AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

“disability equates with personal tragedy” (p. xi).
Hotly debated within disability research practice are issues of ownership, involvement
and application. Prominent activists have argued non-disabled researchers should not
seek to pursue an ‘independent’ academic status in regard to disability, which is
probably impossible to achieve, and should seek to work with disabled people to
overcome oppression (Barnes, 1996) and develop theory which aims to tackle
disabling practice (Shakespeare, 1997). In 2003, Barnes evaluated the position of
disability research and suggested much progress had been made over the previous
decade in light of the social model of disability and the emancipatory research
paradigm. However, he also identifies it is not easy for researchers to achieve an
emancipatory position and careful consideration should be made before claiming such
an approach. As Oliver (1997) pointed out
“one cannot ‘do’ emancipatory research” (p.25)
as this can only be retrospectively judged, but one can
“engage as a researcher with those seeking to emancipate themselves” (p.25).
Engaging people with complex communication needs in the research process is
recognised as difficult, especially if they are young (Morris, 2003). Rabiee et al.
(2005) point out there is a growing body of evidence that young people with
communication impairments are willing and keen to be involved and they cite the
Scope report (Morris, 2002) which was produced by people with complex
communication needs. The project identified that people had strengths for
engagement such as: determination, patience, good interpretation skills, being able to
indicate what they need and finding creative ways to express themselves via other
means than speech. Being aware of these issues informed the decisions within the
current research to: use a self-report methodology in the form of interviews, carry out
a pilot investigation to establish if interview topic themes were relevant (Appendix
A), produce inclusive materials (Appendices D & F) and seek feedback to ensure
accurate representation (Appendix J, K and L).
3.2.2. Feminist research principles and disability studies
Wendell (1996) reports how Hannaford (1985) and Fine and Asch (1988) were
influential in bringing feminist analyses to the forefront when looking at the socially
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