MENTAL HEALTH EXAMINED THROUGH
DISABILITY STUDIES: HOW THEORY
INFORMS SERVICE PROVISION
Outline of Presentation
PART 1
 Brief outline of Disability Studies
 Brief outline of Mad Studies
 The inter-sectionality and tensions
PART 2
 Medical Model – Social Model of Disability
 Drive to normalize
 Stigma
Outline of Presentation
PART 3
 MIND THE GAP
 Common beliefs about Higher Education
 Common beliefs about Madness
PART 4
 Principles of Universal Design as agent of change
Disability Studies
Mad Studies
Born to be Murdered
Inter-sectionality and Tensions
Medical Model – Social Model of
Disability
MEDICAL MODEL
 1. Disability is a deficiency or
abnormality.
 2. Being disabled is negative.
 3. Disability resides in the
individual.
 4. The remedy for disabilityrelated problems is
 cure or normalization of the
individual.
 5. The agent of remedy is the
professional.
SOCIAL MODEL
 1. Disability is a difference.
 2. Being disabled, in itself, is
neutral.
 3. Disability derives from
interaction between the individual
and society.
 4. The remedy for disabilityrelated problems are a change in
the interaction between the
individual and society.
 5. The agent of remedy can be
the individual, an advocate, or
anyone who affects the
arrangements between the
individual and society.
Medical Model – Social Model of
Disability
 Drive to normalize
 Stigma
Common expectations and beliefs
regarding Higher Education
Common expectations and beliefs
regarding Higher Education

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Rationality
Criticality
Presence
Participation
Resistance
Productivity

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Collegiality
Security
Coherence
Truth
Independence
Common Expectations and Beliefs
regarding Madness
Common Expectations and Beliefs
regarding Madness

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Rationality (irrational)
Criticality (jumbled)
Presence (absence)
Participation(silence/
unruly)
 Resistance(negatively
resistant)
 Productivity (lazy)

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Collegiality (quirky/odd)
Security (threat)
Coherence (incoherent)
Truth (chaos)
Independence
(dependent)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrWxPUSJoeg
Principles of Universal Design as
Agent of Change
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
1. Accessibility
2. Flexibility
3. Straightforward and intuitive use
4. Effective and clear instructional methods
5. Supportive learning environment
6. Minimizing unnecessary tasks and requirements
7. Adequate Space
Gordon Dionne, MA
Manager
Access Centre for Students with Disabilities
[email protected]