Great positive quote Jeremy.  Here's another you may like if you don't know it already - a complete contrast to conceptual conservatism:
 

"It is not for the disabled to adapt to the dominant and dominating world of the so-called non-disabled. It is for us to adapt our understanding of a common humanity; to learn of the richness of how human life is diverse; to recognise the presence of disability in our human midst as an enrichment of our diversity." Nelson Mandela

Joel
 
Joel Petrie
Advanced Lecturer (Science, Humanities & Education) 
Liverpool Community College
Duke St
82 Tradewinds Square
Liverpool L1 5BG

________________________________

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Jeremy Fox
Sent: Fri 24/09/2010 14:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: SFE - and their decisions.



I believe the way SFE and DSA-QAG handle DSA issues could be vastly improved. However, this particular decision strikes me as fundamentally right. The DDA - and, I assume, the forthcoming Equality Act - requires institutions actively to remove barriers, to avoid age-related criteria in making decisions, and to take positive steps to anticipate and remove discriminatory obstacles. Personally, I shudder at the idea of a faceless bureaucracy requiring a potential DSA recipient to jump through additional hoops on the basis of a day's difference in their date of birth. Flexibility and sympathetic judgment are what one would hope for from decision-makers in a society that cares for its citizens.   "Given what can be achieved through intelligent and humane intervention," writes Amartya Sen , "it is amazing how inactive and smug most societies are about.....disability...Conceptual conservatism plays a significant role." (The Idea of Justice, Penguin, pp. 259-260). Something to bear in mind?


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed.  Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Liverpool Community College or associated companies.  You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient.

The message content of in-coming emails is automatically scanned to identify Spam and viruses otherwise Liverpool Community College does not actively monitor content.  However, sometimes it will be necessary for Liverpool Community College to access business communications during staff absence.

Liverpool Community College has taken steps to ensure that this email and any attachments are virus free.  However, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Liverpool Community College for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------