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Sport coaches as policy actors: an investigation of the interpretation and enactment of disability and inclusion policy in swimming in Victoria Australia

HAMMOND, Andrew M
PENNEY, Dawn
JEANES, Ruth
2019

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This paper draws upon education policy sociology, and sport coaching literature, in critically examining sport coaches as policy actors. Stephen Ball and colleagues’ conceptualisation of different policy actor positions and roles provided the framework for research that investigated how eight professional swimming coaches in Victoria, Australia, interpreted and enacted disability and inclusion policy. A discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews with the eight coaches reveals the complexities associated with how and why different coaches interpret and enact disability and inclusion policy imperatives in different ways in their specific club contexts. Data are presented that shows coaches adopting multiple and hybrid policy actor positions and roles as disability and inclusion policy was interpreted, translated and ultimately, expressed as pedagogic rules and practices. Our discussion brings to the fore questions about power, agency and control in coaching, while highlighting both limits and possibilities for the enactment of inclusive disability sport policies by swimming coaches working in Victoria, Australia. In conclusion we suggest that this research illustrates that coaches are capable of enacting social change, and have some agency to do so, but at the same time appear constrained by established discourses that shape policy and give important direction to pedagogic practice. We advocate that further in-depth research is required into the coaching policy-practice nexus, particularly as it relates to the advancement of equity and inclusion.

Problematizing ‘productive citizenship’ within rehabilitation services: insights from three studies

FADYL, Joanna K
TEACHMAN, Gail
HAMDANI, Yani
March 2019

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Background: The idea that everyone should strive to be a ‘productive citizen’ is a dominant societal discourse. However, critiques highlight that common definitions of productive citizenship focus on forms of participation and contribution that many people experiencing disability find difficult or impossible to realize, resulting in marginalization. Since rehabilitation services strive for enablement, social participation, and inclusiveness, it is important to question whether these things are achieved within the realities of practice. Our aim was to do this by examining specific examples of how ‘productive citizenship’ appears in rehabilitation services.

 

Methods: This article draws examples from three research studies in two countries to highlight instances in which narrow understandings of productive citizenship employed in rehabilitation services can have unintended marginalizing effects. Each example is presented as a vignette.

 

Discussion: The vignettes help us reflect on marginalization at the level of individual, community and society that arises from narrow interpretations of ‘productive citizenship’ in rehabilitation services. They also provide clues as to how productive citizenship could be envisaged differently. We argue that rehabilitation services, because of their influence at critical junctures in peoples’ lives, could be an effective site of social change regarding how productive citizenship is understood in wider society.

Post school transition : the experiences of students with disability

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIA (CDA)
December 2015

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The transition from school is an important period. All young people should be supported throughout this time to access options which allow them to meaningfully participate and contribute to our society as adults. Many young people with disability however have extremely poor post school transition experiences.

This report is based on the direct experience of young people with disability. The paper highlights key issues from current research, legislation and consultations with key stakeholders. It explores present and past school transition practices, barriers faced by students with disability and presents recommendations for improving outcomes and options for post school transition of students with disability

Twenty-five years of Community Living: Changes in Support Staff Perceptions

Wark, Stuart
Bleechmore, Kathleen
2015

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Purpose: The attitudes of support staff towards people with intellectual disability can greatly impact upon an individual’s quality of life and level of social inclusion. However, there are few studies that examine how perceptions and beliefs have changed within one organisation over the past few decades; a period during which there have been major social and government policy changes including deinstitutionalisation, inclusive education and the introduction of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In conjunction with a 25th anniversary review of a community-living project in rural Australia, the current research replicated a study from 1987 that examined attitudes of staff with respect to people with intellectual disability, and thematically compared the findings of the two questionnaires.

 

Method: In 1987, a purpose-designed questionnaire was developed and completed by 15 direct care staff. This 10-item tool asked for basic demographic information and for the participants’ perceptions of people with intellectual disability and their own work roles in the disability sector. This tool was replicated in 2013 and was again completed by 15 direct care staff from the same organisation.

 

Results: The thematic analysis indicated a number of differences between the 1987 and 2013 cohorts in regard to their attitudes. The wide acceptance of the rights of people with intellectual disability was one key change. There was an age separation found within the 2013 cohort, with older participants (> 50 years of age) more likely to display similar attitudes to the 1987 group than the younger participants (<30 years old). Dealing with the problem of ageing-related issues, something that was not obvious 25 years ago, was now considered of major importance. There was evidence that disability support was increasingly recognised as a valid career choice, with a substantial difference in motivation found between the two age groups. Across both cohorts, direct exposure to the realities of the job was seen to be the best training for new employees.

 

Conclusions: The past 25 years have seen positive developments in both social acceptance and expectations for people with disabilities. Individuals are now viewed in a realistic but more positive light. As an exemplar of this change, concerns about individuals entering a consenting sexual relationship have changed dramatically, and what was once an issue of major concern is now no longer raised. While the training provided to staff has changed significantly over the past 25 years, on-the-job exposure to people with intellectual disability, combined with support from peers, is still perceived as vital for developing a quality support network.

‘Nowhere to be found’: disabled refugees and asylum seekers within the Australian resettlement landscape

SOLDATIC, Karen
SOMERS, Kelly
BUCKLEY, Amma
FLEAY, Caroline
2015

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Australia has long placed restrictions on the immigration of people with disabilities. While recent civil society mobilisation has forced some shift in policy, it is far from clear whether this will result in people with disabilities being accepted as immigrants. The issue is complicated further for people defined as ‘refugees’ and ‘asylum seekers’ who have encountered the migration restrictions on disability. As a result of this policy landscape, there is limited rigorous research that seeks to understand the social inclusion and participation of disabled refugees and asylum seekers within the resettlement process. An extensive review reveals that refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities remain largely absent from both resettlement literature and disability research. This paper summarises the limited available research in the area around the following themes: processes of offshore migration and the way that disability is assessed under Australia’s refugee legislation; the uncertainty of the prevalence of disability within refugee and asylum seeker communities; the provision of resettlement services, both mainstream and disability-specific, through the transitional period and beyond; and the invisibility of asylum seekers with disabilities in Australia’s immigration detention centres, community-based arrangements and offshore processing centres. To conclude, the paper outlines implications for further research, policy and practice in the Australian context.

 

Disability and the Global South (DGS), 2015, Vol. 2 No. 1

Triple jeopardy : gender-based violence and human rights violations experienced by women with disabilities in Cambodia

ASTBURY, Jil
WALJI, Fareen
January 2013

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This paper presents the findings of a "participatory research project, developed collaboratively between Australian and Cambodian partners, (that) investigated prevalence and experiences of gender-based violence of women with disabilities in comparison to women without disabilities; assessed the extent to which existing policies and programs include or address women with disabilities; and explored how women with disabilities are supported or denied access to existing programs"
AusAID Research Working Paper 1

Triple jeopardy : violence against women with disabilities in Cambodia|Research policy brief

ASTBURY, Jil
WALJI, Fareen
Eds
2013

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This policy brief paper presents an overview of a participatory research project developed collaboratively between Australian and Cambodian partners that sought to provide comparative information about the lives of women with disabilities and those without in Cambodia. Information is provided about the experience of violence, barriers to disclosure and services, policy directions, and policy and program recommendations
AusAID Research policy brief

Intellectual disability and aboriginal Australians : training needs for psychiatrists

ROY, Meera
BALARATNASINGAM, Sivasankaran
May 2011

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This article highlights that Aboriginal Australians have relatively high rates of intellectual disability, which might be due to poor health and social disadvantage. Given populations with high rates of intellectual disability are more at risk of developmental disorders and mental ill health, the authors explore the training needs for psychiatrists working with indigenous people and how they can be met
International Psychiatry, Vol 8, No 2

Hansen's disease recoverers as agents of change : a case study in Japan

HOSODA, Miwako
March 2010

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"This manuscript addresses the role and contribution of people affected by Hansen's disease (leprosy), especially through the efforts of Zen-Ryo-Kyo, the National Hansen's Disease Sanatoria Residents' Association, in changing laws and attitudes in Japan since the 1950's. Health social movements are discussed in the Japanese context and more broadly. An important contribution of this manuscript is the explanatory description of the activities of Zen-Ryo-Kyo in achieving change through addressing issues related to social stigma and discrimination"
Leprosy Review, Vol 81, Issue 1

Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities : advocacy toolkit

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION GROUP FOR MINE ACTION
et al
July 2008

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This advocacy toolkit provides field practitioners with a user-friendly overview of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) and with a set of questions and answers that will enable them to introduce the main elements to counterparts. It explains how states can become party to the CRPD and provides a model tool for addressing government ministers. The toolkit includes useful guidelines for interactions with journalists, and provides a list of organisations engaged with the rights of persons with disabilities and a useful list of resources. It is designed to support efforts by United Nations-managed and supported mine action centres to advocate for the ratification and implementation of the CPRD and its Optional Protocol. This toolkit is useful for field practitioners to guide their efforts to encourage CRPD ratification and to contribute to CRPD implementation and monitoring

Exclusion of disabled people from microcredit in Africa and Asia : a literature study

CRAMM, J M FINKENFLUGEL, H
2008

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People with disabilities are barred from microcredit schemes. A literature search on the participation of people with disabilities in microcredit schemes resulted in 16 documents. The statements, recommendations and generalisations in these documents are not supported with strong evidence and are 'expert opinions' at best. Inclusion of people with disabilities within institutional schemes and self-helping schemes is recommended throughout the world. However, these seem most affected by excluding mechanisms and inclusion numbers lag behind. The absence of people with disabilities from these two schemes makes them a less attractive option. To fulfil the current needs of people with disabilities; ad-hoc schemes should continue and even expand their work. The pragmatic solution is to work with the available resources in order to change the situation of people with disabilities.

Listen to our stories : words, pictures, and songs by young people with disabilities

HILLYER, Linda
2008

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Listen to Our Stories highlights poetry, essays, interviews, songs, journal writing, letters, and pictures that tell the personal stories of young people with disabilities. The contributors are young girls and boys aged 5 to 21, from varied backgrounds, different talents and a range of disabilities. This website may be useful to anyone interested in personal life stories and experiences, written or told by children and young adults with disabilities

Forgotten sisters : recognising and responding to domestic violence in the lives of women with disabilities

DOWSE, Leanne
PARKINSON, Annie
November 2007

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This report outlines the lack of recognition of disabled women in Australia. It highlights the lack of support services for disabled women faced with domestic violence and how services can better respond to their needs
Domestic Violence, Disability and Cultural Safety National Forum 2007 "Diverse and Inclusive Practice: Redrawing the Boundaries"
Brighton-Le-Sands, NSW, Australia
8-9 Nov 2007

Disability and deafness, in the context of religion, spirituality, belief and morality, in Middle Eastern, south Asian and east Asian histories and cultures : annotated bibliography

MILES, M
July 2007

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This bibliography introduces and lists 450 resources, across the beliefs, religions and cultures of the Middle East and much of Asia, from antiquity to the present. More specifically, it annotates modern and historical materials in translation, that are relevant to disability, mental health issues and deafness.It would be useful for anyone interested in religion and culture as they relate to disability in society

Inclusion of persons with disabilities in China

GUOZHONG, Eric Zhang
2006

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This article presents a situation analysis of disability in China. Over the last few years the conditions of over 60 million persons with disabilities in China have progressively improved, but they remain a vulnerable group often excluded in the transition processes currently taking place in the country. The paper analyses the legislative framework and explore how inclusion is promoted in areas such as education, employment, housing and culture

HIV/AIDS and the public sector workforce : an action guide for managers

RAU, Bill
2004

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The guide is designed for human resource managers, employee welfare managers, medical officers and labor representatives in government ministries and agencies. It will assist in designing and developing prevention, care, and support programmes, and in mitigating the effect of staff losses due to AIDS in the public workplace. It includes information on the effects of HIV on the public sector, the components of prevention, care and support programmes and policies in the public sector, methods to gain the support of senior management and employees for HIV/AIDS workplace programmes and policies, background information on the disease, and country experiences

AIDS discrimination in Asia

ASIA PACIFIC NETWORK OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (APN+)
2004

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Study of the discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. The study generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Its findings indicate that AIDS-related discrimination is prevalent in every sector of society. Age and educational background do not affect the level of discrimination faced, but sex, state of health and marital status do. Women are more likely than men to experience discrimination within the family and community because of their HIV status

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