Monica Dowling

Families with Children with Disabilities - Inequalities and the Social Model

This article suggests that families with children with disabilities experience a range of inequalities that families with children without disabilities do not suffer. It draws on a recent qualitative study to illustrate the way in which it is not just disabled people, but in the case of disabled children, whole families that suffer from unequal opportunities and outcomes. We draw on the social model of disability to show that the lives of these families are often characterised by financial hardship, stress and anxiety as a result of social barriers, prejudices and poorly conceived service provision. The social model of disability is usually drawn upon to illustrate the way in which social organisation disables people with impairments. In this instance, we illustrate the way in which social organisation disables not just the family member who has an impairment but the whole family unit. By applying this model of disability, new ways of creating practices and policies for these families can be developed which incorporate their views into the heart of the policy-making process.

Translating theory into practice? The implications for practitioners and users and carers

This paper examines two very different case scenarios in order to highlight the importance of applying relevant knowledge with and for children, young people and their families. Key issues that are considered in this paper are the ‘fit’ and use of theory in practice. For example: what theoretical perspectives are appropriate in working with children of different ages and sexes, children from different ethnic groups, and children with a wide range of disabilities? How does the professional training and ideology of practitioners from different health and social care backgrounds affect their choice of theory in working with children and families? How do users and carers understand these theoretical perspectives and how are they involved in their own progress?