 |
 |
Dear all, I'm battling with my PhD thesis and have had a very confusing meeting with my supervisors. We disagree substantially about whether or not it is best to use the social model or medical models of disability and they don't seem very happy with my interpretation of models of disability in Higher Education (see below). If any of you can assist me in developing my musings it would be very much appreciated. As I see it, SENDA is based on the DDA 1995 definition of disability as "a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities" (DDA 1995, s1(1)). Since it refers to the impairment having an adverse effect and not to society imposing barriers on a person with impairments this does not adhere to the social model of disability and seems more medical model. Similarly, since medical evidence is needed for DSA applications and medical professionals are often asked to comment on the impact on the student's studies this seems to be adopting a medical model of disability. HEFCE mainstream allocation funding is also based on DSA the number of successful applications so relies on the medical model too. However, most universities claim in their Disability Equality Statements that they adhere to the Social Model. But if universities are trying to implement the social model within a framework of medical model lead funding and legislation does this not cause conflicts? Does this make sense? One of my supervisors argues that just because medical professionals are involved they may not be using the medical model. But it seems to me that requiring their involvement and proof of disability is medical model - perhaps I'm wrong in this. My own personal experience seems to back this up too - the medical professionals I have dealt with are very clinical (as you might expect) and have no idea what impact my visual impairment or any of my other disabilities have on my studies beyond saying I will have difficulty reading standard size text. If the social model was being implemented the professional required would be one who can identify the barriers rather than just identifying the impairment - an this would be a disability tutor or similar. I know that once the proof is obtained an assessment is made that fits the social model better, but it focuses on individual rather than general adjustments which leads to my next problem... I have my own difficulties with the social model as by blaming society it seems to imply that society can make general adjustments to meet the needs of all people. However, if you apply this to a person with a visual impairment who experiences standard size text as a barrier how do you overcome this? You can't produce every size of text, Braille, audio etc for every piece of standard size text. The answer seems to me to make an accessible electronic copy available generally to all and then make an individual adjustment to create the exact format the person requires. However, doesn't the need to make individual adjustments focus on the individual impairment rather than the general barrier? Or is the social model flexible enough to allow for both general and individual adjustments? As you can probably tell I'm quite confused about all this so if you have any suggestions or advice, or can point me in the direction of using reading, I will be very grateful, Thanks, Emma -- Emma Jane Rowlett (née Wright) School of Sociology and Social Policy University of Nottingham [log in to unmask] www.accessingmaterials.org.uk