Contested ideas about disability, illness and identity in Sociology and Disability Studies Carol Thomas Centre for Disability Research (CeDR) Lancaster University

Medical Sociology

Social deviance paradigm in medical sociology BUT different theoretical camps did adopt varied moral and political stances: - some were sympathetic to the ‘suffering’ associated with being disabled/deviant in society, while others SHARED in viewing ill and disabled people as ABNORMAL DEVIANTS – people of lesser worth and social value.

Social oppression paradigm in Disability Studies It is society’s view and response to ‘disability’ that creates the problems and barriers that disabled people encounter – whether they have physical, sensory, intellectual or emotional impairments or long-term illnesses.

Social model of disability

Contested ideas Social deviance perspective Coping with loss, suffering, biographical disruption, identity change. Social oppression perspective Challenging disablism: like challenging sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism.

Encourage new ideas….. Intersectionality Experiences Global south and north – picture, Bolivia 2012 Theoretical perspectives e.g. critical disability studies