in > oppressive/abusive relationships. > > The social model concept does not have to be initially offered to > participants on social model language terms etc. and nor do we need to > objectify impairment, wouldn't that be enough to scare anyone away? > > The road to empowerment surely must to be more than developing " > unpoliticised > disabled, isolated people's consciousness". Unless of course researching > disabled peoples lives is not actually about empowerment. Then if that's the > case, surely the researchers role will do nothing other than perpetuate > the > oppression. > > So in summary Pauline, I can see clearly why your research might be of > interest to researchers at an academic level but I can't see what the direct > benefits are to the disabled women you are researching, perhaps you could > enlighten me more please. Why can you see this research being of more interest to academics (disabled or non-disabled) ... I really don't see your point This research is about raising awareness re dv and disabled women - there is no research in this country which really explores it from disabled women' frames of reference - only from service providers (see Fiona Hill). Is this appropriate ... to explore the difficulties disabled women encounter from a service providers's perspective? There is some excellent research in Scotland though for Zero Tolerance (Macleod and Cosgrove) - if you are interested ... I wonder if they received the same amount of flak as I have? Must get in contact with them. The aim of this research is to look at what women want, and in concert with this I am involved in raising awareness among service providers. I cannot advise service providers of disabled women's requirements, without actually speaking to them/us. Again, I know there will be of disabled out there still being abused ... but perhaps if we have an idea of how to reach these women (through radio / free newspapers and generally inventive publicity). Also, participants are also equipped with knowledge of assisting disability and women's organisations, and perhaps contact with these orgs may go some way to hinder women individualising their experiences of disability and dv. At the same time, service providers will be provided with participants' advice on how to assist women in abusive relationships (from women who have been subjected to abuse). Maybe you feel this research is worthless .. you are entitled to your opinion ... but ALL the disabled women I have spoken to have approached me, and have verbalised their relief that such research is finally taking place. They feel marginalised from the Women's Movement and indeed, some feel marginalised and excluded from the disability movement, in as much as they believe they are not perceived as possessing the 'correct credentials'. You are very angry and frustrated and I am too (also a survivor of abuse), the lack of knowledge and attention given to this topic is guiding this research. If I internalised all the negativity I received from within H.E., and indeed, from a small minority of the movement, I would have given up my now. But it is my belief (and the participants), that this research is too important ... and believe me, it is not an easy option. It is tough for the participants and indeed myself ... evoking memories etc, and working within a disablist environment 52 weeks a year. But perhaps people want me to give up ... particularly abusers of disabled women (and men) ... I will not. Anyway must get on transcribing now Pauline ________________End of message______________________ Archives and tools for the Disability-Research Discussion List are now located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can JOIN or LEAVE the list from this web page.