The Australian Disability Rights Movement: freeing the power of advocacy
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1999
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Melbourne Authors
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Arts: School of Social Work
School of Social Work
School of Social Work
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Masters Research thesis
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Cooper, M. (1999). The Australian Disability Rights Movement: freeing the power of advocacy, Masters Research thesis, School of Social Work, University of Melbourne.
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Deposited with permission of the author. © 1999 Margaret Cooper
Abstract
The Australian Disability Rights Movement (ADRM) developed slowly during the century, with a major spurt of growth in the 1980’s, resulting in the formation of two national advocacy organisations controlled by people with disabilities. This thesis uses the insider perspective of the researcher, feminist research methodology, review of relevant theory, and the views of self-selected board members to explore the history and common themes of the ADRM, and the relationship of these organisations to social change. Theoretical sources have been explored concerning past and present status of people with disabilities, new social movements, and second wave feminism.
Participants identifies individual experiences of disability and most felt the formation of such collective action groups had positive effects on social change. Respondents named major significant events in the achievement of disability rights, most naming the development of the two national organisations Disabled People’s International (Australia) (DPI(A) and Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) as essential to positive outcomes.
Sexism was experienced by most women involved in the more traditional organisation. This, and recognition of feminism, gave impetus to the formation of WWDA.
Opinion was divided about the best way the disability movement could continue without a peak body for both genders. The movement was perceived as ongoing, but less organised in its confrontation of challenges to the citizenship of people with disabilities posed by social and economic changes and governments’ weakening of the concept of advocacy.
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Australian Disability Rights Movement, history, people with disabilities, services for Australians, social aspects