From DISABILITY into ABILITY: experience-based learning in real context

The theme of this course involved two concepts, which are relevant to be analysed, in order to guarantee that we all understand each other. Definitions are useful for mutual understanding and also these seem to be able to influence the way non-disabled people respond to disabled people. Since in this course we are health and/or social professionals and therefore advocates for our clients’, this becomes even more relevant.

If on one hand it is rather simple to find several definitions of disability in scientific literature, but rather difficult to find a definition of ability; on the other, looking at a regular dictionary, the concept of ability is rather explicit and that of disability too simple.

For example, according to the Marriem Webster Dictionary ability is the power or skill to do something, and disability is a condition of being unable to do something in a “normal” way. But what is the normal way of doing something? Can you describe what is the normal way to walk? To write? To take the bus? Looking into scientific literature, namely the concept adopted by the World Health Organization through the ICF (2004) “disability as an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Disability refers to the negative aspects of the interaction between individuals with a health condition (such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, depression) and personal and environmental factors (such as negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation and public buildings, and limited social supports)”. This concept is now much closer to that proposed by people who experience a disability (Northern Officers Group-Equity Unit) who suggest disability as the loss or limitation of opportunities in social participation on an equal level with others, due to social and environmental barriers.

In fact, the shift from disability being a personal problem of someone who has one of its functions performing in a different way to it being the consequence of social interaction places a greater emphasis on the organizational, social and cultural barriers, rather than the individual him/her self. Barriers suggested both by people experiencing disabilities and health professionals are, for example: segregated social provision; inflexible organizational procedures and practices; inaccessible information, buildings, transport and negative cultural representations.

As health and social care professionals, we need to step away from the disability and focus on how to create opportunities for people to use their abilities. The aim of this course is therefore to create an opportunity for students to reflect on their role as enablers of abilities and potential, at an individual level, as well as their role in eliminating/diminishing social and organizational barriers.

The international module is validated with 4 ECTS-credits.

This is a b-learning course with a Distance Learning Module – 1 ECTS (This module aims to prepare the students for the intensive period, later in Setúbal); and an Intensive presence Module – 3 ECTS (6 intensive work days).

All participants receive a ‘transcript of record’ at the end of the course. The certificate gives the ECTS-credits and the ECTS-grades. Students can transfer the credits to their curriculum or can add this to their portfolio. The process of accreditation of these credits is the responsibility of the home institution.

The working language will be English.