Upload
marek
View
69
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Disability Studies A Nordic Perspective. Disability Studies Conference Lancaster, July 2004 Rannveig Traustadóttir Faculty of Social Science University of Iceland [email protected]. Disability Studies A Nordic Perspective. Overview The Nordic context - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Disability StudiesA Nordic Perspective
Disability Studies ConferenceLancaster, July 2004
Rannveig TraustadóttirFaculty of Social Science
University of Iceland [email protected]
Disability StudiesA Nordic Perspective
Overview The Nordic context Nordic Disability Studies/Disability Research
Similarities and difference with UK Disability studies
Is there a Nordic model of disability? Understanding disability Theoretical approaches
The social model of disability from a Nordic perspective
Disability studies as a field Future of Nordic - UK connections
The Nordic Context Five Nordic countries
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway & Sweden
Three self-governing regions Åland Islands, Faeroe Islands & Greenland
Lapland - Sami people in the North Crossing Norway, Sweden, Finland & North
Russia
Nordic Situatedness andPolitics of Location
How do we handle our located situatedness? Empirical research
located in own country lessons from others lessons for others
Domination of UK and USA important contributions dominating and generalized
Non–English/ Non–UK/USA must decide if we locate us or generalize problems of language and translations
Disability & Disability Studies in the Nordic Countries
Historical and political context 1960s/70s Citizenship and equality – basic principles and
values of the welfare state The principle of normalization was formulated in
the Nordic countries Disabled people’s movement Independent living movement Welfare provisions and human rights should be
extended to all, including disabled people
Disability & Disability Studies in the Nordic Countries?
Historical and political context 1960s/70s Critique of institutions – unacceptable living
conditions and human rights violations Critique of medical understanding of disability Society and the environment should be be
changed so disabled people could participate ‘Environmental turn’ - The focus shifted from the
individual as the sole problem to include the social context
Top down reforms
NNDRNordic Network on Disability Research
1992 FUN, Forskning om utveklingshemming I Norden (Nordic Intellectual Disability Research)
1997 NNDR, Nordic Network on Disability Research
1999 SJDR, Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
Nordic Disability Research
From NNDR Statutes
NNDR is a multidisciplinary network of disability researchers interested in cultural, societal and environmental dimensions of disability and marginalization.
The purpose and intention of NNDR is to promote and advance research and development in the field of disability.
Nordic Disability Research cont…
From NNDR Statutes cont…
NNDR provides a forum for disability researchers, particularly from the Nordic countries, to meet, present, and discuss their research, as well as encouraging Nordic and international exchange and collaboration.
UK Disability Studies
From Lancaster 2004 conference
Disability Studies is concerned with the inter-disciplinary development of an increasing body of knowledge and practice, which has arisen from the activities of the disabled people’s movement, and which has come to be known as ‘the social model of disability.’
UK Disability Studies cont…
From Lancaster conference cont.
The social model of disability locates the changing character of disability, which is viewed as an important dimension of inequality, in the social and economic structure and culture of the society in which it is found, rather than in individual limitations.
Two Major Differences UK focus:
Disability Studies
The social model of disability
Nordic focus: Disability Research
No one single theory or model of disability
Is there a Nordic Model of Disability?
No one single way or approach but a ‘family of ideas’
The Nordic relational model/approach Three main characteristics
Disability is a person-environment mismatch (relationship/relational)
Disability is situational or contextual Disability is relative
(Tøssebro 2002, 2004)
Understanding of Disability in the Nordic Countries
Issues of Language ‘Disability’ is an umbrella term for groups of
people with different impairments No unity within the Nordic countries about
language use The distinction between ‘disability’ and
‘impairment’ does not translate well into Nordic languages
‘Disabled people’ or ‘People with disabilities’ The term ‘disability studies’ is also difficult to
translate into some Nordic languages
Nordic Disability Studies Many disability scholars Many disability focused courses
Single courses as part of other programs (social work, education, …)
Few disability studies programs - but are being developed – mostly MA programs
Doctoral students in many fields focus their work on disability
Not a clear definition of ‘disability studies’ DS and ‘traditional’ disability focused
programs (rehab., special ed., …)
Theoretical Development in Nordic Disability Research
Most Nordic Disability research has been practical empirical policy oriented research
------------------------------------------------ Main characteristics (Gustavsson 2004) Non-theoretical approaches
The reformer’s perspective (‘does-it-work’ approach)
Personal experiences (‘Experience-near perspectives’)
Theoretical Development in Nordic Disability Research
Three main theoretical perspectives Essentialist perspectives
Individual essentialism – the clinical model Contextual essentialism – the social model
Constructionist perspectives Linguistic constructionism Cultural constructionism
Relative interactionist perspective The most Nordic – originates in 1960s/70s as
an alternative to the more individual, essential definitions of disability
Theoretical Development in Nordic Disability Research
Relative interactionist perspective Takes the relative definition of disability
seriously Emphasizes a multi level approach and
analysis Empirical sensitivity Different versions of the relative
interactionist perspective can be identified
Approaches to Disability in the Nordic Countries
Given the most common understanding of disability and the theoretical approaches in Nordic disability research there is a firm believe that no one theory,
approach, method or model can bring all the answers
instead we must employ multiple ways and approaches - and keep looking for new ones
the complexity of human existence calls for multiple and complex methods and approaches
UK Social Model of Disability and the Nordic Countries UK social model has received much attention
among Nordic scholars, disabled people and professionals
The social model is in line with dominant understanding of disability in the Nordic countries
Has worked to re-vitalize and radicalize discussions and debates
Liberating for disabled people Has directed Nordic attention to UK Disability
Studies
UK Social Model of Disability and the Nordic Countries
The ‘disability’ – ‘impairment’ debate is confusing and not easily understandable in the Nordic lands
Which social model? Is there one social model? Linking DS to one model is difficult for
Nordic scholars to relate to Has been criticized by Nordic scholars
UK and Nordic Disability StudiesSimilarities and Differences Social and environmental emphasis Commitment to disability rights political agenda - and
activism Disabled researchers Links to disabled people and
the disabled people’s movement Theoretical perspectives Issues of accessibility Two major contributions
Nordic: Normalization UK: Social model of disability
International influence
Disability Studies
Belongs to a group of ‘new’ multidisciplinary fields, e.g. Feminist/women’s/gender studies Lesbian and gay/queer studies Ethnic minority studies
Disability Studies and Other Multidisciplinary Fields of Study
Similarities Roots in social movements aimed to end
oppression and marginalization Scholarship and activism Opposition to hegemonic normalcy Critique of dominant theories Challenging key concepts Development of new methodologies The biological and the social Essentialism and constructivism And much more …
Disability Studies and Other Multidisciplinary Fields of Study
Differences At least one significant difference between DS
and the other fields: Society has put in place service industry to ‘deal with’ disabled people and devotes much resources to it
Other differences How big is the group in question The individual’s relationship to the group Historical, social and cultural context And more…
Disability Studies and Other Multidisciplinary Fields of Study
What can DS learn from the other fields? How did they start and develop? Why are some flourishing and others
experiencing backlash? Historical and cultural contexts Place in the academy (disciplinary affiliation,
independent programs or integrated courses) ‘Fragmentation’ of the fields Survival strategies
Nordic – UK Future Collaboration NNDR has made conscious efforts to
connect with UK disability scholars Exciting ideas, debates, sophisticated theorizing,
innovative methods, etc. Geographical neighbors Many similarities, social, cultural, political, etc.
From a Nordic perspective these connections have been wonderful;
challenging, expanding, fruitful and inspiring on a scholarly level - and
very rewarding on a personal level
Nordic - UK Future Collaboration
NNDR efforts Working language of NNDR is English NNDR conferences are in English SJDR is an English language journal English language series on Nordic
disability research is being published We invite, encourage, welcome and
respect multiple and various perspectives
Nordic - UK Future Collaboration and Contacts
Next NNDR conferenceOslo, Norway
April 14 – 16, 2005http://www.sell.hil.no.nndr2005
orhttp://www.nndr.dk
We welcome people from the UK and other countries
References
Gustavsson, A. (2004). The role of theory in disability research: Springboard or strait-jacket? Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, Special Issue: Understanding Disability. 6(1), 55-70.
Tøssebro, J. (2002). Leaving the individual out: Practical and logical problems. Paper presented at a Plenary Symposium “Understanding disability: The UK Social Model and the Nordic Relational Approach” at the 6th NNDR Conference, Disability Research, Theory and Practice, 22 – 24 August, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Tøssebro, J. (2004). Understanding disability: Introduction to the special issues of SJDR. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, Special Issue: Understanding Disability. 6(1), 3 – 7.