This module will start by considering historical, social and cross-cultural perspectives on disability and learning difficulties. Government policy initiatives, legislation and resulting welfare responses to disability will be explored with a particular focus on the lived experience of disability.
Disability will be considered across the life course, drawing upon dominant perspectives and the medical and social models. The notion of ‘care’ will be critically examined, including ethical issues, such as the potentially competing rights of carers and disabled people.
Oppression and discrimination will be examined throughout the module, with particular attention to simultaneous oppression, social exclusion and hate crimes.
