Inside the Belly of the Beast:
the social model of disability
and government policy
Jenny Morris
“….. being inside a whale is a very comfortable,
cosy, homelike thought. ….The whale's belly is
simply a womb big enough for an adult. There
you are, in the dark, cushioned space that
exactly fits you, with yards of blubber between
yourself and reality, able to keep up an attitude
of the completest indifference, no matter what
happens”.
George Orwell: Inside the Whale.
“Life Chances” signalled the adoption
of the social model of disability
Disability is defined as
• disadvantage experienced by an
individual resulting from
• Barriers to independent living, education,
employment and other opportunities
• That impact on people with impairments
or ill health.
…and the adoption of disabled
people’s definition of independent living
“All disabled people having the same choice,
control and freedom as any other citizen –
at home, at work, and as members of the
community. This does not necessarily
mean disabled people ‘doing everything
for themselves’, but it does mean that any
practical assistance people need should
be based on their own choices and
aspirations.”
Key influences
• A body of research and evaluations, informed by the
social model of disability, which put forward a definition
of independent living and made the case for policies that
would deliver this aim
• Increasing practical experience of the benefits of giving
individuals choice and control over how their support
needs were met, primarily through direct payments (cash
payments in lieu of community care services), pioneered
and campaigned for by disabled people and their
organisations
• Piloting of self-directed support, using individual budgets,
for people with learning disabilities.
“Life Chances” proposed a new
system of support
Key characteristics of new system:
• Simplified resource allocation system
• Bringing together of different funding streams
• ‘One stop’ assessment and information
• Self assessment
• Individuals have control over budget
• Advocacy or other support if required
• User-led organisations, modelled on Centres for
Independent Living.
Subsequent developments
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Piloting of individual budgets
‘Putting People First’ concordat
Independent Living Strategy
Welfare reform green paper: the ‘right to
control’
Underpinning principles
• Social model of disability: tackling
disabling barriers
• Independent living: choice and control
over assistance/equipment required
• Human and civil rights: removing disabling
barriers and delivering choice and control
> enable self-determination > and
therefore participation and contribution.
Co-production of the ILS
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an Expert Panel, of disabled people, family carers, and
representatives of those responsible for delivering and
inspecting services
workshops to address some specific issues identified as
important by disabled people: transition to adulthood for
young disabled people; older disabled people; advocacy
meetings with people representing particular groups, such
as people with autistic spectrum disorder, people with
mental health support needs, disabled parents, people
with learning disabilities
regional public meetings with disabled people to discuss
emerging policy proposals
case studies based on real life situations.
Independent Living Strategy, 2008
Overall aim is that, by 2013:
• Disabled people (including older disabled
people), who need support to go about their
daily lives will have greater choice and control
over how support is provided
• Disabled people (including older disabled
people) will have greater access to housing,
transport, health, employment, and leisure
opportunities and to participation in family and
community life.
www.officefordisability.gov.uk
A cross government approach
IL Strategy incorporates:
• Lifetime Homes Lifetime Neighbourhoods:
accessible housing; housing advice and
information; rapid repairs service.
• Putting People First: personal budgets; universal
advice, information and advocacy; user-led
organisations.
• Aiming High: person-centred planning and
advocacy for 14-19 year olds – and planned
extension to 19-25 year olds.
A detailed and comprehensive
approach to independent living
For example:
• Commitment to enable choice and control over
continuing healthcare
• National strategy on enabling people to remain in
employment when they acquire an impairment/long-term
health condition or an existing impairment/condition
worsens
• Cross government toolkit on independent living and older
disabled people
• Communication strategy aimed at creating cultural shift
amongst health and social care practitioners
• Enhancing personal mobility options for people for whom
public transport is not an option.
Shared Vision & Outcomes Framework
Vision:
All disabled people will have the same choice, control and freedom
as every other citizen and any support
is based on individuals’ own choices and aspirations
Greater Choice
and Control
Access to housing, education,
employment & transport
opportunities
Participation in family
& community life
Measured through :
Public Service Agreements, National/Local Indicators,
Local Area Agreements, Comprehensive Area Agreements
Monitoring progress
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Annually
In partnership with disabled people
Against a detailed set of outcomes
Consider what more needs to be done in
time for next spending review
• Review the need for legislation.
Limits to progress
• Disabled people are more likely to be
unemployed, living in poverty, living in poor or
unsuitable housing conditions, experience unfair
treatment at work, have fewer qualifications, etc.
• Older disabled people are more likely than either
younger disabled people or non-disabled people
to be on low incomes, socially excluded or
isolated, in poor health, and live in substandard
housing or in institutional care.
Challenges
• Grass roots ideas lose touch with original
intentions when adopted by government
• ‘Marketisation’ of social care services has
disadvantaged disabled people’s
organisations
• No progress on ‘portability’
• Social attitudes towards older disabled
people.