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Glen Don't know about other points, you are making , but in regards to the "disproportionate number of disabled academics doing disability studies" what do you consider "disproportionate number" ? In my limited perception, in Canada the most important sum of $$, has been allotted under the leadership 3 non disabled academics That is in upcoming research cluster. as far as I can tell the majority of academic in this group are non-disabled, whether we like it or not we all tend to associate with people that are in some way like us or fulfill voids, in the group. . Most non-profit group have non disabled executive directors, I guess it depends in what country you are living However, In comparison, most women studies academics are women even though not a majority identify as feminist or have ever taken women studies courses. I guess academia like elsewhere opportunities, is what counts. Maria ----- Original Message ----- From: "Smith, Glenn (Medsch Hampstead/Mental Health Sciences)" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 7:03 AM Subject: Disabled academics... > Hi All, > > > > A couple of things which maybe of interest to some of you on this list. > > > > First, I am writing an article aimed at the Guardian about disabled (that includes chronic conditions) academics and the problems they still face in entering, maintaining and getting on in their careers as academics, and whether there are a disproportionate number of disabled academics doing disability studies as opposed to other subject areas unrelated to disability and whether this is a healthy trend - if it is a trend or my imagination ! > > > > I recently had to bring this issue up with the ESRC who have funded a great deal of research into disability but admitted that their equal opportunity policy with respect to disabled applicants for research grants needed looking into. > > > > The ESRC (like other grant bodies) are aware that there are still very few disabled academics within UK universities and fewer still researching topics beyond disability as a subject area. I pointed out that while many disabled academics will take great pride in that their work is always judged equally alongside that of able-bodied peers without reference to their disability, the ESRC and others should also recognise that ‘equality’ sometimes has to also mean identifying and accommodating differences that the disabled person ’s impairment makes on their life and career prospects for disability is sometimes experientially different to race, religion and sexuality in that it could be life shortening, career shortening, more financially demanding etc. I felt like with many equal opportunity policies theirs does not acknowledge the reality of some disabilities, and therefore provides only a superficial sense of ‘equality of opportunity’ beyond that of ticking a box in an attempt to fulfil percentage quotas, which is what is in place now. It has always struck me as ironic that despite the aspirations of academia to promote the welfare and inclusion of disabled people through research about them, this is sadly not reflected in the numbers of disabled people employed as research fellows and lecturers. And this needs changing. > > > > So if you have any experiences related to this issue or whether you disagree or agree with the above I would be interested in hearing from you. > > > > Second, I recently had a meeting with the UK Chief Medical Officer about the lack of government policy, help and research on those people who have grown up with a chronic condition. The meeting was positive and he is looking further into this as he agrees that there is still much more that should be done - we shall see! I pointed out that while the government is actively promoting the 'expert patient scheme' this probably has more application to older people then those growing up with a chronic condition. For those, the concerns are more about finance, housing, insurance, employment - all the social aspects of living that we bang on about on this list and rightly so - not how to cope with a condition that they are already expert at coping with over a lifetime. > > > > So, in addition to my meeting with the CMO I am also writing to Gordon Brown to try and take the financial stuff further since there was nothing in the budget on these issues and never is really about living with a chronic condition as an independent young adult growing up with one. If anyone has any experience or comments on this then please also drop me a line. > > > > All the best, > > > > Glenn > > > > Dr Glenn Smith, > > Research Fellow, > > London. > > > > > > > ________________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.