2003 Conference Archive Home
Welcome to the archive of the Inaugural Conference of the Disability Studies Association which took place at Lancaster University on 4-6 September 2003. The conference was entitled Disability Studies: Theory, Policy and Practice and was jointly organised by Lancaster, Leeds and York universities. Disability Studies is concerned with the inter-disciplinary development of an increasing body of knowledge and practice, which has arisen from the activities of the disabled people's movement, and which has come to be known as 'the social model of disability'. The social model of disability locates the changing character of disability, which is viewed as an important dimension of inequality, in the social and economic structure and culture of the society in which it is found, rather than in individual limitations.
Disability Studies seeks to advance teaching, research and scholarship that is concerned with:
- the analysis of disability and the exclusion of disabled people as a social consequence of impairment;
- the identification and development of strategies for fundamental social and political changes that are necessary for the creation of an inclusive society in which disabled people are full participants, and are guaranteed the same rights as non-disabled people.
The conference aims were to bring together people involved in disability studies throughout Europe to share their knowledge and experience of studying disability issues, and to act as the launch pad for a disability studies association in the UK.