Not sure if it's related. Timing doesn't match, does it? It does match
with the increase dose in gastro supplements (June 1). I'll see what Novak
thinks. Hate to take away the Reumafan when it seems to have helped with
the back stuff.
Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed.
www.AbilityAwareness.com
"Beyond Awareness, Creating Futures without Fences"
On 6/10/12 4:00 PM, "DISABILITY-RESEARCH automatic digest system"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>There are 3 messages totaling 1564 lines in this issue.
>
>Topics of the day:
>
> 1. The role of disabled people within disability research: a few
>QUESTIONS
> 2. ply (2)
>
>________________End of message________________
>
>This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>(www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>
>Enquiries about list administration should be sent to
>[log in to unmask]
>
>Archives and tools are located at:
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>
>You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web
>page.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 05:57:01 +0200
>From: Tsitsi Chataika <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: The role of disabled people within disability research: a
>few QUESTIONS
>
>Dear Colleauges
>
>I agree with Kudzai. At times we unconciously use the term disability
>in place of impairment; unfortunately, this causes confusion to the
>disability studies discourse, as well as to policy makers, who are
>also struggling (if at all), to understand disability debates. The
>issue of limited opportunities for disabled people is a lived reality
>as Kudzai has indicated. Unless we all come together as disability
>researchers, disability activists and all other allies; and challenge
>the statusquo, it will be take a century, if not more to level the
>playing field.
>
>In terms of research; I have always argued that doing disability
>research without the people that experience the researched phenomenon
>is unacceptable. Hence, as researchers, disabled people should be
>partners in research; not just backyard partners, but a 'marriage of
>commitment' should be fostered. This also includes conducting research
>that is meant to benefit global south citizens. We cannot continue to
>engage in the colonial mentality where research is only dictacted by
>those from the North. Unfortunately, I have seen many research bids
>where the funder categorically indicates that that the principal
>investigator has to be residing in either UK or USA, and this makes me
>ask: "Can we not get principal investigators from the global south?"
>Personally, I have conducted some disability studies, with high impact
>as I clearly understand why research is important to change policy
>environments in Africa, but at the same time, not undermining her
>indegineous knowledge systems. I have always questioned reseachers who
>do not measure the tangible impact of their research - particularly
>within marginalised communities. The impact can always be measured by
>the intended beneficiaries when they are also partners in this
>exercise. I have practical examples of the A-PODD project that saw me
>working with DPOs in Uganda and Sierra Leone and how, as a critical
>mass, we managed to influence the policy environent, particularly in
>Uganda when disability issues were included the country's National
>Development Plan after our intervention. This is only possible when
>researchers not only go to research environments to collect data and
>establish their names through publications, and get professorships;
>but when they intervene in changing policy environments as they
>conduct their studies. So, the take home message is:
>
>"Never leave the researched environment the same way you found it when
>you first entred".
>
>Kudzai, we will continue the stuggle for a better Zimbabwe together,
>lets join hands and make our country the place we want it to be! By
>the way; this year's theme of the Day of the African Child on the 16th
>June is 'Children with disabilities" - We are planning a national
>television programme in Zimbabwe that broadcasted. So, other fellow
>Africans and genuine Global North partners, lets do something to
>promote the disabled African child on the 16th June in partnership
>with disabled people. Together we will make this world a better place
>to live.
>
>Tsitsi Chataika
>
>On 09/06/2012, Gordon C. Cardona <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Dear all,
>>
>> I feel I must thank all of you have replied me on the list or via my
>> personal email. All your comments proved useful in addressing my
>>concerns
>> and to re-think my own position within disability research in the
>>various
>> roles I have played - research subject and, later, that of researcher.
>>In
>> some way, this has made me aware of the problems that both roles
>>present to
>> us as individuals. For, inasmuch as we try, we can never fully detach
>> ourselves from our position within a particular context.
>>
>> However, I think that the role of disabled people within the research
>> process, especially within emancipatory research, remains central.
>>Indeed,
>> ideally disabled people should not only participate and be involved in
>>the
>> process of research but actually be conducting the research themselves.
>>Yet,
>> as some of you pointed out, this is not free from its dilemmas. For how
>>I
>> define myself as a disabled person will vary from another disabled
>>person
>> who wishes to be defined as "normal"? In this sense, must the disabled
>> person define him/herself in a particular political language to be truly
>> 'disabled' or representative of disabled people?
>>
>> As a researcher, there is the danger that, even if you identify
>>yourself as
>> 'disabled by society', you run the risk of downplaying the views of
>>those
>> also defined by society as 'disabled' but who don't look at their
>>situation
>> in such terms. There is also the danger that by representing the voices
>>of
>> disabled people, researchers may take it onto themselves to become the
>> defenders of disabled people to the extent that they even perceive
>>disabled
>> activists who dare speak for themselves as a threat to their status or
>> position. It's like a 'holier than thou' attitude you find amongst some
>> 'religious' types. Once again, by taking over the role of spokesperson
>>for
>> the cause of disabled people, a researcher may in fact become, as Larry
>> would term it, a "colonizer". And the risk of presuming that you are
>>right
>> and the only true voice of disabled people becomes greater if you are a
>> disabled person with visible impairments.
>>
>> However, I find a certain resolution to counter the risks posed by the
>> relationship between disability research/researcher. And that is to
>>ensure
>> that you take care to let go of the need to be the centre of the
>>research
>> process but serve instead of a mediator, or translator, and sincerely
>> attempt to represent the voices of those who you are claiming to
>>represent.
>> As I read from other papers on the subject of emancipatory disability
>> research, such research is not meant to be a project that ends there.
>> Rather, it's a process and, indeed, the 'project' might be only the
>>first
>> step to achieve the transformational power of emancipatory research.
>>
>> While we cannot severe ourselves from our background or roots as
>>researcher
>> - whether we identify as disabled or not - our role should be, I think,
>> twofold.
>>
>> On the one hand, we must strive to present the voices of disabled
>>people in
>> a way that is in conformity with the practice within sociological
>>research.
>>
>> On the other, we must keep in mind that any commitment we might have to
>>the
>> cause of the disability movement cannot come before the actual and
>>reality
>> that is expressed by disabled participants .
>>
>> In this sense, I feel that if I continue contributing to disability
>>activism
>> and as a researcher, I need to let go of the need to usurp the voices of
>> disabled people who I seek to represent, but rather take this as an
>> opportunity to further empower other disabled people and encourage other
>> disabled people to find value in their life and to enjoy a better
>>quality of
>> life. That is, I believe what emancipation is all about. That is, I
>>think,
>> what disability activism should be all about.
>>
>> Best,
>> Gordon
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Gordon C. Cardona
>> BA Hon. (Malta), MA (Leeds)
>> ---------------------------
>> Contact Info
>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>> Web: http://www.gordongd.com/
>> Join me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/GordonGT
>> Join me on FaceBook @http://www.facebook.com/gordongt
>>
>> ³If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
>> If you want others to be happy, practice compassion²
>> HH The 14th Dalai Lama (6 July 1935 - present)
>>
>> On 01 Jun 2012, at 16:49, Gordon C. Cardona wrote:
>> Dear all,
>> When I became involved in disability research, I wasn¹t unsure of what
>>I was
>> getting involved in. I have met a lot of people from various fields of
>>life,
>> some of which were academics or professionals. While I don¹t claim to
>>be an
>> ³experienced academic² in the field of disability studies, I felt a
>>certain
>> unease to realise that the vast majority, with few notable exceptions,
>>were
>> non-disabled.
>>
>> While, there¹s no denying that there has been a lot of valuable and
>>useful
>> research conducted by non-disabled people researchers who practice the
>> objectives of conducting emancipatory disability that yields practical
>> improvements in our life as disabled people, the lack of disabled
>> researchers is, indeed, anomalous. Granted, this may be simply my
>>perception
>> but, unfortunately, those people who should ³own² this research and,
>> ideally, conduct it themselves remain absent from much of the research
>> process.
>>
>> This prompts me to ask why disabled people as researchers is fairly
>>limited
>> and, unlike other disciplines such as feminist studies, the group of
>> interest is in the minority and has, in effect, little or no clear
>>control.
>> Here, I am not denying that efforts are being made to increase the
>>number of
>> disabled academics engaging in emancipatory and related disability
>>research.
>> I know, because I have benefited from such an opportunity with the
>> University of Leeds.
>>
>> Yet, I beg the questions:
>>
>> To what extent does disability research which purports to be
>>³emancipatory²
>> can end up being a source of further oppression and alienation of
>>disabled
>> people?
>>
>> To what extent dubious research can enforce negative attitudes or
>> stereotypes?
>>
>> To what extent does disability research conducted by non-disabled people
>> actually representing the views of disabled participants who are took
>>part
>> in the research?
>>
>> How far can disability research go until it becomes exploitative rather
>>than
>> empowering?
>>
>> Why are disabled people largely absent (it seems) from actual
>>involvement
>> in disability research and emancipatory disability research in
>>particular?
>>
>> And, perhaps the most controversial question:
>>
>> Can we have disability research without the active involvement of
>>disabled
>> people throughout the research process (not just in the data collection
>> phase)?
>>
>> I am putting these questions out there because as I¹m currently going
>> through compiling a report we conducted locally, I find myself asking
>> whether I may be, indeed Œhijacking¹ the voices of participants in the
>> process of interpreting the data. And, even if I¹m a disabled person
>>myself,
>> whether I risk imposing my own values about disability and my identity
>>as a
>> disabled person within the interpretation of results.
>>
>> Hope to read your comments/opinions.
>>
>> Best,
>> Gordon
>> Gordon C. Cardona
>> BA Hon. (Malta), MA (Leeds)
>> ---------------------------
>> Contact Info
>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>> Web: http://www.gordongd.com/
>> Join me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/GordonGT
>> Join me on FaceBook @http://www.facebook.com/gordongt
>>
>> ³If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
>> If you want others to be happy, practice compassion²
>> HH The 14th Dalai Lama (6 July 1935 - present)
>>
>>
>> ________________End of message________________
>>
>> This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>> Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>> (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>>
>> Enquiries about list administration should be sent to
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Archives and tools are located at:
>> www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html
>>
>> You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web
>>page.
>>
>
>
>--
>Dr Tsitsi Chataika
>Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations
>University of Zimbabwe
>Faculty of Education
>P.O. Box MP167, Mt Pleasant
>Harare, Zimbabwe
> Cell: +263 774 429 687
>
>*Quote: It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is:
>what
>are we busy about? - Henry David Thorea*
>
>________________End of message________________
>
>This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>(www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>
>Enquiries about list administration should be sent to
>[log in to unmask]
>
>Archives and tools are located at:
>www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html
>
>You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web
>page.
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:12:24 +0100
>From: jacqui lovell <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: ply
>
>
>Dear Tsitsi, thanks for your post. Your philosophy and approach are very
>similar to the one that I take as a researcher who aims to work in
>partnership with people who have had experiences of being marginliased
>and oppressed within their societies. It is clear that you are working
>with people to influence those who make policy and whilst I applaud this
>I think that I choose to work for social change working from the bottom
>up as for me this is where the change has to come from. Although I
>recognise the need for both to happen, grass roots social change
>movements coupled with change at the policy level. I work using a
>community psychology approach as advocated by Paulo Freire in his book
>"Pedagogy of the Oppressed" in which he introduced the concept of
>"Conscientization" which is a dialogical process whereby the person
>raises their awareness of the various ways in which they have been
>oppressed and excluded, in which colonialism and imperialism and many
>other isms such as sexism, racism, homophobia, diablism have acted upon
>the person as well as the economic, historical and political forces that
>have led them to a life that is not what they would want for themselves.
>He worked with poor and oppressed people in Brazil through this process
>in order to supprt them in developing their literacy skills so that they
>could get the vote and by doing so have an influence on the
>instititutions that exerted control over their lives. He spoke of the
>need for people to become aware of the various ways in which the society
>they live in and the history (and herstory) have contributed to their
>being kept down and the imbalance being maintained so that the poor
>remain poor (and often get poorer) and the rich and powerful maintain
>themselves in positions of control. He brought in economics and other
>relevant subjects to this problemitization process and worked together
>with people to effect social change. I also attempt to adopt the approach
>advocated by Ignacio Martin-Baro and his development of a Liberation
>Psychology approach in which he advocated for the whole of psychology to
>be turned on its head so that as social scientists we start from the
>bottom and look up from there fighting and standing in solidairty with
>people to effect social change. He said that "more than anyone else the
>role of the social scientist should be not so much to measure what exists
>as to change it!" and I heartily agree with him. I am currently working
>with people who have experienced multiple levels of stigmatisation and
>discrimination in the UK and other European countries and am hopeful that
>I can partner with people in Turkey in the summer and Brazil later this
>year and one day Africa, once my responsibilities at home diminish as my
>children grow and I am able to reolcate to live and work in the global
>South. I am using a tool called bodymapping coupled with participatory
>video production so that the voices of those people who are least often
>heard are taken account of within the evaluation process, in order for
>projects on the ground to grow and develop in line with the thoughts,
>feelings, needs and experiences of the people who use them. As someone
>who has experienced mental distress in my life and who has experienced
>stigma and discrimination as a result of my life choices, I have my lived
>experience to guide me in this but this is not enough without the lived
>experience and influences of the people with whom I work as their
>perspective and perception and their political and social awareness often
>raise issues that I would not otherwise see let alone take account of, so
>for me it is a continual challenge that I engage with the oppressor
>within me, with the cultural and imperialistic influences that have
>shaped who and how I am and that I want to minimise and hopefully one day
>rid myself of in relation to my life and my work. I work to keep my
>awareness raised every day as for me this is the only way in which I can
>be true to the people wirh whom I am engaging and working. I am not niave
>enough to believe that I will bring everyone with me on this journey but
>I want to open the doors through my academic life so that those people
>who choose to can have a chance to do so, as many of the academic
>institutions are themselves negating and imperialistic in their attitude
>towards people whose intelligence is about life and not shaped or formed
>in their predefined routes or subject areas. I reject the hierarchy
>imposed on researchers with the clinical trial at the top and other
>research underneath given that the scientific approach is based on the
>false premise that we as human beings can be objective when I and many
>others know this is not true and never can be. I would therefore
>tentatively suggest that a Critical, Community and Liberation Psychology
>approach have the potential to effect social change in partnership with
>the people who would benefit from it. In Soldarity and Sisterhood jacqui
>lovell
>
> > Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 05:57:01 +0200
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: The role of disabled people within disability research: a
>>few QUESTIONS
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Dear Colleauges
>>
>> I agree with Kudzai. At times we unconciously use the term disability
>> in place of impairment; unfortunately, this causes confusion to the
>> disability studies discourse, as well as to policy makers, who are
>> also struggling (if at all), to understand disability debates. The
>> issue of limited opportunities for disabled people is a lived reality
>> as Kudzai has indicated. Unless we all come together as disability
>> researchers, disability activists and all other allies; and challenge
>> the statusquo, it will be take a century, if not more to level the
>> playing field.
>>
>> In terms of research; I have always argued that doing disability
>> research without the people that experience the researched phenomenon
>> is unacceptable. Hence, as researchers, disabled people should be
>> partners in research; not just backyard partners, but a 'marriage of
>> commitment' should be fostered. This also includes conducting research
>> that is meant to benefit global south citizens. We cannot continue to
>> engage in the colonial mentality where research is only dictacted by
>> those from the North. Unfortunately, I have seen many research bids
>> where the funder categorically indicates that that the principal
>> investigator has to be residing in either UK or USA, and this makes me
>> ask: "Can we not get principal investigators from the global south?"
>> Personally, I have conducted some disability studies, with high impact
>> as I clearly understand why research is important to change policy
>> environments in Africa, but at the same time, not undermining her
>> indegineous knowledge systems. I have always questioned reseachers who
>> do not measure the tangible impact of their research - particularly
>> within marginalised communities. The impact can always be measured by
>> the intended beneficiaries when they are also partners in this
>> exercise. I have practical examples of the A-PODD project that saw me
>> working with DPOs in Uganda and Sierra Leone and how, as a critical
>> mass, we managed to influence the policy environent, particularly in
>> Uganda when disability issues were included the country's National
>> Development Plan after our intervention. This is only possible when
>> researchers not only go to research environments to collect data and
>> establish their names through publications, and get professorships;
>> but when they intervene in changing policy environments as they
>> conduct their studies. So, the take home message is:
>>
>> "Never leave the researched environment the same way you found it when
>> you first entred".
>>
>> Kudzai, we will continue the stuggle for a better Zimbabwe together,
>> lets join hands and make our country the place we want it to be! By
>> the way; this year's theme of the Day of the African Child on the 16th
>> June is 'Children with disabilities" - We are planning a national
>> television programme in Zimbabwe that broadcasted. So, other fellow
>> Africans and genuine Global North partners, lets do something to
>> promote the disabled African child on the 16th June in partnership
>> with disabled people. Together we will make this world a better place
>> to live.
>>
>> Tsitsi Chataika
>>
>> On 09/06/2012, Gordon C. Cardona <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> > Dear all,
>> >
>> > I feel I must thank all of you have replied me on the list or via my
>> > personal email. All your comments proved useful in addressing my
>>concerns
>> > and to re-think my own position within disability research in the
>>various
>> > roles I have played - research subject and, later, that of
>>researcher. In
>> > some way, this has made me aware of the problems that both roles
>>present to
>> > us as individuals. For, inasmuch as we try, we can never fully detach
>> > ourselves from our position within a particular context.
>> >
>> > However, I think that the role of disabled people within the research
>> > process, especially within emancipatory research, remains central.
>>Indeed,
>> > ideally disabled people should not only participate and be involved
>>in the
>> > process of research but actually be conducting the research
>>themselves. Yet,
>> > as some of you pointed out, this is not free from its dilemmas. For
>>how I
>> > define myself as a disabled person will vary from another disabled
>>person
>> > who wishes to be defined as "normal"? In this sense, must the disabled
>> > person define him/herself in a particular political language to be
>>truly
>> > 'disabled' or representative of disabled people?
>> >
>> > As a researcher, there is the danger that, even if you identify
>>yourself as
>> > 'disabled by society', you run the risk of downplaying the views of
>>those
>> > also defined by society as 'disabled' but who don't look at their
>>situation
>> > in such terms. There is also the danger that by representing the
>>voices of
>> > disabled people, researchers may take it onto themselves to become
>>the
>> > defenders of disabled people to the extent that they even perceive
>>disabled
>> > activists who dare speak for themselves as a threat to their status or
>> > position. It's like a 'holier than thou' attitude you find amongst
>>some
>> > 'religious' types. Once again, by taking over the role of
>>spokesperson for
>> > the cause of disabled people, a researcher may in fact become, as
>>Larry
>> > would term it, a "colonizer". And the risk of presuming that you are
>>right
>> > and the only true voice of disabled people becomes greater if you are
>>a
>> > disabled person with visible impairments.
>> >
>> > However, I find a certain resolution to counter the risks posed by the
>> > relationship between disability research/researcher. And that is to
>>ensure
>> > that you take care to let go of the need to be the centre of the
>>research
>> > process but serve instead of a mediator, or translator, and sincerely
>> > attempt to represent the voices of those who you are claiming to
>>represent.
>> > As I read from other papers on the subject of emancipatory disability
>> > research, such research is not meant to be a project that ends there.
>> > Rather, it's a process and, indeed, the 'project' might be only the
>>first
>> > step to achieve the transformational power of emancipatory research.
>> >
>> > While we cannot severe ourselves from our background or roots as
>>researcher
>> > - whether we identify as disabled or not - our role should be, I
>>think,
>> > twofold.
>> >
>> > On the one hand, we must strive to present the voices of disabled
>>people in
>> > a way that is in conformity with the practice within sociological
>>research.
>> >
>> > On the other, we must keep in mind that any commitment we might have
>>to the
>> > cause of the disability movement cannot come before the actual and
>>reality
>> > that is expressed by disabled participants .
>> >
>> > In this sense, I feel that if I continue contributing to disability
>>activism
>> > and as a researcher, I need to let go of the need to usurp the voices
>>of
>> > disabled people who I seek to represent, but rather take this as an
>> > opportunity to further empower other disabled people and encourage
>>other
>> > disabled people to find value in their life and to enjoy a better
>>quality of
>> > life. That is, I believe what emancipation is all about. That is, I
>>think,
>> > what disability activism should be all about.
>> >
>> > Best,
>> > Gordon
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Gordon C. Cardona
>> > BA Hon. (Malta), MA (Leeds)
>> > ---------------------------
>> > Contact Info
>> > Email: [log in to unmask]
>> > Web: http://www.gordongd.com/
>> > Join me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/GordonGT
>> > Join me on FaceBook @http://www.facebook.com/gordongt
>> >
>> > ³If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
>> > If you want others to be happy, practice compassion²
>> > HH The 14th Dalai Lama (6 July 1935 - present)
>> >
>> > On 01 Jun 2012, at 16:49, Gordon C. Cardona wrote:
>> > Dear all,
>> > When I became involved in disability research, I wasn¹t unsure of
>>what I was
>> > getting involved in. I have met a lot of people from various fields
>>of life,
>> > some of which were academics or professionals. While I don¹t claim to
>>be an
>> > ³experienced academic² in the field of disability studies, I felt a
>>certain
>> > unease to realise that the vast majority, with few notable
>>exceptions, were
>> > non-disabled.
>> >
>> > While, there¹s no denying that there has been a lot of valuable and
>>useful
>> > research conducted by non-disabled people researchers who practice the
>> > objectives of conducting emancipatory disability that yields practical
>> > improvements in our life as disabled people, the lack of disabled
>> > researchers is, indeed, anomalous. Granted, this may be simply my
>>perception
>> > but, unfortunately, those people who should ³own² this research and,
>> > ideally, conduct it themselves remain absent from much of the
>>research
>> > process.
>> >
>> > This prompts me to ask why disabled people as researchers is fairly
>>limited
>> > and, unlike other disciplines such as feminist studies, the group of
>> > interest is in the minority and has, in effect, little or no clear
>>control.
>> > Here, I am not denying that efforts are being made to increase the
>>number of
>> > disabled academics engaging in emancipatory and related disability
>>research.
>> > I know, because I have benefited from such an opportunity with the
>> > University of Leeds.
>> >
>> > Yet, I beg the questions:
>> >
>> > To what extent does disability research which purports to be
>>³emancipatory²
>> > can end up being a source of further oppression and alienation of
>>disabled
>> > people?
>> >
>> > To what extent dubious research can enforce negative attitudes or
>> > stereotypes?
>> >
>> > To what extent does disability research conducted by non-disabled
>>people
>> > actually representing the views of disabled participants who are took
>>part
>> > in the research?
>> >
>> > How far can disability research go until it becomes exploitative
>>rather than
>> > empowering?
>> >
>> > Why are disabled people largely absent (it seems) from actual
>>involvement
>> > in disability research and emancipatory disability research in
>>particular?
>> >
>> > And, perhaps the most controversial question:
>> >
>> > Can we have disability research without the active involvement of
>>disabled
>> > people throughout the research process (not just in the data
>>collection
>> > phase)?
>> >
>> > I am putting these questions out there because as I¹m currently going
>> > through compiling a report we conducted locally, I find myself asking
>> > whether I may be, indeed Œhijacking¹ the voices of participants in the
>> > process of interpreting the data. And, even if I¹m a disabled person
>>myself,
>> > whether I risk imposing my own values about disability and my
>>identity as a
>> > disabled person within the interpretation of results.
>> >
>> > Hope to read your comments/opinions.
>> >
>> > Best,
>> > Gordon
>> > Gordon C. Cardona
>> > BA Hon. (Malta), MA (Leeds)
>> > ---------------------------
>> > Contact Info
>> > Email: [log in to unmask]
>> > Web: http://www.gordongd.com/
>> > Join me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/GordonGT
>> > Join me on FaceBook @http://www.facebook.com/gordongt
>> >
>> > ³If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
>> > If you want others to be happy, practice compassion²
>> > HH The 14th Dalai Lama (6 July 1935 - present)
>> >
>> >
>> > ________________End of message________________
>> >
>> > This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>> > Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>> > (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>> >
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>>page.
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Dr Tsitsi Chataika
>> Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations
>> University of Zimbabwe
>> Faculty of Education
>> P.O. Box MP167, Mt Pleasant
>> Harare, Zimbabwe
>> Cell: +263 774 429 687
>>
>> *Quote: It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is:
>>what
>> are we busy about? - Henry David Thorea*
>>
>> ________________End of message________________
>>
>> This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>>Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>>(www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
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>
>________________End of message________________
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>------------------------------
>
>Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 15:58:45 +0200
>From: Tsitsi Chataika <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: ply
>
>On 10/06/2012, jacqui lovell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Tsitsi, thanks for your post. Your philosophy and approach are very
>> similar to the one that I take as a researcher who aims to work in
>> partnership with people who have had experiences of being marginliased
>>and
>> oppressed within their societies. It is clear that you are working with
>> people to influence those who make policy and whilst I applaud this I
>>think
>> that I choose to work for social change working from the bottom up as
>>for me
>> this is where the change has to come from. Although I recognise the
>>need for
>> both to happen, grass roots social change movements coupled with change
>>at
>> the policy level. I work using a community psychology approach as
>>advocated
>> by Paulo Freire in his book "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" in which he
>> introduced the concept of "Conscientization" which is a dialogical
>>process
>> whereby the person raises their awareness of the various ways in which
>>they
>> have been oppressed and excluded, in which colonialism and imperialism
>>and
>> many other isms such as sexism, racism, homophobia, diablism have acted
>>upon
>> the person as well as the economic, historical and political forces that
>> have led them to a life that is not what they would want for
>>themselves. He
>> worked with poor and oppressed people in Brazil through this process in
>> order to supprt them in developing their literacy skills so that they
>>could
>> get the vote and by doing so have an influence on the instititutions
>>that
>> exerted control over their lives. He spoke of the need for people to
>>become
>> aware of the various ways in which the society they live in and the
>>history
>> (and herstory) have contributed to their being kept down and the
>>imbalance
>> being maintained so that the poor remain poor (and often get poorer)
>>and the
>> rich and powerful maintain themselves in positions of control. He
>>brought in
>> economics and other relevant subjects to this problemitization process
>>and
>> worked together with people to effect social change. I also attempt to
>>adopt
>> the approach advocated by Ignacio Martin-Baro and his development of a
>> Liberation Psychology approach in which he advocated for the whole of
>> psychology to be turned on its head so that as social scientists we
>>start
>> from the bottom and look up from there fighting and standing in
>>solidairty
>> with people to effect social change. He said that "more than anyone
>>else the
>> role of the social scientist should be not so much to measure what
>>exists as
>> to change it!" and I heartily agree with him. I am currently working
>>with
>> people who have experienced multiple levels of stigmatisation and
>> discrimination in the UK and other European countries and am hopeful
>>that I
>> can partner with people in Turkey in the summer and Brazil later this
>>year
>> and one day Africa, once my responsibilities at home diminish as my
>>children
>> grow and I am able to reolcate to live and work in the global South. I
>>am
>> using a tool called bodymapping coupled with participatory video
>>production
>> so that the voices of those people who are least often heard are taken
>> account of within the evaluation process, in order for projects on the
>> ground to grow and develop in line with the thoughts, feelings, needs
>>and
>> experiences of the people who use them. As someone who has experienced
>> mental distress in my life and who has experienced stigma and
>>discrimination
>> as a result of my life choices, I have my lived experience to guide me
>>in
>> this but this is not enough without the lived experience and influences
>>of
>> the people with whom I work as their perspective and perception and
>>their
>> political and social awareness often raise issues that I would not
>>otherwise
>> see let alone take account of, so for me it is a continual challenge
>>that I
>> engage with the oppressor within me, with the cultural and imperialistic
>> influences that have shaped who and how I am and that I want to
>>minimise and
>> hopefully one day rid myself of in relation to my life and my work. I
>>work
>> to keep my awareness raised every day as for me this is the only way in
>> which I can be true to the people wirh whom I am engaging and working.
>>I am
>> not niave enough to believe that I will bring everyone with me on this
>> journey but I want to open the doors through my academic life so that
>>those
>> people who choose to can have a chance to do so, as many of the academic
>> institutions are themselves negating and imperialistic in their attitude
>> towards people whose intelligence is about life and not shaped or
>>formed in
>> their predefined routes or subject areas. I reject the hierarchy
>>imposed on
>> researchers with the clinical trial at the top and other research
>>underneath
>> given that the scientific approach is based on the false premise that
>>we as
>> human beings can be objective when I and many others know this is not
>>true
>> and never can be. I would therefore tentatively suggest that a Critical,
>> Community and Liberation Psychology approach have the potential to
>>effect
>> social change in partnership with the people who would benefit from it.
>> In
>> Soldarity and Sisterhood jacqui lovell
>>
>> > Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 05:57:01 +0200
>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: The role of disabled people within disability research: a
>>>few
>>> QUESTIONS
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>> Dear Colleauges
>>>
>>> I agree with Kudzai. At times we unconciously use the term disability
>>> in place of impairment; unfortunately, this causes confusion to the
>>> disability studies discourse, as well as to policy makers, who are
>>> also struggling (if at all), to understand disability debates. The
>>> issue of limited opportunities for disabled people is a lived reality
>>> as Kudzai has indicated. Unless we all come together as disability
>>> researchers, disability activists and all other allies; and challenge
>>> the statusquo, it will be take a century, if not more to level the
>>> playing field.
>>>
>>> In terms of research; I have always argued that doing disability
>>> research without the people that experience the researched phenomenon
>>> is unacceptable. Hence, as researchers, disabled people should be
>>> partners in research; not just backyard partners, but a 'marriage of
>>> commitment' should be fostered. This also includes conducting research
>>> that is meant to benefit global south citizens. We cannot continue to
>>> engage in the colonial mentality where research is only dictacted by
>>> those from the North. Unfortunately, I have seen many research bids
>>> where the funder categorically indicates that that the principal
>>> investigator has to be residing in either UK or USA, and this makes me
>>> ask: "Can we not get principal investigators from the global south?"
>>> Personally, I have conducted some disability studies, with high impact
>>> as I clearly understand why research is important to change policy
>>> environments in Africa, but at the same time, not undermining her
>>> indegineous knowledge systems. I have always questioned reseachers who
>>> do not measure the tangible impact of their research - particularly
>>> within marginalised communities. The impact can always be measured by
>>> the intended beneficiaries when they are also partners in this
>>> exercise. I have practical examples of the A-PODD project that saw me
>>> working with DPOs in Uganda and Sierra Leone and how, as a critical
>>> mass, we managed to influence the policy environent, particularly in
>>> Uganda when disability issues were included the country's National
>>> Development Plan after our intervention. This is only possible when
>>> researchers not only go to research environments to collect data and
>>> establish their names through publications, and get professorships;
>>> but when they intervene in changing policy environments as they
>>> conduct their studies. So, the take home message is:
>>>
>>> "Never leave the researched environment the same way you found it when
>>> you first entred".
>>>
>>> Kudzai, we will continue the stuggle for a better Zimbabwe together,
>>> lets join hands and make our country the place we want it to be! By
>>> the way; this year's theme of the Day of the African Child on the 16th
>>> June is 'Children with disabilities" - We are planning a national
>>> television programme in Zimbabwe that broadcasted. So, other fellow
>>> Africans and genuine Global North partners, lets do something to
>>> promote the disabled African child on the 16th June in partnership
>>> with disabled people. Together we will make this world a better place
>>> to live.
>>>
>>> Tsitsi Chataika
>>>
>>> On 09/06/2012, Gordon C. Cardona <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> > Dear all,
>>> >
>>> > I feel I must thank all of you have replied me on the list or via my
>>> > personal email. All your comments proved useful in addressing my
>>> > concerns
>>> > and to re-think my own position within disability research in the
>>> > various
>>> > roles I have played - research subject and, later, that of
>>>researcher.
>>> > In
>>> > some way, this has made me aware of the problems that both roles
>>>present
>>> > to
>>> > us as individuals. For, inasmuch as we try, we can never fully detach
>>> > ourselves from our position within a particular context.
>>> >
>>> > However, I think that the role of disabled people within the research
>>> > process, especially within emancipatory research, remains central.
>>> > Indeed,
>>> > ideally disabled people should not only participate and be involved
>>>in
>>> > the
>>> > process of research but actually be conducting the research
>>>themselves.
>>> > Yet,
>>> > as some of you pointed out, this is not free from its dilemmas. For
>>>how
>>> > I
>>> > define myself as a disabled person will vary from another disabled
>>> > person
>>> > who wishes to be defined as "normal"? In this sense, must the
>>>disabled
>>> > person define him/herself in a particular political language to be
>>> > truly
>>> > 'disabled' or representative of disabled people?
>>> >
>>> > As a researcher, there is the danger that, even if you identify
>>>yourself
>>> > as
>>> > 'disabled by society', you run the risk of downplaying the views of
>>> > those
>>> > also defined by society as 'disabled' but who don't look at their
>>> > situation
>>> > in such terms. There is also the danger that by representing the
>>>voices
>>> > of
>>> > disabled people, researchers may take it onto themselves to become
>>>the
>>> > defenders of disabled people to the extent that they even perceive
>>> > disabled
>>> > activists who dare speak for themselves as a threat to their status
>>>or
>>> > position. It's like a 'holier than thou' attitude you find amongst
>>>some
>>> > 'religious' types. Once again, by taking over the role of
>>>spokesperson
>>> > for
>>> > the cause of disabled people, a researcher may in fact become, as
>>>Larry
>>> > would term it, a "colonizer". And the risk of presuming that you are
>>> > right
>>> > and the only true voice of disabled people becomes greater if you
>>>are a
>>> > disabled person with visible impairments.
>>> >
>>> > However, I find a certain resolution to counter the risks posed by
>>>the
>>> > relationship between disability research/researcher. And that is to
>>> > ensure
>>> > that you take care to let go of the need to be the centre of the
>>> > research
>>> > process but serve instead of a mediator, or translator, and sincerely
>>> > attempt to represent the voices of those who you are claiming to
>>> > represent.
>>> > As I read from other papers on the subject of emancipatory disability
>>> > research, such research is not meant to be a project that ends there.
>>> > Rather, it's a process and, indeed, the 'project' might be only the
>>> > first
>>> > step to achieve the transformational power of emancipatory research.
>>> >
>>> > While we cannot severe ourselves from our background or roots as
>>> > researcher
>>> > - whether we identify as disabled or not - our role should be, I
>>>think,
>>> > twofold.
>>> >
>>> > On the one hand, we must strive to present the voices of disabled
>>>people
>>> > in
>>> > a way that is in conformity with the practice within sociological
>>> > research.
>>> >
>>> > On the other, we must keep in mind that any commitment we might have
>>>to
>>> > the
>>> > cause of the disability movement cannot come before the actual and
>>> > reality
>>> > that is expressed by disabled participants .
>>> >
>>> > In this sense, I feel that if I continue contributing to disability
>>> > activism
>>> > and as a researcher, I need to let go of the need to usurp the voices
>>> > of
>>> > disabled people who I seek to represent, but rather take this as an
>>> > opportunity to further empower other disabled people and encourage
>>> > other
>>> > disabled people to find value in their life and to enjoy a better
>>> > quality of
>>> > life. That is, I believe what emancipation is all about. That is, I
>>> > think,
>>> > what disability activism should be all about.
>>> >
>>> > Best,
>>> > Gordon
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Gordon C. Cardona
>>> > BA Hon. (Malta), MA (Leeds)
>>> > ---------------------------
>>> > Contact Info
>>> > Email: [log in to unmask]
>>> > Web: http://www.gordongd.com/
>>> > Join me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/GordonGT
>>> > Join me on FaceBook @http://www.facebook.com/gordongt
>>> >
>>> > ³If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
>>> > If you want others to be happy, practice compassion²
>>> > HH The 14th Dalai Lama (6 July 1935 - present)
>>> >
>>> > On 01 Jun 2012, at 16:49, Gordon C. Cardona wrote:
>>> > Dear all,
>>> > When I became involved in disability research, I wasn¹t unsure of
>>>what I
>>> > was
>>> > getting involved in. I have met a lot of people from various fields
>>>of
>>> > life,
>>> > some of which were academics or professionals. While I don¹t claim
>>>to be
>>> > an
>>> > ³experienced academic² in the field of disability studies, I felt a
>>> > certain
>>> > unease to realise that the vast majority, with few notable
>>>exceptions,
>>> > were
>>> > non-disabled.
>>> >
>>> > While, there¹s no denying that there has been a lot of valuable and
>>> > useful
>>> > research conducted by non-disabled people researchers who practice
>>>the
>>> > objectives of conducting emancipatory disability that yields
>>>practical
>>> > improvements in our life as disabled people, the lack of disabled
>>> > researchers is, indeed, anomalous. Granted, this may be simply my
>>> > perception
>>> > but, unfortunately, those people who should ³own² this research and,
>>> > ideally, conduct it themselves remain absent from much of the
>>>research
>>> > process.
>>> >
>>> > This prompts me to ask why disabled people as researchers is fairly
>>> > limited
>>> > and, unlike other disciplines such as feminist studies, the group of
>>> > interest is in the minority and has, in effect, little or no clear
>>> > control.
>>> > Here, I am not denying that efforts are being made to increase the
>>> > number of
>>> > disabled academics engaging in emancipatory and related disability
>>> > research.
>>> > I know, because I have benefited from such an opportunity with the
>>> > University of Leeds.
>>> >
>>> > Yet, I beg the questions:
>>> >
>>> > To what extent does disability research which purports to be
>>> > ³emancipatory²
>>> > can end up being a source of further oppression and alienation of
>>> > disabled
>>> > people?
>>> >
>>> > To what extent dubious research can enforce negative attitudes or
>>> > stereotypes?
>>> >
>>> > To what extent does disability research conducted by non-disabled
>>> > people
>>> > actually representing the views of disabled participants who are took
>>> > part
>>> > in the research?
>>> >
>>> > How far can disability research go until it becomes exploitative
>>>rather
>>> > than
>>> > empowering?
>>> >
>>> > Why are disabled people largely absent (it seems) from actual
>>> > involvement
>>> > in disability research and emancipatory disability research in
>>> > particular?
>>> >
>>> > And, perhaps the most controversial question:
>>> >
>>> > Can we have disability research without the active involvement of
>>> > disabled
>>> > people throughout the research process (not just in the data
>>>collection
>>> > phase)?
>>> >
>>> > I am putting these questions out there because as I¹m currently going
>>> > through compiling a report we conducted locally, I find myself asking
>>> > whether I may be, indeed Œhijacking¹ the voices of participants in
>>>the
>>> > process of interpreting the data. And, even if I¹m a disabled person
>>> > myself,
>>> > whether I risk imposing my own values about disability and my
>>>identity
>>> > as a
>>> > disabled person within the interpretation of results.
>>> >
>>> > Hope to read your comments/opinions.
>>> >
>>> > Best,
>>> > Gordon
>>> > Gordon C. Cardona
>>> > BA Hon. (Malta), MA (Leeds)
>>> > ---------------------------
>>> > Contact Info
>>> > Email: [log in to unmask]
>>> > Web: http://www.gordongd.com/
>>> > Join me on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/GordonGT
>>> > Join me on FaceBook @http://www.facebook.com/gordongt
>>> >
>>> > ³If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
>>> > If you want others to be happy, practice compassion²
>>> > HH The 14th Dalai Lama (6 July 1935 - present)
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > ________________End of message________________
>>> >
>>> > This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>>> > Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>>> > (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>>> >
>>> > Enquiries about list administration should be sent to
>>> > [log in to unmask]
>>> >
>>> > Archives and tools are located at:
>>> > www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html
>>> >
>>> > You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web
>>> > page.
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Dr Tsitsi Chataika
>>> Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations
>>> University of Zimbabwe
>>> Faculty of Education
>>> P.O. Box MP167, Mt Pleasant
>>> Harare, Zimbabwe
>>> Cell: +263 774 429 687
>>>
>>> *Quote: It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is:
>>> what
>>> are we busy about? - Henry David Thorea*
>>>
>>> ________________End of message________________
>>>
>>> This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>>> Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>>> (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>>>
>>> Enquiries about list administration should be sent to
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>> Archives and tools are located at:
>>> www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html
>>>
>>> You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web
>>> page.
>>
>> ________________End of message________________
>>
>> This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>> Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>> (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>>
>> Enquiries about list administration should be sent to
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
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>>page.
>>
>
>Dear Jacqui
>
>I totally agree with you Jacqui. I guess I did not talk of grassroots
>empowerent in my previous email. I guess I took it for granted that
>bottom up is the best strategy for ensuring genuine participation of
>marginalised communities in develeopent processes. I strongly believe
>that for marginalised groups to face policy makers and be able to work
>towards social change; they have to be assertive and be able to
>challenge the situation. Empowerment, by the way is not a vaccinne,
>but a process that would enable individuals to self-actualise
>themselves, and be able to claim their rights to participation. So,
>yes, for that to happen, grass roots social change movements coupled
>with change at the policy level are the ingridients necessary for
>inclusive development.
>
>Hope we will be able to work together one day when you decide to
>engage with Africa.
>
>Regards
>
>Tsitsi
>--
>Dr Tsitsi Chataika
>Lecturer, Department of Educational Foundations
>University of Zimbabwe
>Faculty of Education
>P.O. Box MP167, Mt Pleasant
>Harare, Zimbabwe
> Cell: +263 774 429 687
>
>*Quote: It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is:
>what
>are we busy about? - Henry David Thorea*
>
>________________End of message________________
>
>This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for
>Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
>(www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies).
>
>Enquiries about list administration should be sent to
>[log in to unmask]
>
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>
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>page.
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of DISABILITY-RESEARCH Digest - 9 Jun 2012 to 10 Jun 2012 (#2012-139)
>*************************************************************************
>
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