MHA 1987

Mental Health Act, 1987.pdf

I am attaching the MHA 1987 (which you MUST read, even if briefly!)

"Criminally dangerous"

Now that we are into comparing ILA 1912 and MHA 1987 (and finding that they are not THAT different), this recent event in Nova Scotia, Canada, may be interesting. The following link would take you to a short (6 mins) radio interview:

 

http://www.cbc.ca/informationmorningns/2012/04/18/balancing-personal-freedom-with-public-safety/

BPS and Social Model

Please read the following two recent articles for class discussion:

 

http://www.dpac.uk.net/2012/04/a-tale-of-two-models-disabled-people-vs-unum-atos-government-and-disability-charities-debbie-jolly/

 

http://jennymorrisnet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/work-capability-assessment-case-of.html

 

Tanmoy

Silent Minority 1981

Since we started with Mental Health today, it might be ineteresting to see this important documentary from 1981:

http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=11524

class on Friday 17th at 2:30 PM

This is to inform all that I will in fact take the DHR class on Friday 17th at 2:30 PM, please inform all who do not have access to this site.

A change in the title and Other matters

The first slide was titled "Problems of Definition", I am changing that to "Difficulty of defining Disability" based on Altman, 2001. The four points in that slide were:

1. Complicated, multidimensional concept due to variety in the nature of the problem


2. Problems of language


3. Confusion and misuse of disability terms and definitions


4. Variety of ideas and form

There was issue regarding point number 3, it shouldn't find place under the earlier title "Problems of Definition" and even under the revised title, it's difficult to see how this point is included. Altman speaks of this point in the context of the existing ways that disability has been defined, namely, based on (i) simple statements (e.g., PwD 1995), (ii) on theoretical models (e.g. UNCRPD 2006), (iii) on classification schemes (e.g. PwD 1995 again), and (iv) on measurements (again PwD 1995). This, according to her, has led to confusion and misuse of disability terms and definitions, "particularly when operationalized measures of disabilities are interpreted and used as definitions".

We decided today to shift this point to the slide titled "Need for Definition" -- but I think it's now not necessary given the clarification as above.

However, point no. 4 seems like a bit of repetaion, although it's subtley different from point no. 1. Variety of ideas and forms has to be understood in the context of points (i) to (iv) in the para above and not to be confused with localized defintion of disability that point 1. refers to.

On Definitions

We have started the Unit on Definitions today -- it's going to be a long and boring unit but one which is important for us to study. Most of the stuff here will be based on Altman 2001.

One lasting metaphor that will help in the long run about the usefulness of definitions is the response to the child's query about what is colour by enumerating colours -- similarly, if we list 7 disabilities in response to what is disability? -- as in PwD 1995 -- then we haven't actually defined disability. It's useful to remember that a definition provides a framework, the disabilities themselves are only examples, examples do not define a concept, they only exemplify.

This is the same pain that research students go through as well when they are starting out, and less commonly, some popular teachers as well, when they prefer providing examples in response to a query in the class, typically, they reason, it's difficult to define a concept without examples. It's perhaps true that a longer lasting learning takes place when examples are provided but it's also equally true (and important) that we exercise our mind in thinking abstractly about concepts and structures. Examples will surely follow.

Institutionalisation

We talked about UPIAS -- "Against Segregation" -- in relation to Paul Hunt's essay. Well, here is a report of something not too far away in time: Beitiks, Emily Smith.  "The Ghosts of Institutionalization at Pennhurst's Haunted Asylum," The Hastings Center Report 42(1) (Jan-Feb 2012):  22-24:

hast10.pdf

Paul Hunt Haunts Again!

Yes, anyone remotely connected to Disability must -- and I repeat -- MUST know about the article entitled "A CriticalCondition" by Paul Hunt, published in 1966. That is how this semester's DHR course also begins. At the outset, it is important to established the background to this seminal paper; according to me, there are three broad reasons why this paper is important:

1. It is the beginning of the social model (in the UK)


2. It is the inspiration for the formation of UPIAS and therefore, the Rights-Based movement


3. It also sets the agenda for Disability Studies programmes totake wings

As far as the "type" of research envisaged by this paper, one should consider the following:

• Reflexive research


• Disability first language use

However, the most important lesson this article affords us is not about disability but about te following:

• LIFE !!

Anyway,here is a copy of the aticle for anyone to read or re-read:

Hunt.pdf

Welcome Back!

The January-May 2012 version of the Disability and Human Rights course is in progress now. Although this site is more meaningful for the current participants of the short-term certificate course, many past participants have been now added as subscribers to this course-site; it is obviously a pleasure to welcome them back!

Details about the course, including the readings, can be found from the appropriate links to the right. The highlight of this semester's course will be a new section on the new law; all the other usual units will be taught as before. Given past experiences, the field work based project work must start early for it to have any meaning at the end of the semester barely 4 months away.