The way in which disability is perceived has changed dramatically over the past forty years, with a growing awareness of the need for governments to promote disability rights and societies to become more inclusive of disabled people. The 2006 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has had a particularly galvanising effect on the international disability rights movement. It has also highlighted the need for all development planning to take account of disability issues, as well as raising the profile on disability as an important topic within the field of international development studies.
This module aims to explore historical and current debates around the various perceptions of disability, and to consider their impact on international policy and practice, particularly in the areas of education, health, livelihoods and conflict recovery. The role of disabled people themselves, as well as the organisations that represent them, in shaping these debates and promoting disability rights will be critically examined. The factors that continue to lead to the economic and social exclusion of disabled people will be explored. In particular, the impact of conflicts and disasters on disabled people’s lives, in both the short-term and long-term, will be considered. The module will also examine debates around how to conduct research on disability, with particular reference to ‘participatory’ and ‘emancipatory’ methodologies. Students will be expected to participate in an individual or group case study, exploring disability policy and/or practice in a country of their own choice.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Understand and critically evaluate a range of disability theories and models, and their implications for policy and practice in the areas of education, health and livelihoods and disaster recovery.
Understand be able to discuss the complex relationship between disability and poverty, especially in the Global South.
Critically evaluate the impact of international agreements on the lives of disabled people, with particular reference to the CRPD.
Understand and critically evaluate the impact and limitations of disabled people’s organisations in representing and supporting disabled people.
Understand and critically examine current debates around how to conduct research on disability in developing countries.
Assessment
30565-01 : Assignment 1 - 1500 words : Coursework (30%)
30565-02 : Assignment 2 - 2500 words : Coursework (70%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment:Critical reflection assignment 1,000 words (30%); Essay 2,500 words (70%)
